Spectacles for Republicans (BM 1868,0808.6481)

A design in two ovals representing the glasses of spectacles; the rim of one (left) is coloured yellow, of the other black. On the left a peasant sits in a chair, a child on his knee, another beside him; he holds out a tankard to his buxom wife who sits (left) at a large spinning-wheel. Beside her is a table on which are a pitcher and plate. Behind is the corner of a cottage. A pig (left) puts his head into the design. A spade and pitchfork lean against the man's chair. Above their heads is a crown with the words 'God save the king'. Beneath the oval: 'The land we live in and may those that dont like it leave it.'
On the right a headless man (Louis XVI) stands with his hat under his arm, pointing towards a head which lies on the ground. Behind him (left) stands the Devil, grinning, his hands on his hips. The oval is surrounded by a string of (twenty-five) decollated heads. Beneath: 'A Philosophical cure for all evils Licentious Liberty is Destruction'. Verses are inscribed beneath each oval, beginning:

'See how, beneath the Crown's protection smiles
The peaceful Subject of these happy Isles!
While equal Laws secure the Peasant's shade,
Who dares his well earn'd Property invade?'

And:

'The Crown remov'd - behold the sad reverse,
When raging Factions seize the public purse;
Urg'd by the Fiend, and drunk with lawless Power
They reign the cruel Tyrants of an Hour.' 24 November 1795

Hand-coloured etching