The Union Coach
This satire comments on the Act of Union, which went into effect on January 1, 1801. Pitt drives the coach, and Dundas sits on the roof holding a blunderbuss and a bag of nuts, saying to the Irishmen in a basket behind: "Theres the shells for you, ye Quarrelsome Crew." Five thin Scottish members are inside, one takes snuff and asks: "Hoot man is this the way to the Treasury". Another shouts to the Irish Members: "Why This is quit warm & Cosey canna ye haud yere tongues ye Bullocking Bulls!!" The Irishmen say: "I dont much relish this Union Coach the Guard told us the back seats were the best, by Shaint Patrick the front ones must be bad enough then!" Pitt says: "These Paddys in the Basket are the most troublesome People I ever Drove - aye - aye it's a sign they're not used to such Good Travelling - come up there - e up - e up ss - go along - thats your sort / Hey - Hey - If they grumble so now what will they say when I tip them the Long Trot over the Hard Flints in Parliament Street."
Artwork Details
- Title: The Union Coach
- Artist: Isaac Cruikshank (British (born Scotland), Edinburgh 1764–1811 London)
- Publisher: S. W. Fores (London)
- Subject: William Pitt (British, 1759–1806)
- Subject: Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville (British, Edinburgh, Scotland 1742–1811 Edinburgh)
- Date: June 4, 1799
- Medium: Hand-colored etching
- Dimensions: Sheet: 9 3/8 × 15 3/8 in. (23.8 × 39 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Gift of Adele S. Gollin, 1976
- Object Number: 1976.602.70
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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