“There is always a purpose in The Anti-Jacobin’s view something more important than the mere persiflage that teases individuals. Like the blade of Damascus, which has a verse of the Koran engraved on it, its fine wit glitters terribly in the cause of sacred tradition.”
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES.
| THE GIANT FACTOTUM AMUSING HIMSELF. | ([Frontispiece.]) | |
| Pitt, with his right hand is playing at cup and ball; the latter being a globe to denote his influence over foreign countries as well as at home. His right foot is supported by Dundas and Wilberforce, and is extended to be submissively kissed by his ministerial followers, foremost of whom is Canning. With his left foot he has crushed the Opposition. On the same side is a document labelled “Resources for supporting the War,” with a collection of coin, evidently destined for foreign subsidies. On his right side are various official returns of volunteers, seamen, regulars, and militia. He is thus prepared to carry on the war abroad, and maintain tranquillity at home. | ||
| THE FRIEND OF HUMANITY AND THE KNIFE-GRINDER. | Page [23] | |
| Scene, the Borough of Southwark, with a portrait of George Tierney, its able and radical representative. Published Dec. 4, 1797, as a graphic illustration of the Parody of Southey’s poem, The Widow. | ||
| LORD LONGBOW, THE ALARMIST, DISCOVERING THE MISERIES OF IRELAND. | Page [78] | |
| A characteristic portrait of the gallant and excellent Earl of Moira, afterwards Marquis of Hastings, and Governor-General of India. The engraving is in ridicule of his complaint, in the House of Lords, of the cruelties exercised by the Government troops on the Irish Rebels. In the distance is seen Moll Coggin, an Irish witch, mounted on a black Ram with a blue tail, and on the hill an Oak-boy, carrying an uprooted oak, on the branches of which are numerous swans—in allusion to the unfounded nature of his charges. | ||
| THE LOYAL TOAST. | Page [94] | |
| Representing the Duke of Norfolk giving at a dinner at the Crown and Anchor Tavern in honour of the birth-day of Fox his famous toast, “Our Sovereign’s Health—The Majesty of the People”. On the left is John Nicholls, Member for Tregony; next to him is the Duke of Bedford; on the other side of the table are Sheridan and Fox. | ||
| DESIGN FOR THE NEW GALLERY OF BUSTS AND PICTURES. | Page [99] | |
| The statue of Fox was placed between those of Demosthenes and Cicero, by the Empress Catherine of Russia, as a compliment to him for having successfully opposed the sending of the armament prepared by Pitt, in conjunction with Prussia and Holland, to compel her to give up Ockzakow which she had seized. As this caricature, including the verses, was originally published in March, 1793, the latter in The Anti-Jacobin must have been suggested by them. | ||
| THE REPUBLICAN RATTLESNAKE FASCINATING THE BEDFORD SQUIRREL. | Page [285] | |
| In allusion to the influence exercised by Fox over Francis, fifth Duke of Bedford, who had become one of the most zealous of the popular party. | ||
PROSPECTUS
OF
THE ANTI-JACOBIN;
OR,
WEEKLY EXAMINER,
The First Number of which will be published on Monday, the 20th of November, 1797, to be continued every Monday during the sitting of Parliament. Price 6d.
——Possit quid vivida virtus
Experiare, licet: nec longe scilicet hostes
Quærendi.
At a moment, when whatever may be the habits of inquiry and the anxiety for information upon subjects of public concern diffused among all ranks of people, the vehicles of intelligence are already multiplied in a proportion nearly equal to this encreased demand, and to the encreased importance and variety of matter, some apology may perhaps be necessary for the obtrusion of a new Paper upon the World; and some account may reasonably be expected of the views and principles on which it founds its pretensions to notice, before it can hope to make its way through the crowd of competitors which have gotten the start of it in the race for public favour.
[As this Prospectus was written by Mr. Canning, and it has been prefixed only to the former edition of the Poetry by the present Editor, it is again considered an interesting addition to the present one.]