A Phantasmagoria, 5 January 1803
Scope and Contents
Artist: James Gillray. Published: James Gillray. Design in an oval, placed on an oblong background representing a stone wall, and thus simulating the projection of a magic lantern. The figures, except Wilberforce, are light against a dark background. Addington, Hawkesbury, and Fox, as the three witches in Macbeth, cook their hell-broth in a cauldron. From this rises a cloud inscribed 'PEACE' which frames a skeleton (of Britannia). Its long hair shows that it is that of a woman; in one hand is a trident, in the other her shield. From the pot issue the tail and one paw of the British lion. His decollated head lies on the ground (right); on it stands a crowing Gallic cock wearing a tiny bonnet rouge. Addington stands on the left ladling into the pot guineas from a sack inscribed: 'To make Gruel Thick & Slab' [Macbeth, iv. i]. He raises his right arm, holding up an olive branch; a serpent twines round arm and branch; its fangs pointing at the word 'Peace'. Hawkesbury crouches on the right, recklessly feeding the fire with papers inscribed: 'Dominion of the Sea', 'Egypt', 'Malta', 'Cape', 'Continental Alliances', 'Honduras', 'Switzerland', 'Brit[isk] Isles'; beside him are others: 'Gibralter' and 'Ireland'. Among the papers already blazing the word 'West Indies' is just visible. At his side hangs an ink-pot with a pen, suspended from a tricolour ribbon, indicating the Foreign Secretary. Behind him Fox, as a fat old woman, stands full face, holding up a broom tied with a tricolour ribbon. All three wear conical hats; that of Addington has a tricolour favour, that of Fox a tricolour cockade and bunches of olive. Addington is grave, Hawkesbury melancholy, Fox exultant. In front of the cauldron, beside the lion's head, kneels Wilberforce (left), a little figure in Monkish robes, hideously caricatured, chanting a 'Hymn of Peace' from an open book. Description from the British Museum.
Dates
- Creation: 5 January 1803
Conditions Governing Access
Physical item available by appointment in our Reading Room
Extent
1.0 Item(s)
Language of Materials
English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and Archives Repository
Western Bank Library
University of Sheffield
Western Bank
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