The [Ass]-headed and [Cow]-[Heart]-ed Ministry making the British [Lion] give up the Pull

DateMay 8, 1783

Publisher J. Barrow

MediumBlack and sepia line engraving

DimensionsOH: 8 11/16" x OW: 15 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1960-113

DescriptionThe lower margin reads: "The [Ass]-headed and [Cow]-[Heart]-ed Ministry making the British [Lion] give up the Pull/ This Plate is designed for a Memorial of the Strength of the British Constitution, being able to cope with four Powers: and also to truly represent a Set of frantic, sophistical Patriots who/ when they had wrangled themselves into Ministry, found themselves intirely incapable of the Task, Therefore very suddenly made very humiliating Concessions to France, to obtain a/ Peace, to the great Mortification of every true Briton, (the British Lion being in full Strength and had just obtain'd some glorious victories over the French and Spaniards.)/ Thus by a desponding Ministry Merica got Independency, and France attain'd all her perfidious ends."

Animals are effectively substituted for words in the rebus-like title and are also employed in the satire to represent the nations striving to reach a satisfactory peace treaty following the Revolution. A great harness with the British lion on one side and the four allied nations on the other is joined over the center of a pit and each side strives to pull the other into the hole. A rope attached to the lion's head is held by ass-headed ministers whose comments display their lack of agreement on terms for the treaty. As the title suggests, this may contribute to the lack of force (pull) of the British lion.

The enemies- Spain, now a hound, the French cock, the American rattlesnake, and pug dog Holland- are concerned that the proposed treaty might be more favorable to the British if only its leaders could agree among themselves. Above, a double-headed eagle, Russia, straddles the pit to symbolize its continued neutral stance.

The lion's lengthily verse states the problem clearly:

My honour's Sirs, who me pretend to lead,
Tis plain the office does not sute your head.
Your hearts like mine all dangers should engage,
The more my foes, the more enflam's I rage.
Who leads a Lion, should himself be bold,
But you are Dastards, and it shall be told.
By France I'm injured, yet you ask them peace,
What shall I call you? puppies, sheep, or geese?
To know you're such, go ask each British Tar,
Which would a Frenchman ask to end a war.
O'er the Atlantic, in the martial field,
You held me in, and now you make me yield;
And tho' I'm able to maintain my State,
I fall by Goose-caps, and by Fox's prate.
I want a brave to lead me on to fight,
To scorn a Peace, till I have all my right,
But you're scarce fit to lead me out to sh---
How hard my fate that such should me control,
Who realy are without a British Soul,
For ever blush, for all the wise can see,
You are but Asses and make one of me.

The inscription below the title places blame for Britain's condition.
ProvenanceEx coll: H. Dunscombe Colt. Other known copies: Halsey Collection at Brown; Peel Collection at the Morgan Library; New York Historical Society collection.