The tree of liberty must be planted immediately!-, James Gillray, 1797

The tree of liberty (cf. Bmsat 9214), often (in fact) a pole surmounted by a bonnet-rouge, is here a pike on which is the bleeding head of fox, the eyes covered by a cap inscribed 'libertas'. Round the base of the pike and on a grassy mound are heaped the heads of the foxites. The six heads at the base of the pile are (left to right): thelwall, a little apart from the others; beside him is a paper: 'lectures upon the fall of the republic by j. Thelwall' (see bmsat 8685); against his head lies the blade of a headsman's axe; derby (in 'profil perdu'), lauderdale, stanhope, m. A. Taylor, and hanger. The two central heads are erskine and sheridan; next the latter is horne tooke. Behind, and forming the apex of the pile, are the head of (?) grey [incorrectly identified in wright and evans as wilkes. It is possible that the head here identified as grey is byng, and that identified as bedford is grey. ] in profile to the left and the handsome head of (?) bedford. In the background are clouds, and below (right) the top of a hill. The title continues: 'this is the "something which must be done \ "and that quickly too! to save the country from destruction - vide sentiments [toasts] of whig club feby 14th 1797 - ' cf. Bmsat 8996. 16 february 1797 hand-coloured etching. Date: 1797. Dimensions: Height: 355 mm; ; Width: 251 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Francis Russell, 5th Duke of Bedford. Collection: British Museum. The tree of liberty must be planted immediately!- (BM 1868,0808.6594)