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The Father of a Large Family, Taking his Eldest Boy from School, 23 February 1806

 Item — Box: LF104/8 Box 1
Reference code: LF104/8/51

Scope and Contents

Artist: Charles Williams. Published: S. W. Fores. In a large bare room are forms for boys, a chair on a dais for the 'Master' (his desk so inscribed), with two desks on the left and right, inscribed respectively 'Moniter W P' and 'Moniter S W'. From the monitor's desk on the left Pitt has been seized by the Devil; he lies unconscious or dead on the creature's back; the latter, who has webbed wings, is about to fly out of a casement window; clouds surround them. The 'Master, George III, peers through his glass at the pair, saying, "What? What? take Bill away, eh, sorry for that, sorry for that, Kept the big boys in Order rarely." In the opposite desk (right) Whitbread leans forward, holding out a huge birch-rod to Melville who stands weeping, watching Pitt's departure. The latter, wearing Highland dress, scratches a bare leg and says: "Oh dear, oh dear, Now I shall have No One to take my part." At his feet is a slate headed 'Navy Account'. Whitbread's desk is a frothing tankard inscribed '[Wh]itbread'. The boys (or men) on the benches in the foreground watch Pitt's exit with startled alarm and bristling hair. On the sloping desk each has a paper: 'Parliamentary Practice Aye No No Aye' [&c.] to show they are obedient Ministerialists. Description from the British Museum.

Dates

  • Creation: 23 February 1806

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
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