The tree of liberty, – with, the devil tempting john bull: a caricature by james gillray, showing charles james fox as satan, tempting john bull with the rotten fruit of the opposition tree of liberty. John's pockets are already full with the golden apples of the loyalist tree in the background. Round a bare and decayed oak tree is twined a serpent with the head of fox; he holds a damaged apple inscribed "reform" to john bull, who is fat and his pockets bulge with golden apples. The trunk of the tree is "opposition"; its roots are: envy, ambition, disappointment. Each rotten apple has an inscription: democracy, treason, slavery, etc. In the background is an oak in full leaf: its trunk is "justice", the roots commons, king, lords, the branches laws and religion. From it hangs a crown surrounded by apples, some inscribed freedom, happiness, security. 1 print: etching, hand-colored. London: pubd. By h. Humphrey, 1798 may 23d. Date: 23 May 1798.
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