Title: THE EXECUTIVE CAPACITY OF THE CROWN AND THE LEGISLATIVE
Materials: paper
Techniques: lithograph
Production person: Print made by John Doyle (HB)
Published by: Thomas McLean
Production place: London, England
Date: JULY 24, 1833
Schools/Styles: British satire

[British Museum Satires no number]

Description
No. 277. A man seated at a dining table set with a tablecloth featuring the crown in centre, and lettered with initials 'W' to left and 'R' to right (King William IV), carving a large piece of meat lettered with 'Civil List's Act', lying on an oval dish; to left, a cat with a man's face seated on the floor, playing with its tail (Lord Grey); to right, a dog with a man's face (Lord Brougham) emerging from underneath the table, holding a bone lettered with 'Legal Reform' .


Curator's comments
Text from 'An Illustrative Key to the Political Sketches of H.B.', London 1841:

William IV is sitting comfortably down to the enjoyment of the Civil List Act, typified by a plentiful sirloin. The words on the label issuing from his lips are the usual formula for the King's giving his assent to Money Bills. On the left hand of the table Lord Grey, in the likeness of a tabby cat, is amusing himself with his long tail, in allusion to the numerous train of relations and connexions whom his Lordship was frequently charged with having found means to provide for, by places and employments, during the period of his administration. At the opposite end Lord Brougham, like a poodle dog, is putting out his curly head, and a paw which holds down a large bone, inscribed 'Legal Reform'. A label from his lips intimates that, when he shall have reformed the law so as to suit his view, he will contrive to have as long a tail as the Premier.

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