Set of two original antique copper-plate engraving.
Published by Craddock & Baldwin, 1820
Plate 1.
A city on fire, emblematic of the Seven Years War and George III's efforts to bring about peace; in the centre, a fire-engine on which stands a man with a badge lettered "GR" aiming his hose at a shop-sign of the globe; other fire-fighters dressed as soldiers, sailors and Scots in plaid; beyond, a group of City of London aldermen and butchers cheer William Pitt (in earlier states represented by the figure of Henry VIII) standing on stilts and pumping bellows to encourage the flames; to left, a number of shop-signs referring to political factions, including "Newcastle Inn" and "The Patriot Arms"; to right, women and children rendered homeless by the fire and a bare-legged fiddler; above a dove of peace emerges from the clouds. 1762
Plate 2 was suppressed by William Hogarth, and thus not printed until many years after his death by John Boydell. King George III is shown as the center statute, with Lord John Stuart, Earl of Bute pumping water to potted fruit trees, representing the King's favorites. Only a small sprinkling of the water reaches the people, shown on the right. Parliament is shown on the left, firing their guns at the dove of peace (notably Pitt) or in inattention. Disabled war veterans are shown on the right, blocked by a wall from seeing the King. In both prints John Wilkes's North Briton is represented. Wilkes is pillared in Plate II for defamation. In Plate I, a rude carter carrying Wilkes' North Briton newspaper attempts to block a loyal Scot carrying water to help put out the flames.
