britannia, charles james fox, edward thurlow, john wilkes, and william pitt the younger created by william dent
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Description

Revolution Pillar

Published in 1789
Hand-colored etching print on paper

A fox, wearing a coat, hangs in profile to the right from a very high gibbet. His large tail is inscribed 'Hereditary Right'; he is excreting, the ordure being inscribed 'Run my Mead'. Above the gibbet is a scroll: 'The Man of the People High in Office'. Three women caper delightedly round the foot of the gallows: Justice (with the head of Edward Thurlow) (left), with her scales evenly balanced, but with her bandage pushed up so that she can see, and holding her sword against her shoulder, its blade inscribed 'Household' continued; she sings, "Let's joyful Dance and merry Sing". Britannia (right) sings "for Ch--l--y [Charles James Fox] is quite the thing"; her shield is inscribed 'No Peers No Pensions', an allusion to the Regency Restrictions. Her profile appears to be intended for that of William Pitt the Younger. Liberty, with the head of John Wilkes, squinting violently, who is between the other two, cries "Huzza". The cap of Liberty (on its staff) is inscribed with the City arms and the motto 'Address', in reference to the City address of thanks to Pitt and the Ministry for maintaining the right of Parliament in the establishment of a regency.

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