Published by the order of the Society for Constitutional Information by D. A---s Secrety / JS f.

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James Sayers
1748-1823
Published by the order of the Society for Constitutional Information by D. A---s Secrety / JS f.
etching & roulette
image: 186 x 274 mm; plate mark: 215 x 290 mm; sheet: 219 x 290 mm
Peel 3393
Published: 
[London] : Published 12th May, 1791, by Thos. Cornell, Bruton Street, [5 May 1791]
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Title from item.
Two line of text below title: from all sedition, privy, conspiracy and rebellion ...

Summary: 

Print shows an ass, laden with panniers filled with books, lifting up its head to bray 'Rights of Man' (thrice repeated), while its hind-legs are kicking in the direction of the British Lion (right). From its head hang an ink-bottle and pen. The books are inscribed "Paines Pampl[et]", "Libels on the Constitution", "Treason", "Seditious Pamphlets", etc. The head only of the lion, crowned, appears on the right, his mouth is open as if roaring, and he holds open a large book inscribed: (left) "Reflections on the Revolution in France &c by the Right Honble E Burke", and (right) (a quotation from p. 3,1st ed.): "the soci[ety] calling itself the Society for Constitutional Information was intended for the Circulation at the Expence of the Members of many Books which few others would be at the Expence of buying and which might lie on thands [sic] of the Booksellers". Cf. George.

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