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A Tub for the Whale!, 14 March 1806

 Item — Box: LF104/8 Box 1
Reference code: LF104/8/62

Scope and Contents

Artist: Published: After the title: 'representing an Empty-Barrel tossed out to amuse great Leviathan-John-Bull, in order to divert him from instantly laying violent hands uponye new Coalition Packet - Vide Swifts Preface to the Tale of a Tub.' A sea-monster (left) with a cavernous mouth spouts two cascades which deluge an open packet-boat (right) manned by the new Ministry; these are respectively 'Ridicule' and 'Contempt'. The monster has the horns of a bull and a lashing tail which churns up the water. The boat is in danger also from heavy waves; to her broken mast is lashed (with tricolour bands) a broom to which the single patched sail is tied. (A broom at the masthead signified that the ship was for sale.) This sail is filled by a blast from a wind or winged cherub with the head and shoulders of the Prince of Wales, wearing a round hat, with his feathers, and bulky cravat, and surrounded by heavy clouds. Between packet and whale is the barrel thrown out by the crew. This is inscribed 'Real Constitutional Spirits - No Maidstone' with the letters 'MT' [empty]. In the boat are (left to right) Erskine, Sheridan, Petty, Grenville (dressed as a naval officer), Windham, Spencer, Fox, Grey, and at the tiller, Lord Ellenborough in wig and gown. The most prominent are Fox and Grey who have just thrown the cask. It looks as if by means of the cask and the Prince the packet will escape the whale, and reach the calmer waters near the horizon. Partly above the horizon is a rising sun inscribed 'Power'; its rays are 'Cheese Parings', 'Candle Ends', 'Pluralities', 'Dissipation', 'Sensuality', 'Libertinism', 'Private Pickings'. Description from the British Museum. CLARIFICATION: In this version, the word in the arch of the Sun is not 'power', but 'desp...ism' (possibly despondism), in a seemingly earlier, uncoloured version of LF104/8/63, in which the word is rubbed out, presumably to be later replaced with 'power.' The British Museum has no record of this 'desp...ism' version.

Dates

  • Creation: 14 March 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
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