A design in two compartments. [1] (left) fox, indicated by his fox's head, and the brush which replaces the queue of his wig, is squatting down, his hands clasped; three obsequious men surround him. One (right) offers him a chamber-pot decorated with the royal arms. One standing behind holds in both hands a smoking receptacle. The third (left) kneels supporting fox by one hand, while he licks his right forefinger. Beneath is etched:
"when the ministers in, how subservient his friends,
they'll wipe his backside, to obtain their own ends. Hold the pot of convenience, their fingers will lick,
and at no dirty work, you will e'er find them stick. "
[2] lord north, standing, his arms outstretched in dismay is being insulted by the three sycophants of the companion design. One (right) holds him by his garter ribbon, while he pours the contents of the chamber-pot over his head. Another empties his receptacle on north's head, the third holds a piece of paper to his face. Beneath is etched:
"yet change but the scene; shew him once out of place,
and the stink pots they'll empty direct in his face;
'tis the post, not the person, they worship you find,
and when out of office, they're soon out of mind. "
in both designs the floor is flagged and the background is a panelled wall. Reprinted 'g. W. G. ', 1830. 22 april 1782
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1782. Dimensions: Height: 224 mm; Width: 321 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Charles James Fox. Collection: British Museum. The Minister In. The Minister Out (BM 1851,0901.74)
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