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The New Mercury Dedicated to the Free & Independent Electors of Westminster, 01 June 1796

 Item — Box: LF104/4 Box 1
Reference code: LF104/4/25

Scope and Contents

By Isaac Cruikshank. Two Westminster electors sit face to face in a curiously shaped open car, or 'Mercury', to each end of which a horse is attached by a band across the chest. The horses have the heads of Sir Alan Gardner (left) and Fox (right), each is lashed by a postilion, and each attempts to gallop, making the car stationary. The car has a curved and symmetrical body, rising behind each passenger in a point, its contour resembling a crescent with the horns pointing upwards. On the left and in profile to the right sits a fat and elderly parson, his hands clasped on his chest. On the left panel of the car is a crown. On the right sits a plainly dressed man with his arms folded; on the right panel of the car is the cap and staff of Liberty. Two roads diverge behind the car at right angles to that on which the horses are struggling, but take a curve which shows that they will eventually meet. A double signpost immediately behind the car points along them: (left) 'To Peace', (right) 'To Prosperity'. The parson says: "Aye Aye I can see the Road our Members promised to take us". The other says : "This is rare Travelling but methinks it jolt cursedly". Horne Tooke standing behind the signpost looks down on the coach; he says, taking a pinch of snuff: "A Match for the Kings Plate I suppose". The postilion riding Gardner is Pitt, his breeches inscribed 'Treasury Influence', his whip is headed by a crown, and (in the coloured impression) he wears the Windsor uniform. A signpost by the horse's head points 'to Despotism', and is surmounted by a Union Jack. The other postilion wears a tricolour cap and jacket and slashes his horse. The right signpost points 'to Revolutionism' and flies a tricolour flag. After the title: 'Pull Devil Pull Baker.' Description from the British Museum.

Dates

  • Creation: 01 June 1796

Conditions Governing Access

Available by appointment in our Reading Room

Extent

1 Item(s)

Language of Materials

English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and Archives Repository

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