The Knight of the Woful Countenance Going to Extirpate the National Assembly, 15 November 1790
Scope and Contents
Created by Frederick George Byron. Published by William Holland. Engraving (coloured impression). Burke as Don Quixote, wearing armour and mounted on an ass, rides out of the door to Dodsley’s shop. He wears a Jesuit biretta, much enlarged to resemble the hat of a (Prussian) Death’s Head Hussar, and decorated with skull and crossbones. On its top is seated an owl. Round his neck is suspended a medallion profile portrait of Marie Antoinette. He carries a long spear and an oval shield, divided into four quarters, inscribed 'Shield of Aristocracy and Despotism'; each containing an emblem of French tyranny: dexter chief, the Bastille; dexter base, a chained prisoner inside the Bastille; sinister chief, two men burning at the stake; sinister base, a man on the wheel, with axe, scourge. The ass has a human head and wears the triple crown of the Papacy; indicates Pius XI. On the animal’s neck is hung Burke’s 'Reflections of the French Revolution'. Above the shop door is Dodsley Bookseller in large letters. The adjacent street door is seen on the left. Beneath the design is etched the passage beginning: 'It is undoubtedly true, though it may seem paradoxical; but in general those who are habitually employed in finding and displaying faults, are unqualified for the work of the reformation: and ending: From hence arises - Burke on the French Revolution - page. 250'. Description from the Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires Vol. VI. 7678
Dates
- Creation: 15 November 1790
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
Western Bank Library
University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield South Yorkshire S10 2TN United Kingdom
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