Brunswick, triumphant!, or, the battle of the blood's, pure, & contaminated

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James Gillray
1756-1815
Brunswick, triumphant!, or, the battle of the blood's, pure, & contaminated
etching, hand colored
image: 225 x 332 mm; plate mark: 250 x 352 mm; sheet: 251 x 353 mm
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 2699
Published: 
[London] : Pubd May 23d 1789 by J. Aitken Castle Street Leicester Fields, [1789]
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

At right of caption title: Oft have I seen a hot o'erweening Cur, Run back & bark - because he was with-held, Who being suffer'd in the Bear's fell paw Hath clap'd his Tail between his Legs & cry'd.

Summary: 

Print shows a pugilistic encounter between the Duke of York and Lt.-Col. Charles Lennox, both stripped to the waist. The Duke stands with both fists clenched, saying, "Come on my Lad! don't fall without a Blow! I'll tickle your Mazzard, if you dare to stand up like a Man!" Lennox, on one knee, clutches the arm of his second, the Duke of Richmond, saying, "O save me Nunkle! - O Lord! - O Lord! - O Lord! Your H--h--ss is above my Match! - O Lord - I'm not fit to fight any body above your Footman". Richmond puts out a hand to restrain his nephew, saying with an expression of alarm, "For heavens sake, forbear! we are nothing but a brood of Bastards! Bastards begot - Bastards instructed - Bastards in Mind - Bastards in Valour - in every thing illegitimate - we are neither of Blood, or of Honor, to cope with your Hi-h--ss!!" The Prince of Wales, on the extreme left, is his brother's second; he says, with a contemptuous expression, "Fredrick! cant you tip his bottle holder a sly plump in the Bread-basket?" Behind him is a Union flag; behind Richmond are fortifications flying a French flag, symbolizing his French descent and title.

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