The Storm rising; -or- The Republican Flotilla in danger.

Size 69cm x 27cm

Originally published by Hannah Humphrey etched by James Gillray from 'The Genuine Works of James Gillray, engraved by himself. Thomas McLean edition on heavy rag-paper from the original copper plates printed 1830.

The windlass (right) is turned by Bedford, in profile to the left, Fox, in back view but looking to the raft (left), Sheridan, in profile to the right, and Tierney, coming towards the spectator. From Bedford's pocket hangs a paper: '£1400 Fined, for False Entry of Servants'. All are running, but it is clear that huge waves raised by Pitt will swamp the raft before it reaches shore. All wear coats except Fox, whose coat lies on the ground beside a paper: 'List of the New Republican Ministry. Citizen Volpone, Premier..'.. Fox's shirt is tattered, his hair is tied by a tricolour ribbon. Pitt's profile emerges from clouds in the upper (right) corner; his blast spreads as it reaches the raft, developing into flashes of lightning. The names are: 'Trollope, Colpoys, St Vincent, Seymour, Parker, Onslow, Duncan, [In larger characters than the other names] Curtis, Howe, [In larger characters than the other names] Thompson, Gardiner. The raft advances diagonally from the left; at the front is a huge flag-staff to which the rope from the shore is attached; it flies a tricolour flag inscribed 'Liberty' and is surmounted by a cap of Liberty. In the stern is a similar flag inscribed 'Slavery'. The tricolour flags which fly from the turrets surrounding the vessel are inscribed: 'Invasion', 'Requisitions', 'Plunder', 'Beggary', 'Murder', 'Destruction', 'Anarchy', '[B]lasphemy', 'Atheism'. On the horizon on the extreme left is a fort, its flag inscribed 'Brest'. This is surmounted by a guillotine on which capers a tiny demon playing a fiddle; from it rises a streamer: 'Over de Vater! over de Vater to Charley!' 1 February 1798