The Rubbish Carter: John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon FRS, FSA (1751-1838) and his wife Elizabeth Surtees, Countess of Eldon (1754-1831)
John Phillips (fl.1825-1831)
Category
Art / Prints
Date
Mar 1829
Materials
Ink, Paper
Measurements
270 x 440 mm
Order this imageCollection
Osterley Park and House, London
NT 771671
Summary
Print, engraving, The Rubbish Carter: John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon FRS, FSA (1751-1838) and his wife Elizabeth Surtees, Countess of Eldon (1754-1831) by John Phillips (fl.1825-1831). Cartoon printed on paper mounted on paper entitled 'The Rubbish Carter'. The Earl of Eldon, is dressed as a carter and stands holding a whip, his back to a two-wheeled cart with rolled documents (petitions), and inscribed 'Old Baggs Carter 160'. In his hat is a blue 'No Popery' ticket. He wears a patched coat, an apron, and short gaiters. On the right behind the cart is an old crone, Lady Eldon, stooping to collect in her apron documents that have fallen from the cart. Round her shoulders hangs a small barrel of 'Swipes' [small beer]. Eldon looks at his wife with a melancholy expression, saying, 'This is a hard job; but we must make the best thing we can of it.' She answers: 'Ah! John, if you had kept your last place [cf. BM Satires No. 15380] you'd have been better paid for your dirty work; but these parchments shall not be lost—they'll fetch something.' Four of the rolls are inscribed respectively: 'Old Lady's Petition'; 'Pauper's Petition'; 'Felon's Petition'; 'Children's Petition'.
Provenance
Jersey bequest March 1993
Makers and roles
John Phillips (fl.1825-1831), engraver (printmaker)