The Nabob Purged - or - The secretaries pilgrimage to Mecca

Image not available
James Gillray
1756-1815
The Nabob Purged - or - The secretaries pilgrimage to Mecca
etching, hand colored
image: 172 x 201 mm; plate mark: 188 x 212 mm; sheet: 251 x 331 mm
Peel 2423
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Title from item.
Printmaker from the British Museum online catalog.
"Rumbold was regarded as the typical nabob of fabulous and ill-gotten wealth. His prosecution in the Commons by a Bill of pains and penalties was managed by Dundas (whose Scottish accent was notoriously harsh); it was brought in on 3 May 1782 and abandoned 3 Dec. 1783. At the same time a Bill was brought in to restrain him from leaving the country, hence the clogs attached to his ankles. The charges against him broke down and were abandoned."--Curatorial comments, British Museum online catalog.
A later state of this print, dated Jan 21. 1783, and bearing the caption title "The nabob rumbled or A lord advocates amusement," is recorded in the holdings of the British Museum. See: George, M.D. Catalogue of political and personal satires preserved in the Department of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum, no. 6169.
Library's copy trimmed within plate mark.

Summary: 

Sir Thomas Rumbold, who stands, supported by his son, holding his right hand to his forehead, vomits a shower of guineas into a large chamber-pot held by Dundas, the Lord Advocate of Scotland. The pot, which is ornamented with a thistle, is full of guineas, and stands on a three-legged stool. Dundas (right), in legal wig and gown, kneels beside it, clasping it in both arms; he is saying, "I weel tak them to Lochabar and wash them in the Brook". Rumbold is shackled by two chains, one attached to each ankle, and at the other end to a large weight or clog inscribed "Sureties". Captain Rumbold, who wears regimentals with a gorget, holds his father's left hand and arm, saying "Ah! these dam'd Scotch Pills mil kill poor Dad". In the distance (left) a military officer with a long queue, probably Captain Rumbold, is galloping off (right to left) mounted on an elephant and seated on the back of a large double sack which forms a saddle and is inscribed "Roupees". He is saying "I am off - I know good manners". An Indian seated behind him on the back of the elephant holds a tall umbrella over his master's head; he says, "Me and Massa leave England He! He! He!". Cf. British Museum online catalog.

Artist page: 
Century: 
Classification: 
Department: