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The Casting Vote or the Independent Speaker, 24 April 1805

 Item — Box: LF104/8 Box 1
Reference code: LF104/8/14

Scope and Contents

Artist: Charles Williams. Published: S. W. Fores. A close-up view of the Speaker (a flattering portrait) rising from his Chair to give his casting vote in the debate of 8 Apr. He stands, right hand on breast, directed slightly to the right. His words are in a lozenge above his head, framed by the architectural back of the Chair: "When the Honor of my Country is at stake I feel no Bias but Truth-Guilty". In the foreground is a corner of the table, with the mace lying across volumes of 'Acts of Parliament'. Immediately behind this, and close to the Speaker's left hand, stands Fox (right), waving his hat; he shouts: "An Abbot D------n me he shall be a Pope". On the extreme left is the corner of the Treasury bench, empty. Behind the Chair, and on a smaller scale (left), Pitt supports the fainting Melville, who wears Highland dress; he turns his head in profile to the right, shouting, "Help Gentlemen Help the poor Man's fainting." Description from the British Museum.

Dates

  • Creation: 24 April 1805

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

Contact:
Western Bank Library
University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield South Yorkshire S10 2TN United Kingdom
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