The Balance of Power, - or - The Posterity of the Immortal Chatham, Turn'd Posture Master
Date:
1791
Materials & Techniques:
Etching, hand-colored
Dimensions:
Sheet: 13 x 9 3/4in. (33 x 24.8cm)
Inscription(s)/Marks/Lettering:
Lettered inside image, upper left: "'My dear Billy, do help me to make another push, & I'll give you half of my Seraglio'"; upper center: "That old Hag cannot move me, & Seraglios cannot bribe me; I have nothing to do with those matters: my Pole will always remain level'"; upper right: "Both Billy the Flat, & yourself may do your worst, you circumcised dog! get me down if you can! I'll match you all, & swallow Thousands more!' | New Russian Conquest"; lower center: "'O! the Devil! the Devil! The Cow leaps over the Moon! And if I could once get up on the Rope, Lord! I'd fill my pockets soon; I mean, I would soon bring her down: fol der lol, fol der ol"; lower left: "Publish'd April 21st, 1791. by H. Humphrey N.18 Old Bond St."; lettered below image, lower center: "The BALANCE of POWER. | or 'The Posterity of the Immortal CHATHAM, turn'd Posture Master.' - vide Sherridans Speech"
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection