Fox and north seated on an alehouse bench, singing a rollicking song, holding between them a two-handled tankard of beer. Fox (left) sits full-face looking towards north; in his right hand is a pen, his left holds one handle of the tankard. North (right) sits behind a solid oblong table on which are writing materials, he flourishes a rolled paper inscribed "express. . " in his left hand; his right holds the tankard. He turns his head in profile to the left, blowing a borean blast at the froth on the tankard, making it run down the pot, obscuring the crown and the "g. " of the "g. R. " inscribed on it. The froth falls on to a "westminster petition" which lies on the table. The words of the catch are in labels issuing from the mouths of the singers. Fox sings,
"bring every flow'r that can be got
pinks hyacynihs & roses,
we two will drink out of one pot
and fuddle both our noses. "
north sings,
"with treasury juice the pot shall foam
for reynard & for n-----h
the people still may wish for some
and they shall have - the froth. "
fox is laughing and carefree, north scowls with the effort of blowing at the froth. Grego, 'gillray', p. 48. 2 may 1783
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1783. Dimensions: Height: 240 mm; Width: 320 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Charles James Fox. Collection: British Museum. The Rt Honble catch singers. (BM 1851,0901.139)
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