The nursery : with Britannia reposing in peace / Js. Gillray invt. & fect.
From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
Print shows a nursery where Britannia sleeps in a large wicker cradle rocked by Addington, who is dressed as an elderly woman. Hawkesbury, a thin and spinsterish nursemaid, approaches the foot of the cradle holding out an ornate child's commode, inscribed 'French C . . k . . g Chair'. Behind the cradle Fox hangs out napkins to dry on a cord stretched across the fireplace, one of which is labelled 'French Cambrick'. Britannia sleeps with her thumb in her mouth, holding her shield and spear. The head of the cradle is inscribed: 'Requiescat in Pace'. Addington sings: o, By - my Baby, my Baby, - o, By - in Peace! my dearee! - For such a sweet Nap as This, You never had, far nor nearee! - so. By - my Baby, my dearee! On the ground is a casserole of 'French Pap'; on the chimney-piece is a bottle labelled 'Composing Draught' and a box of 'Opiate Pills'. Above it is a print of 'Buonaparte' playing a fiddle and capering ecstatically. On the wall is a broadside: 'Rule Britannia . . . Britons never will be - ['slaves' torn off] and a birch-rod tied with tricolour ribbon.
Ray, Gordon Norton, 1915-1986, former owner.