Fox and north stand outside a high door under a stone arch, stretching out their arms to receive an enormous bunch of grapes which the duke of portland, who looks over the door, is handing down to them. He is saying "take it between ye". On the keystone of the arch is portland place. [portland place is, of course, a punning allusion to portland, the new prime minister. It was then recently built, having been designed by the adam brothers about 1778. Lord stormont, president of the council in the new ministry, was living at no. 15. ]
fox (left) has a fox's head with bushy eyebrows. He has grasped the bunch in both hands and is taking a great bite at the grapes; north (right) stands on tip-toe but is not touching the grapes. Beneath the title is etched:
"says the badger to fox,
we're in the right box,
these grapes are most charming & fine;
dear badger you're right,
hold them fast squeeze them tight,
and we'll drink of political wine. " 3 april 1783
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1783. Dimensions: Height: 360 mm; Width: 253 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Charles James Fox. Collection: British Museum. The Lord of the Vineyard. (BM 1851,0901.130)
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