Skip to main content

Ministerial Phlebotomy or Bleeding John Bull, [1805 - 1806]

 Item — Box: LF104/8 Box 1
Reference code: LF104/8/59

Scope and Contents

Artist: William Heath. Published: S. W. Fores. John Bull, corpulent, bald-headed, and stripped to the loins, is beset by leeches with human heads. They climb up his legs and attack his body, arms, and head. He stamps angrily, with clenched fists, saying, "This is Bleeding with A Veangence If I do not Shake off Some of these Leaches I shall not have a drop of Blood Left, why they will never be full & this is the third Set I have had on with in this three years or so. enough to Destroy the best Constitution." The King's profile projects into the design from the left. margin; he holds his spy-glass to his eye, saying, "Hard Work Indeed for poor Johnny How Voraicous I begin to think they will be too many for him I must Order Some of them off I see." Four leeches lie on the ground all inscribed 'Defaulter', followed by various sums: '300-000', '200-000', '400,000', [?] '500,000'. With these is a roll of 'New P . . . [? Pensions]'. On the right are heaped John's hat, waistcoat, coat, shirt, and wig, with a club inscribed 'Oak'. Description from the British Museum.

Dates

  • Creation: [1805 - 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
Sheffield South Yorkshire S10 2TN United Kingdom
+44 (0) 114 222 7299