A puerile attack on an old servant [print] / JS f.

Accession number: 
PML 146857.94
Author: 
Sayers, James, 1748-1823.
Published: 
[London] : Published by Thos. Cornell, Bruton Strt, 17th March 1787.
Description: 
1 print : aquatint & etching on wove paper ; image: 253 x 212 mm; plate mark: 266 x 216 mm; sheet: 306 x 252 mm
Credit: 
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
Notes: 

Title etched below image.
Item no. 94 of a collection of prints by James Sayers (PML 146857); formerly part of an album of mounted prints, now disbound.

Inscriptions/Markings: 

In pencil at foot: Sir James Erskine.

Provenance: 
From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
Summary: 

Print shows Sir James Erskine dressed as a little girl but wearing a man's wig, bending forward in profile to the left to thrash a mastiff (Hastings) who lies (left) surrounded by a wreath of thorns, his collar inscribed 'Keeper of Ind[ia]'. He holds in his left hand a paper inscribed 'Speec[h] for Thur[sday] Monopoly of Opium'. On the lash of Erskine's whip is a judge's wig inscribed 'Defence of Lord Clive'; its handle is decorated with bells. Burke's head and right arm project into the upper right corner of the design; he holds leading-strings attached to Erskine's shoulders. Below him and immediately behind Erskine are the head and shoulders of Francis, who leans forward, clapping his hands. Above Hastings a rectangular block inscribed 'Impeachment' hangs by a thread. Beside him are three stones, which have been thrown at him, inscribed respectively 'Malice', 'Eloquence', and 'Calumny'. Cf. George.

Classification: 
Department: