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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D5459/1/93/22
Former ReferenceD5459/1/156
Title The Passion Flower of The City : Blighted by an Easterly Wind
Date[1809]
DescriptionA flower with a human face, weeps. On the right the east wind blasts the flower with a gust of 'Popular Censure'. On the ground in front of it are crossed swords. Available on CD 158
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
ArtistWoodward, George Murgatroyd (?1765-1809)
Archive CreatorGeorge Murgatroyd Woodward (1765-1809), artist and writer
Further InformationText reads:
"The Flower of the city so gaudy and fine | Midst proud ones the proudest was erst known to shine | It spread its gay leaves, and it shew'd its rich clothes | And to all (less in consequence) turn'd up its nose | Till a blight, a sad blight from an easterly wind | Struck the sensitive plant both before and behind | It felt the keen blast - all its arrogance fled | And the Flower of the city hangs down its head.

The Flower of the city, thus doom'd to despair | Droops - pines and with wailings impregnates the air | Tells its pride and its folly (the cause of its grief) | While the tears of remembrance encumber each leaf. | But vain is its tears, or the fear it bemoans | The world, the base world, gives but hisses and groans | For ever! - For ever! Its proud hopes are fled | And the Flower of the city, now hangs down its head."

It is an attack on Sir Charles Flower and the other ministerial MPs who had voted for the Duke of York in a motion calling for the removal of the Duke of York as Commander-in-Chief of the army. This was because of the Dukes alleged involvement in the Mrs Clarke affair, in which a former mistress of the Duke was implicated in the sale of commissions. An attempt was then made to charge the Duke with knowledge of the corruption, but this too failed, and he was eventually acquitted.

At a meeting on 1 Apr 1809 of the Common hall, made up of liverymen, Flowers' behaviour was censured and those who had attempted to prosecute the Duke were given a vote of thanks.

Rowlandson published a similar design illustrating the same verses on 10 Apr 1809 (BM Sat 11305). The drawing differs in a number of ways from the print.
Physical DescriptionPencil drawing with text in ink. Size 414 x 289 mm. Portrait.
CopiesA digital copy can also be viewed on the public computers at the record office.
Image

The Passion Flower of The City : Blighted by an Easterly Wind

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