The loaves and fishes : Whipt be such Honest Knaves / J H invt.
[London] : Pub by E. d Achery March 24, 1783, St James Street, [1783]
Attributed to Topham by the repository.
Library's copy is closely trimmed within plate mark.
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
In the aftermath of the crisis of early 1783, the past and future ministers are depicted at a table competing for their share in the government. Foremost among them are Fox and North, seated at the top of the table to the left of the King who offers them a loaf signed "Secretary of State." They both hold on to the loaf signed "Treasury," while Lord Shelburne, putting his arm on the shoulder of Dunning, is seated to the King's right, and is now empty-handed. In the lower right corner of the image, two dogs identified as "Pay Office Clerks," attempt to sneak away with bags of money, an allusion to Burke's reinstatement of two clerks, Powell and Bembridge, accused of malversation before his return to the office of paymaster-general. The other two on the right side of the table are Keppel and Burke. Opposite Burke, at the near left corner of the table, sits Conway, the Commander-in-Chief, in general's uniform.
J. H., active 1783, artist.
Darchery, Elizabeth, approximately 1739-1819, publisher.
Peel, Robert, 1788-1850, former owner.