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Going to Open the Budget, May 1791

 Item — Box: LF104/1 Box 1
Reference code: LF104/1/37

Scope and Contents

Pitt, 'chapeau-bras', stalks haughtily from his coach (left) towards the door of the House of Commons (right), his head thrown back, left hand on his breast, a small empty bag in his right hand. Documents inscribed 'Taxes' protrude from his coat-pocket. Spectators cluster in the foreground to see him pass. A very stout constable with a long staff motions them back, shouting, "make way there for the Minister Take Care of your Pockets". He wears the red waistcoat of the Bow-street runner and is probably Townsend (there is a certain resemblance to Dighton's portrait). A stout citizen puts his hands in his coat-pockets, pulling them together to protect them from Pitt at whom he stares fixedly. A young man puts his hand on his shoulder and points at his pocket. A young woman looks contemptuously at Pitt, saying, "what a bit of a thing it is". Behind Pitt a footman folds up the steps of his carriage and is about to shut the door. A dog, his collar inscribed 'Paid for', sniffs at the man and befouls his leg. The fat coachman sits impassively on the box. Hand-coloured etching. Description from the British Museum.

Dates

  • Creation: May 1791

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