Two horizontal strips each divided by vertical lines into rectangular compartments of varying width, numbered 1-5 and 6-10, depicting the coalition and its fall. 1. Vox populi out of doors. Fox (right), as a fox wearing a coat, stands on a platform haranguing the mob, a small crowd of men and women (left). His platform is little more than a large four-legged stool; behind him stands a man dressed like the zanies who accompanied the quack doctors who hawked their wares in public places, such as dr. Bossy, who used to put up his platform in covent garden, the scene of fox's oratory. The background is part of the portico of covent garden church, the scene of westminster elections. 2. First coalition. North (left) and fox, with a fox's head (right), stand in profile facing each other, clasping hands. North's left hand is held behind his back, in it he holds strings attached to the neck of sheep standing behind him; these are "country gentlemen", cf. Bmsat 6243. Fox similarly holds in his right hand the strings attached to a flock of geese, inscribed "wesr geese", representing the electors of westminster or the populace, cf. Bmsat 5843, &c. 3. Vox populi - in doors. Fox (left), with a fox's head, haranguing with clenched fists an audience (right) seated under the pillars supporting the roof of a rotunda. On the roof minute figures stand or lean over to see the orator. 4. Emblem of liberty. Fox, with a fox's head and brush, kneels on one knee before a fire which he is feeding. In its centre is a stake, on the top of which is a cap of liberty. Attached to the stake is a large rolled document with a pendant seal inscribed "india charter". See also bmsat 6207. For the india bill see bmsat 6271, &c. 5. New state idol. North (left) and fox (right) stand pressed together on a low rectangular pedestal inscribed "power". Fox is depicted as a fox, coat which fox has worn in the first four designs is buttoned round both of them, the sleeves hanging limp. On the ground (right) is a crown and sceptre. 6. Political montgolfier. A parti-coloured balloon suspended in the air, from its summit protrudes the head of a fox. Below is the word "ascending". For balloons see bmsat 6333, &c. 7. His fall into the pitt. From a balloon, the lower part only of which is visible, a fox is falling headlong. Beneath him on the ground is a circular hole, representing the ministry of pitt which is about to engulf him. 8. The coalition candidates rejected. Britannia seated (right), with her spear and shield, turns her head from fox and north who stand together (left), north's right arm round fox's shoulders. Fox has a fox's head, brush, and hind-legs. By britannia is a bust of george iii. She points in disdain to the couple, who seem to be appealing for her support. On the sky-line (left) behind fox is a gibbet. Above britannia's head is a sun sending out rays. 9. Last coalition. Fox, in the shape of a fox (left), north (a), and burke (right) seated together in a cart under a gallows with two uprights, one on each side of the cart. An executioner sits astride the cross-beam arranging three nooses. The figures are minute but very expressive. Burke, wearing his spectacles, turns his head away from his companions with an expression of melancholy. 10. Tantalus. Ixion. Sysiphus. A scene in hades; water on the left, from which rises a rock or mountain (right); the background is composed of flames, in the smoke of which is the figure of a minute demon. The head and shoulders of burke (left) as tantalus appear from the water. Fox (a fox) as ixion is bound to the centre of a wheel. North as sisyphus climbs up the rock, pushing before him a spherical boulder. For the fall of the coalition see bmsat 6283, &c. 29 december 1783
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1783. Dimensions: Height: 235 mm; Width: 335 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Edmund Burke. Collection: British Museum. Two new sliders for the state magic lanthern. (BM 1898,0520.186)
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