Strong symptoms of loyalty. (BM 1948,0214.637)
Summary
Hadfield stands in profile to the right, pistol in hand, on the stage, the spikes dividing it from the orchestra appearing in the lower left corner of the design. Sheridan (right) seizes him by the neck-cloth. Fox (a poor portrait) grasps the back of his coat-collar. The former says: "you D------d Jacobin Scoundrel, you Democrate Villian, you Republican Rascal You Regicide you Traitor you you. Oh Heaven I fail for lack of words to Express my rage - to attemp - Oh Devil, Fiend - A Monarch whom we Love, A King whom we adore" [quoting Rolla's words, see BMSat 9407, &c.]. Fox says: "Shoot him. Kill him. Hang Him D------n him Assassin. - Oh. words where are you fled". Tierney stands aloof on the right, slyly taking snuff; he says: "Why D------n me you are as bad a Shot as me" (an allusion to his duel with Pitt, see BMSat 9218, &c). See BMSat 9536, &c. A hasty sketch, probably the original of BMSat 9538. c.May 1800
Hand-coloured etching