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| Archive Reference / Library Class No. | D5459/2/28 |
| Former Reference | D5459/3/89 |
| Title | John Bull in the Year 1800! John Bull, in the 1801! |
| Date | 12 Oct 1801 |
| Description | Contrasting portraits of 'WAR' and 'PEACE'.
In the left-hand portrait, a depressed John Bull is dressed as a volunteer, in top-boots, a coat with braiding and a cocked hat with plumes. He is sitting on a chair, facing left, next to a small table. On the table is a book in which is written 'OBSERVATION ON THE HIGH PRICE OF PROVISIONS', and on the facing page 'INCREASE OF POOR RATES'. Under the book is a piece of paper marked 'Opening of the Budget INCOME'. On the floor is a cracked jug marked 'SMALL BEER' and a dog asleep next to his chair. On the wall is a poster announcing 'ORDERS for attending DRILL' and a fiddle hanging from a peg.
In the right-hand portrait a contented John Bull, wearing a bob-wig is playing 'The Soldier Tired of Wars Alarms' on the fiddle, while a cat joins in. Next to the score is a paper marked 'Oh the Roast Beef of Old England' and on the floor is a foaming tankard marked 'BROWN STOUT 3 1/2 POT'. His hat and sword are hanging from a peg on the wall, and posters announce :'Theatre Royal Drury Lane this evening for the 109th time the Opera of ARTAXERXES Mandane by Mrs Billington', 'LAST DYING SPEECH and Confession of all the Contracters Corn and Hop Monopolizers who hung themselves for the good of their Country', 'PEACE AND PLENTY'.
Available on CD 162. |
| Level | Item |
| Repository | Derbyshire Record Office |
| Artist | Woodward, George Murgatroyd (?1765-1809) |
| Engraver: Rowlandson, Thomas (1756-1827) |
| Archive Creator | George Murgatroyd Woodward (1765-1809), artist and writer |
| Further Information | Pubd Oct 12 1801 by R Ackermann No 101 Strand
Attribution and maker information based on BM Sat 9730.
According to the BM Sat, Mrs Billington's return to England provoked much public interest. She first appeared as Mandane in Artaxerxes on 3 Oct 1801 at Covent Garden, the day after the signing of Preliminaries. Corn and hop prices had fallen sharply following the peace. Income tax had become law in January 1799. |
| Physical Description | Hand-coloured print. Size 406 x 275 mm. |
| Copies | A digital copy can also be viewed on the public computers at the record office. |
| Image | 
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