Upright Billy alias Orator Humbug

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Hannah Humphrey
Upright Billy alias Orator Humbug
London : Publishd Decr 30th 1788 by H Humphry, Bond Street, [1788]
Peel 1622
Published: 
London : Publishd Decr. 30th 1788 by H. Humphry, Bond Street, [1788]
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Title from item.

Summary: 

Print shows Pitt standing in profile to the right on the edge of a platform addressing men who stand below on the extreme right, handing up to him addresses from various towns. Behind him on the platform is a deputation from the City Committee which raised money for a gift to Pitt on his expected retirement. Pitt stands stiffly erect, his left hand on his breast, his right behind his back to take secretly a money-bag labelled '50,000' it. He says: "My Friends and Countrymen I would have You Consider what obligations you are under to me and Address me I charge you. Have not I superseded Those gallant Sailors who fought your Battles on the Glorious twelfth of April? Have not I distroyed your Rights by the Westminster Scrutiny; Have not I indulged you with a Shop Tax ? Have not I tax'd the Light of Heaven, and Struggled for the Sovereignty with your Rightfull Prince ? and after all, I scorn to accept Reward. But address me, I charge you, address me, Extoll my disinterestedness, my Soberness, my Chastety; and make yourselves immortal by imitating in all things my most Loyal City of London'. Behind Pitt stands Bishop Pretyman, wearing a tall mitre. Brook Watson advances, 'chapeau-bras' and holding a tasselled cane, his wooden leg extended. He asks: "Pray my Lord do you think I may venture". Pretyman answers: "O Mr Alderman don't be affraid of your other Leg, put out tfte Purse and he'll snap at it. - My Pupil is only lying a little to the Country Gentlemen, and then he'll condescend to see you down stairs". Among the 'country gentlemen' four hold out papers, three inscribed 'Address', to two of which (in the coloured impression) have been added in ink 'Cambridge' and 'Edinbrugh'. One of them holds out his hat as if asking for money, implying that the addresses were procured by the Treasury. Behind Watson, the head of the deputation, stands Wilkes in court dress; he pushes Watson forward and holds in his right hand strings attached to Watson's nose and to the noses of a group of stupid-looking aldermen in furred gowns who stand on the extreme left, carrying on a pole a placard inscribed 'City Committee'. He says to Watson, "I have led my Rascals where they are pepperd, but they'll fill a Pitt as well as better Men. Make a Leg Brother Alderman". Cf. George.

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