Carrying the Union (BM 1868,0808.6872)

Pitt and Lord Clare carry off Erin from Ireland to England seated on the British lion which leaps the 'Irish Sea' and is about to land on a grassy cliff inscribed 'Holyhead'. Pitt, dishevelled, has the reins and triumphantly holds out his sword. Behind him sits Erin, making a gesture of despair; Clare, wearing his Chancellor's wig and gown, holds her round the waist, saying, "Push on my dear Boy, here's St Patrick and all his wild Irish Pat-riots at our heels - " The three are linked by a ribbon inscribed 'Union Belt'. Erin has dropped in the sea her harp, a crown, and a wreath of shamrock. On the Irish side of the Channel men riding galloping Irish bulls are in hot pursuit. St. Patrick, wearing a mitre and holding out a crown, has reached the coast. Behind are five men, the foremost, with a club or shillelah, shouts "O you terrible Thief with the sword to run away with our Beauty from the Lads of Shillelee! A fellow without any bottom too! Oh murder! murder! ten times murder." Next is the Speaker, Foster, in wig and gown, holding the mace; he says: "Poor Girl She'll be nicly [sic] Foster'd in his bosom Ock hone oh." Grattan follows, holding a club. Two others appear, like the first, to be undifferentiated Irishmen. 1800

Hand-coloured etching