Excerpt from Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires, Vol. 7: Preserved in the Department of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum, 1793-1800 There is tragic coincidence in the appearance of the present volume, dealing with the revolutionary period from 1793 to 1800, at a time when Europe is again overshadowed by war, and divided by national, political, and moral issues which often reflect, in like intensity, the conflicts and controversies of the earlier period. The pictorial illustration of these burning issues was peculiarly suited to the savage genius of Gillray, whose prestige was at its height in England and on the continent. Rowlandson, on the other hand, was less active during these years, though many attractive prints were published after earlier drawings, or as re-issues of earlier plates. A new period of activity opened for him in 1798, when scenes of army life were a fresh inspiration. About the same time begins the series of whole-length caricature portraits, for which Robert Dighton is chiefly known, after his short-lied experiments in political caricature. Unfortunately the Museum collection of these portraits is far from complete. Much interesting work was done by lesser artists, under the influence of Rowlandson and Gillray, Isaac Cruikshank and Woodward being especially prolific. The period covered is one year less than that of Volume VI, and the prints described are more than proportionately fewer. The reason for this is the very great number of political satires for the year 1784, about three times the average of other years, a result of the crisis of 1783-4, followed by a general election, when many prints were used as electioneering literature. Many of the prints of the present volume are international propaganda, some commissioned by the Committee of Public Safety, some fostered by a Ministerial pension to Gillray. The struggle between Pitt and Fox, the leading theme of Volume VI, continues, deepened by issues of war and peace. The Department is particularly indebted to Lord Ilchester, Mr. Anthony de Rothschild, and Mr. Minto Wilson, who have lent valuable collections of caricatures for purposes of collation. The Holland House collection has the exceptional interest of Ms. notes and identifications by the third Lord Holland. The Museum collection has been enriched by gifts from Mr. Minto Wilson and Mr. Robert Cust, while the former and Mr. Alfred Rubens have kindly allowed photographs to be taken of rare prints. Dr. George wishes to express her thanks for the help given her by Mr. E.H. Blakeney, Mr. W.B. Crumpe, Mr. Randall Davies, Dr. Gombrich, Mr. Wickham Legg, Mr. N.D. Riley, and Miss Sybil Rosenfeld. She is also much indebted to the Librarian of the House of Lords for giving her facilities for examining the Gillray collection in the Library, and to the staff of the Library in which she and her material are temporarily housed for their unwearied assistance. The final revision of the volume has been rendered more difficult by Dr. George's absence from the British Museum, and by the consequent lack of opportunity of reference to the Museum Library. I would ask for indulgence in case her habitual accuracy should have suffered thereby in any detail. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com