The bow to the throne, alias the begging bow

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James Gillray
1756-1815
The bow to the throne, alias the begging bow
etching & engraving, hand-colored
image: 199 x 278 mm; plate mark: 224 x 283 mm; sheet: 230 x 295 mm
Peel 2605
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Engraved below title. "Mew, mew, mew fal lal & c, & c "
Attributed to Gillray by George.

Summary: 

"A parody of BMSat 7309. Warren Hastings, seated on a close-stool containing guineas, his feet resting on a stool, leans forward, a bag of 'Pagodas' in his left hand, of 'Roopees' in his right, which he hands to Thurlow and Pitt respectively, who bow before him with hands outstretched to take the money-bags. He says, "Dear Gentlemen this is too little your modesty really distresses me". He wears oriental dress with a crown on his turban. On his seat is a reversed crown. Queen Charlotte (in place of Burke) grovels on the floor, kissing Hastings's toe; she clasps a large money-bag inscribed '£200000'; under her left arm is a box inscribed 'Bu[ls]e' (see BMSat 6966, &c). George III (in place of Francis) emerges from the ground behind Hastings, clutching a great heap of guineas which is piled on the floor; his left arm is in the close-stool, taking out guineas; he says, "I am at the Bottom of it". In place of the wigs and swords of BMSat 7309 are hats held out to be filled with gifts: a pair of hands (in the Windsor uniform) holds out a hunting-cap (probably intended for one of the King's equerries); a hand holds out a three-cornered hat, a hand in a lawn sleeve holds out a mitre, a hand in a similar sleeve holds out a mortar-board cap. These are inscribed 'Turbæ cætera'. The insignia of the Garter are similarly inscribed. On the wall behind Hastings is a picture (left) of a vast human body emerging from the summit of a mountain scattering coins to a crowd of kneeling suppliants. The frame is inscribed: '"Out it came - "Not a little tiny Mouse, but a Mountain of delight.' After the title is etched: 'Mew mew mew, fal lal &c &c'."--British Museum online catalogue.

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