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| Archive Reference / Library Class No. | D5459/1/93/31 |
| Former Reference | D5459/1/188 |
| Title | The Great Book open'd!! : or John Bull more puzled than ever |
| Date | [1800-1809] |
| Description | John Bull bends over to read a giant book, listing all the necessary reforms. The list begins 'Reformation in the Navy, Reformation in the Clergy' and ends 'Reformation in Ourselves.' The book is supported by a man, above whose head is written 'The Genius of Britain.'
John Bull comments
"Mercy on me - here is a pretty piece of business cut out - how the devil shall I get through it all - Doomsday Book is a little Primmer [sic] compared to it." Available on CD 158. |
| Level | Item |
| Repository | Derbyshire Record Office |
| Artist | Woodward, George Murgatroyd (?1765-1809) |
| Archive Creator | George Murgatroyd Woodward (1765-1809), artist and writer |
| Further Information | Abbreviated text transcribed.
The genius of Britain might indicate a spirit of reform. Political reform was of increasing importance from 1806 onwards. It was led by Sir Francis Burdett, who was closely associated with John Horne Tooke, Cobbett and other radicals. Burdett's election cry had been 'no placemen, no pensioners' and in his Address to the Electors of Westminster on 25 May 1807 he had promised to 'tear out the accursed leaves of that scandalous red book', the Royal or Court Kalendar, which contained a list of office holders. From the 1807 election there was a greater call for reform, encouraged perhaps by the Whig election campaign of 'no corruption'. |
| Physical Description | Pencil drawing with text in ink. Size 370 x 294 mm. Portrait. |
| Copies | A digital copy can also be viewed on the public computers at the record office. |
| Related Material | See D5459/1/93/25 for another drawing on reform. |
| Term | Elections |
| Image | 
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