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Horrors of the Irish-Union;_ Botheration of poor Pat -or- a Whisper across the Channel, 24 December 1798

 Item — Box: LF104/5 Box 1
Reference code: LF104/5/44
Horrors of the Irish-Union;_ Botheration of poor Pat -or- a Whisper across the Channel, 24 December 1798
Horrors of the Irish-Union;_ Botheration of poor Pat -or- a Whisper across the Channel, 24 December 1798

Scope and Contents

Artist: James Gillray. Published: Hannah Humphrey. Britannia, buxom and beneficent, sits on one side of the 'Irish Channel'; on a smaller piece of ground stands Pat, his hands deep in his coat pockets, looking sideways towards Britannia. She sits with her shield and spear beside a pile of bales of goods and a cornucopia from which pour coins and jewels; she holds out a scroll: 'Union of Security Trade and Liberty'. She looks appealingly towards Pat, her right hand on her breast, one foot trampling on a book inscribed 'Discord' and a venomous snake. Tierney, Fox, and M. A. Taylor look out from behind bushes, gazing fixedly at Pat: Fox says, his hand before his mouth: "Hip! my old Friend Pat! - hip! - a word in your Ear! take care of yourself Pat! - or you'll be ruin'd past Redemption - dont you see that this damn'd Union is only meant to make a Slave of you! - do but look how that cursed Hag is forging Fetters to bind you, and preparing her knapsack to carry off your Property, and to Ravish your whole Country, Man, Woman and Child! - why you are blind sure! - rouse yourself Man! raise all the Lawyers and spur up the Corporations, Fight to the last drop of blood, and part with the last Potatoe to preserve your Property and Independence -" Tierney says "beware Pat", Taylor echoes "beware." Pat is a sturdy fellow with bare legs; his clothes are ragged, his broken spear lies beside him. Behind (right) is a building in flames. He says: "Plunder and Knapsacks! and Ravishments, and ruin of little Ireland! - why - by St Patrick, its very odd, now! for the old Girl seems to me, to be offering me her Heart and her Hand, and her Trade and the use of her Shelalee to defend me into the bargain! - by Jasus! if you was not my old friend, Charley, I should think you meant to bother me with your Whisperings to put the old Lady in a passion, that we may not buss one another, or be Friends any more." Description from the British Museum.

Dates

  • Creation: 24 December 1798

Conditions Governing Access

Physical item available by appointment in our Reading Room

Extent

1.0 Item(s)

Language of Materials

English