[A PICTURESQUE VIEW OF THE STATE OF THE NATION FOR FEBRUARY 1778]

[Netherlands?, 1780. Oblong cartoon engraving, 7-1/4" x 11-1/4." Matted on paper backing. Minor dusting, Very Good.

The engraving, which initially appeared in Westminster Magazine in February 1778, was frequently re-engraved. Our version, offered here, was issued without a date or credit line. It is thought to have been printed in the Netherlands. The Westminster Magazine described the scene as follows:
" I. The commerce of Great Britain, represented in the figure of a Milch-Cow.
"II. The American Congress sawing off her horns, which are her natural strength and defence: one being already gone, the other just a-going.
"III. (truncated) The jolly, plump Dutchman milking the poor tame Cow with great glee.
"IV and V. The Frenchman and Spaniard, each catching at their respective shares of the produce, and running away with bowls brimming full, laughing to one another at their success.
"VI. The good ship Eagle laid up, and moved at some distance from Philadelphia, without sails or guns, ... all the rest of the fleet invisible, nobody knows where.
"VII. The two Brothers napping it, one against the other, in the City of Philadelphia, out of sight of fleet and army.
"VIII. The British Lion lying on the ground fast asleep, so that a pug-dog tramples upon him, as on a lifeless log: he seems to see nothing, hear nothing, and feel nothing.
"IX. A Free Englishman in mourning standing by him, wringing his hands, casting up his eyes in despondency and despair, but unable to rouse the Lion to correct all these invaders of his Royal Prerogative, and his subjects' property."
BM 5472. Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum [variant]. See Cresswell 726. (Inventory #: 36742)