A bear and his leader / Js. Gillray fect.
From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
Print shows Grenville leading a dancing bear with the head of Fox enclosed in a muzzle. He holds a chain attached to the muzzle and a long heavy staff: 'Cudgel for Disobedient Bears'. The bear obediently repeats the dancing-step of his master; he holds in both paws his bonnet rouge trimmed with tricolour, and tramples upon two torn songsheets: 'Caira, Ca . . .' and 'A Begging we will go'. In Grenville's pocket is a book: 'Rewards for Obedient Bears'. He says: "dont be afraid of my Bear, Ladies & Gentlemen! "I have tamed & muzzled him, & reformed his Habits." A monkey with the head of Lord Henry Petty, and wearing the gown of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, clasps the bear's tail, and holds up a fool's cap trimmed with bells. The music is provided by Sidmouth, a ragged fiddler, with a patch over one eye. He plays 'God save the King' and from his pocket hangs a paper: 'Pray remember your poor and Old Blind-Fiddler'. On the wall behind him are three bills: (1) 'Pro Bono Publico - Superbly fine Exhibition, at the Bear Garden, Broad-bottom'd Alley. - Orpheus Charming the Brutes, with a Grand Accompaniment by Dr Sangrado [Sidmouth]'. (2) 'in the Press. - Pease Soup or Bruins Delight - a Ballad'. (3) 'Bubble & Squeak, a Duet.'
Ray, Gordon Norton, 1915-1986, former owner.