Westminster school, or, Dr. Busby settling accounts with Master Billy and his playmates
[London] : Pubd. Feby 4th, 1785, by J. Ridgeway, Piccadilly, [1785]
Satirical print issued by the publisher of the the Rolliad, an anonymous satirical attack on the administration of William Pitt.
Below caption title: "Illustrious Bums, might merit more regard; Ah! Bums too tender for a stroke so hard" 'Vide Rolliad'.
Library's copy trimmed within plate mark.
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Print shows Fox as Dr. Busby, seated under a statue of Justice and birching Pitt and his supporters. Pitt lies across Fox's knee, his posteriors scarred; he says, "O pardon me & I'll promise you on my honor that I will Honestly & boldly endeavour a reform!" Fox is replying, "That's all Twaddle! - so here's for your India Task! there! there! there! & there's for blocking up the old Womens Windows & making them drink Tea in the dark! - there! there! & there's for------O I've a a a hundred accounts to settle - there! there! there! there! there! there." Those who have been already chastised are borne off (right), a sea of heads, on the backs of the Foxite party. The last three only are characterized: Robinson is carried off on North's back; he is identified by the rats which leap from his rolled-up coat, Sheridan (identified by the 'School for Scandal' which protrudes from his pocket) carries off Sir Richard Hill, identified by two papers projecting from his coat: 'Bible Joke' and 'Rochester Sermon'. Next, Burke carries off Richard Atkinson from whose pocket projects 'Rum Contr[act]'.
Peel, Robert, 1788-1850, former owner.