The ghost of the revolutionary politician Mirabeau giving an address. Coloured etching, 1791.

  • Woodward, G. M. (George Moutard), approximately 1760-1809.
Date:
1 July 1791
Reference:
38457i
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About this work

Description

Mirabeau had died earlier in 1791. The letterpress is the supposed speech of his ghost to the Revolution Society, originally set up to commemorate the Glorious Revolution of 1688, but which also celebrated the storming of the Bastille with an annual dinner at the Crown and Anchor in the Strand, London, on 14 July

Publication/Creation

London (No. 50, Oxford Street) : William Holland, 1 July 1791.

Physical description

1 print : etching, with watercolour and letterpress ; image 17.3 x 14.2 cm

Lettering

The ghost of Mirabeau's address to the London Revolution Society!!! A new ballad to an old tune. ... Mirabeau's address is printed below the etching in eight stanzas including the following: I. Ah! ha! Bon-vivants, vat you litel did tink, Ven in de great cauldron you made de grande stink, That from Styx piping hot, and amusements below, It would raise your old friend de vonce-fam'd Mirabeau. Derry down, &c. ... VII. De French Revolution, begar! vas fine ting; In praise of each citizen now let us sing! A fig for Burke's book, and the noise it has made - You see after death I still wear de cockade. Derry down, &c. VIII. De battle Poictiers all de Frenchmen remember, And Cressy's defeat make dem cold as December; But here's D'Eon's famed toast, drinking joys to enhance, Old England for ever! and likewise New France! Derry down, &c.

Creator/production credits

Possibly after a design by G.M. Woodward

References note

British Museum, Catalogue of political and personal satires, London 1938, vol. 6, no. 7888

Reference

Wellcome Collection 38457i

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