Patriots amusing themselves;-or Swedes practising at a post., James Gillray, 1792

Fox (right) kneels in profile to the left, firing point-blank from a blunderbuss at a post which roughly suggests george iii in back view: it is surmounted by a short wig and a hunting-cap decorated with the royal arms; round a protuberance simulating posteriors a circle is drawn with a bull's-eye at which fox is firing. He is much caricatured, with large head and short fat legs; he wears a slouch hat with the inscription 'ca-ira', and has a pleased and sinister smile. Behind him priestley (left) and sheridan (right) face each other in profile with conspiratorial smiles. Sheridan is ramming the barrel of a pistol, saying, "well! this new game is delightful! - o heavens! if i could but once pop the post!!! then you and me, - dear brother p, - would sing with glee, - full merrily ca-ira! ca-ira! ca-ira!" priestley holds out to him two books: "on the glory of revolution and on the folly of religion & order", saying, "here's plenty of wadding for to ram down the charge with, to give it force, & to make a loud report. " 19 april 1792 hand-coloured etching. Date: 1792. Dimensions: Height: 250 mm; Width: 343 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Charles James Fox. Collection: British Museum. Patriots amusing themselves;-or Swedes practising at a post. (BM 1868,0808.6183)