The Council of war in 1756 [engraving]|Merit and demerit made conspicuous, or, The pillers of the publick prov'd [engraving]|The contrast, or, Britannias distributive justice exemplified [engraving]|Cowardice rewarded, or, The devil will have his due [engraving]

The Council of war in 1756 [engraving]|Merit and demerit made conspicuous, or, The pillers of the publick prov'd [engraving]|The contrast, or, Britannias distributive justice exemplified [engraving]|Cowardice rewarded, or, The devil will have his due [engraving]

[London? s.n., 1757?]

1 broadside (double) in 4 sections : ill. ; 46 x 51 cm. on a double sheet 47 x 60 cm.

IN L2005F180 1698/1811 ff

Each separate illustrated section is accompanied by a satiric verse. No. [1], at upper left, depicts a Council of War seated around a table on board ship, each expressing different opinions about the proper course of action at Minorca. Two of the accompanying lines: "This council (save two) ignobly agreed/ To keep in whole skins, not venture to bleed.: No. [2], upper right: Blakeney, one of the two pillars, is hailed by Britannia as a hero, while the other pillar (Byng), accompanied by his crew, is shown to be under the influence of the devils, some of whom waste the English treasure. Beneath their feet, English arms are rendered useless, and a French cur shows his disdain for the British flag. "See here a pillar, firm unshaken stand,/ Deck'd with the martial ensigns of the land ... [and] Another pillar stood as fair to view,/ Till by French metal touch'd, to pieces flew...." No.[3], lower left: Blakeney, as "Christian hero" stands to Britannia's right, receiving her reward of a garter decoration; Byng, to her left, receives a halter as his reward."Tis Britannias decree Heres a halter for B__g/ As he fought like a sheep like a dog let him swing." No.[ 4], lower right: Byng, pictured at center with a rope around his neck, is condemned by Mars, Neptune, and Britannia. The devil, at right, requests his due.
Though these satiric prints present a one-sided view of initial public anger over the loss of Minorca, the Admiralty and ministers were no doubt relieved to find a scapegoat in Byng.
For a discussion of events surrounding the appearance of these and other satires based on Byng's trial and execution, see Thomas Wright. Caricature history of the Georges (1968), p. 188-196.
Between leaves 3v and 4r of The Tragedy of Admiral Byng, 1756-1757
See also, in this same volume on leaf 9v, another slightly trimmed version of #1, The council of war in 1756. It contains pencilled identification of some of the council members. In addition, another version from a different plate, appears on leaf 49r; it contains abbreviated identifications of the individuals pictured. (Cataloged separately)
Library has a similar version of Cowardice Rewarded; see P&E L2005F133m. The Title is in different setting (no italics) and no satiric verse accompanies the image. It does, however, contain the following information, not present here: Price 6d [and] 'Publish'd as the act directs.
See leaf 117r of The Tragedy of Admiral Byng for a copy of section 3, The contrast, or Britannias distributive justice exemplified; another version (with an apostrophe in Britannia's) appears in the same location.

British Library catalog numbers appear in pencilon each section: #1: 3360; #2: 3483; 3#: 3366; #4 3485

L2005F180

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