The hopes of the party, prior to July 14th

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James Gillray
1756-1815
The hopes of the party, prior to July 14th
[London] : Pubd. July 19th. 1791, by S.W. Fores No. 3, Piccadilly, [1791]
etching, hand colored
image: 332 x 502 mm; plate mark: 368 x 520 mm; sheet: 520 x 644 mm
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
1986.284
Provenance: 
From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
Notes: 

At right of caption title: "From such wicked Crown & Anchor-dreams, good Lord deliver us."

Summary: 

Print shows a scaffold with Fox raising an axe to behead George III, whose head is held by Sheridan. On the right is the gate of the 'Crown & Anchor' tavern, and from two projecting lamp-brackets swing the bodies of Queen Charlotte and Pitt. Temple Bar is visible in the background, with two heads on spikes; clouds of smoke appear to come from burning houses. On the clouds Liberty sits enthroned and triumphant. The King's legs are held up by Horne Tooke, who stands on the left, saying: O, such a day as this, so renown'd so victorious, Such a day as this was never seen Revolutionists so gay; - while Aristocrats notorious, Tremble at the universal glee." From Tooke's pocket projects a paper: 'Petition of Horne Tooke' (against the return of Fox and Hood for Westminster). The King is saying, "What! What! What! - what's the matter now". Fox, wears a mask with large circular eye-holes and fox's ears; he is saying: "Zounds! what the devil is it that puts me into such a hell of a Funk? - damn it, it is but giving one good blow, & all is settled! - but what if I should miss my aim! - ah! it's the fear of that which makes me stink so! - & yet, damnation! what should I be afraid of? if I should not succeed, why nobody can find me out in this Mask, any more than the Man who chop'd the Calf's-head off, a Hundred & Forty Years ago - and so here goes!" Sheridan kneels in profile to the left holding the King by the ear and nose, he looks up at Fox with a sinister scowl, saying, "Hell & Damnation, dont be afraid give a home stroke, & then throw off the Mask - Zounds, I wish I had hold of the Hatchet."Priestley, behind Sheridan, leans towards the King, saying, "Don't be alarmed at your situation, my dear Brother; we must all dye once; and, therefore what does it signify whether we dye today or tomorrow - in fact, a Man ought to be glad of the opportunity of dying, if by that means he can serve his Country, in bringing about a glorious Revolution: - & as to your Soul, or any thing after death don't trouble yourself about that; depend on it, the Idea of a future state, is all an imposition: & as every thing here is vanity & vexation of spirit, you should therefore rejoice at the moment which will render you easy & quiet". He holds a paper: 'Priestley on a Future State'. Sir Cecil Wray stands with his right hand on Sheridan's shoulder, saying, "Here do give me a little room Joseph that I may be in readiness to catch the droppings of the Small Beer when it is tapp'd; I never can bear to see the Small Beer wasted Joseph!" He holds in his left hand a small cask, 'For Small Beer', and a large pipe; in his pocket is a paper: 'Plan of Chelsea Hospital by Sir Ceci[l] Wray'. .

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