Malagrida & conspirators consulting the ghost of Oliver Cromwell

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James Gillray
1756-1815
Malagrida & conspirators consulting the ghost of Oliver Cromwell
etching, hand colored
image: 221 x 330 mm; sheet: 239 x 339 mm
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 2371
Published: 
[London] : Pubd. June 10th 1782 by E. D'Achery, St. James's Street, London, [10 June 1782]
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Title from item.
Printmaker from George; the publication line inscribed in the top right corner of this impression is almost completely obscured.
With "Political Characters & Caracatures [of 1782] N° 5." in the margin at top left.
Library's copy trimmed within plate mark.

Summary: 

Fox, and Richmond on the left with Shelburne standing pensively between them, move away from the armored ghost of Cromwell who stands on a crushed crown and sceptre. Cromwell is saying "To obtain your end your measures are right, you arm the people, like me, you trample on prerogative ..." A reference to Shelburne's plan after the Gordon Riots to arm the populace in preference to the use of troops.

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