The fall of the Wolsey of the Woolsack

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James Gillray
1756-1815
The fall of the Wolsey of the Woolsack
[London] : Pubd May 24th 1792 by H Humphrey, No 18 Old Bond Street, [1792]
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
1986.604
Published: 
[London] : Pubd. May 24th 1792 by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street, [1792]
Provenance: 
From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
Notes: 

Printmaker from George.
Cartoon concerning Thurlow's dismissal from Chancery in 1792.

Summary: 

Print shows Thurlow, seated on a woolsack, engaged in a tug-of-war with George III over the bag of the Great Seal, while Pitt and Grenville attempt to dislodge the Chancellor. The King, in profile to the right, tugs with both hands, saying, "What! What! What! - pull against me Neddy? pull against me? - no! no! no! - 'twont do! Neddy! 'twont do! leave go! leave go! Neddy - dont put me in a passion Neddy - but leave go Neddy - " Thurlow, holding one tassel, says: "Take it ingrate! - and then farewell, - O damnation I've touched the highest point of all my greatness - damnation ... [etc.]"

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