Record

Browse this collectionThis entry describes an individual archive record or file. Click here to browse the full catalogue for this collection
Archive Reference / Library Class No.D5459/1/93/10
Former ReferenceD5459/1/151
TitleThe Crises : or John Bull recovering from his Lethargy!!
Date[1807]
DescriptionJohn Bull lies in bed surrounded by various politicians, suggesting remedies.
From left to right:
Henry Addington holding a 'Composing Draught', says
"Come Johnny you know your doctor - do take a little medicine".
John Bull, who declares
"I tell you - you are all alike. Where is my regimentals - I see enough before my eyes to rouse me to exertion."
Canning: "Here Johnny are some charming jests and epigrams to amuse you - I wrote them myself for the Anti - Jacobin".
Possibly Sheridan :"The best way is to let down the curtains he has too much light."
Grenville: "Johnny take a little broad - bottom'd advice - reinstate All the Talents and all will be aright"
Burdett: "Now Mr Bull what do you think of the abuses of the Red Book".
Above Burdett's head is written 'Peace between France, Russia and Prussia'. Available on CD 158.
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
ArtistWoodward, George Murgatroyd (?1765-1809)
Archive CreatorGeorge Murgatroyd Woodward (1765-1809), artist and writer
Further InformationHenry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth (1757-1844) was the son of a doctor, and ridiculed as 'the Doctor', by Canning and in many caricatures. He had headed the Addington Ministry of 1801-4 , was lord president for a while during William Pitt's second administration of 1804-6 and was Lord Privy Seal in the 'Ministry of All Talents'.
George Canning (1770-1827) brought out the Anti-Jacobin review between 1799 and 1801, writing many of the articles, and commissioning caricatures from Gillray. In 1804 he entered Parliament with Pitt as treasurer of the Navy, and in 1806 he declined an appointment in the 'Ministry of All Talents'.
The reference to the curtain may be an allusion to Sheridan's position as proprietor of the Drury Lane theatre. He was treasurer of the Navy under the Talents.
William Wyndham Grenville (1759-1834) was the leader of the 'Ministry of all the Talents'.
Burdett was a radical, close to Horne Tooke, and known as a reformer.
The banner above Burdett's head refers to the Treaty of Tilsit in 1807, at which France and Russia agreed to divide up Europe between them, and Prussia was broken up. The date is confirmed by Grenville's call for the reinstatement of the Ministry of all the Talents, which fell in March 1807.
Physical DescriptionPencil drawing with text in ink. Size 351 x 270 mm.
CopiesA digital copy can also be viewed on the public computers at the record office.
Related MaterialFor other depictions of Henry Addington see D5459/1/93/3, D5459/1/93/27, D5459/1/93/34, D5459/4/14.
For another depiction of George Canning see D5459/1/93/21.
For more depictions of Grenville see D5459/1/93/11.
Image

The Crises : or John Bull recovering  from his Lethargy!!

Add to My Items