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Bat-Catching, 19 January 1803

 Item — Box: LF104/7 Box 1
Reference code: LF104/7/5
Bat-Catching, 19 January 1803
Bat-Catching, 19 January 1803

Scope and Contents

Artist: James Gillray. Published: James Gillray. Addington and Hawkesbury, in the gateway of the Treasury (inscribed 'Granary'), snare three bats with the heads of Grey, Sheridan, and Tierney. Addington kneels on one knee holding out a dark lantern and a hat with a tricolour cockade filled with papers inscribed 'Sinecure', 'Place', 'Annuity', 'Pension', 'Post'. Hawkesbury, standing behind him, holds out a net supported on two sticks in which to catch the creatures which fly, like harpies, straight towards Addington, dazzled by the lantern's rays. Grey's eyes are fixed on the lantern, those of Tierney and Sheridan, the last with an expression of eager greed, on the papers in the hat. Beside Addington is a sack of 'Sterling British Corn', overflowing with guineas. After the title: '"Bat-catching, (says Buffon,) does not require much art, for, flying always in the Night, they are easily attracted by a Dark-Lanthorn & being always hungry, may be easily caught, by a few Cheese-Parings, or Candle Ends; - they are so rapacious, that if they once get into the Granary, they never cease devouring, while there is any thing left." - Vide. Buffon's Nat: His. Article Birds of Night.' Description from the British Museum.

Dates

  • Creation: 19 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

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