Patriotic regeneration, -viz.-parliament reform'd, a la francoise, -thatis- honest men (i.e.-opposition.) in the seat of justice. Vide Carmagnol Expectations

Patriotic regeneration, -viz.-parliament reform'd, a la francoise, -thatis- honest men (i.e.-opposition.) in the seat of justice. Vide Carmagnol Expectations

This print shows the interior of the House of Commons with a large group of the Opposition wearing the bonnet-rouge. Charles James Fox sits in the Speaker’s chair, as the presiding judge with a bonnet-rouge pulled over the crown of his hair. In front of him, William Petty kneels, weighing in a pair of scales a weight resembling a cap of liberty and inscribed ‘Libertas,’ against a royal crown. The crown rests on the ground while Petty tries to pull down the liberty weight. With the use of scales, Gillray here emphasizes the corrupt nature of British authorizes such as Fox who, against the crown, supported the French efforts.

James Gillray

The British Museum

Hannah Humphrey

Published 2 March 1795 in London

The British Museum

© Trustees of the British Museum

Hand-colored etching and aquatint

Image: 30.8 x 42 cm

Still Images