Item 7: A Satirical Cartoon, Political, by Unknown, [ca. aft. 1763] of Wilkes and Bute, after [William Hogarth], (removed to Black Box#1), [1763]
Item — Box: 6, Folder: 7
Dates
- Created: [1763]
Creator
- Hogarth, William, 1697-1764 (Person)
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Political cartoon/ etching
Condition Note:
Good.
Measurements:
12 in. x 10 ⅜ in.
Title:
N/A
Description:
The following item dated circa after 1763, depicts a satirical political cartoon of John Wilkes and John Stuart, the Earl of Bute, with Richard Grenville, the 2nd Earl of Temple in the background, after an original drawing in part by William Hogarth, dated 1763. In the image, Wilkes and Stuart are shown full bodied, seated in the center of the frame. They both wear ornately designed coats, with vests and white undershirts. Grenville is depicted in similar dress but shown from the waist up. All three men wear powdered wigs. Wilkes is shown in typically caricature emphasis, with an exaggerated crossed eye and underbite. He is holding the liberty cap. Stuart has tiny devil figures climbing up the right side of his body, Timora and Fingal, (reference to newly discovered epic poetry: Ossian) with wings and tails framing his figure from the back. He is also offering a piece to Wilkes, which is inscribed “Kan Jack have Canada or to the Tower.” Grenville is written as saying “Liberty O’ my Country.”
In Caricature Unmasked, by Amelia Faye Rauser, she explains the different symbolic representations of the devils and sayings included:
The accompanying caption mislabels the figure in the back, left hand corner. It is thought to be George Grenville, but it has been identified as Richard Grenville Temple, the 2nd Earl Temple, on the British Museum’s website. An accompanying exhibit caption describes the scene: “The Hogarth caricature of Wilkes was also turned against the political enemies of Wilkes. Wilkes charged the King’s prime minister, Lord Bute, with corruption and bribery; these charges were anonymous in the 1763 North Briton which Wilkes did not sign. But Wilkes made his charges public later in the year. Subsequently, this cartoon appeared, Bute is shown on the right seeking to entreat Wilkes with bribery. The figure in the upper left is not clearly identified but may be George Grenville, who would succeed Bute, or it may represent King George III. The item also references the poems Temora and Fingal by James MacPherson through its depiction of two characters climbing up Bute’s shoulder, with Temora using Fingal as a stepping stone while pushing down the character. What this has to do with the dispute between Wilkes and Bute is currently unknown.”
The accompanying caption mislabels the figure in the back, left hand corner. It is thought to be George Grenville, but it has been identified as Richard Grenville Temple, the 2nd Earl Temple, on the British Museum’s website. An accompanying exhibit caption describes the scene: “The Hogarth caricature of Wilkes was also turned against the political enemies of Wilkes. Wilkes charged the King’s prime minister, Lord Bute, with corruption and bribery; these charges were anonymous in the 1763 North Briton which Wilkes did not sign. But Wilkes made his charges public later in the year. Subsequently, this cartoon appeared, Bute is shown on the right seeking to entreat Wilkes with bribery. The figure in the upper left is not clearly identified but may be George Grenville, who would succeed Bute, or it may represent King George III. The item also references the poems Temora and Fingal by James MacPherson through its depiction of two characters climbing up Bute’s shoulder, with Temora using Fingal as a stepping stone while pushing down the character. What this has to do with the dispute between Wilkes and Bute is currently unknown.”
Transcription:
[Left]
B**t [Boot] humbly entreats you will now condescend.
To tell at what price he can make you is friend.
He only implores you will lay down your pen,
and say, on your Honour, you’ll not write again.
[Middle] The empire of Canada lyes (sic) [lies] at your feet. To plunder and fleece -- what a delicate treat But if a round sum in the dark you should like Not offensible, nom; that bargain I’ll strike.”
[Right] Asham[e]’d of such meanness, disdaining their gold. Wilkes answer[e]’d thus, as I’m credibly told. “Avaunt, vile corrupter I'll take no such thing. “Ill be true to Old England, the Whigs, and the King!
[Middle] The empire of Canada lyes (sic) [lies] at your feet. To plunder and fleece -- what a delicate treat But if a round sum in the dark you should like Not offensible, nom; that bargain I’ll strike.”
[Right] Asham[e]’d of such meanness, disdaining their gold. Wilkes answer[e]’d thus, as I’m credibly told. “Avaunt, vile corrupter I'll take no such thing. “Ill be true to Old England, the Whigs, and the King!
Creator
- Hogarth, William, 1697-1764 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu