Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.

Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.

Patriots amusing themselves, or, Swedes practicing at a post

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James Gillray
1756-1815

Patriots amusing themselves, or, Swedes practicing at a post

[London] : Pubd. April 19th 1792 by H. Humphrey, No. 18 Old Bond Street, [1792]
etching, hand colored
image: 243 x 336 mm; plate mark: 248 x 346 mm; sheet: 264 x 362 mm
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
1986.217
Notes
By James Gillray.
Provenance

From the library of Gordon N. Ray.

Summary

Print shows Fox firing a blunderbuss at a post which roughly suggests George III in back view: it is surmounted by a short wig and a hunting-cap decorated with the royal arms; round a protuberance simulating posteriors a circle is drawn with a bull's-eye at which Fox is firing. Fox wears a slouch hat with the inscription 'Ca-Ira' and behind him Priestley (left) and Sheridan (right) face each other with conspiratorial smiles. Sheridan is ramming the barrel of a pistol, saying, "Well! this new Game is delightful! - O Heavens! if I could but once Pop the Post!!! then you and me, - Dear Brother P, - Would sing with glee, - Full merrily Ca-ira! Ca-ira! Ca-ira!" Priestley holds out to him two books: "on the Glory of Revolution and on the Folly of Religion & Order", saying, "Here's plenty of Wadding for to ram down the Charge with, to give it force, & to make a loud Report.".

Associated names
Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher.
Ray, Gordon Norton, 1915-1986, former owner.
Classification
Department
Century prints