The Times. (Plates I and II)

William Hogarth

London: John Boydel, 1762

[18th century Hogarth print caricaturing political corruption and conflict during the reign of George III and the Seven Years War] Wove paper.  Very wide margin dimensions: 62 x 45 cm. Image dimensions: 10 x 12 inches. Plate I in third state (1762); plate II in fourth state (1790).  Light marginal foxing. 

In the first plate, Hogarth's heavily symbolic engraving shows numerous buildings representing countries (Spain, Germany, France, the world) in flames.  William Pitt is shown on stilts fanning the flames.  At the center, a fire engine representing Great Britain and the King, attempt to put out the flames.  Pitt's brother and other supporters are seen shooting water from the Temple Coffee House on the fire engine (the King), rather than the fire.  The foreground shows refugees who have fled the European war and a fat, prosperous Dutch merchant enriched by the war.  

Plate 2 was suppressed by William Hogarth, and thus not printed until many years after his death by John Boydell.   King George III is shown as the center statute, with Lord John Stuart, Earl of Bute pumping water to potted fruit trees, representing the King's favorites.  Only a small sprinkling of the water reaches the people, shown on the right.  Parliament is shown on the left, firing their guns at the dove of peace (notably Pitt) or in inattention.  Disabled war veterans are shown on the right, blocked by a wall from seeing the King.  In both prints John Wilkes's North Briton is represented.  Wilkes is pillared in Plate II for defamation.  In Plate I, a rude carter carrying Wilkes' North Briton newspaper attempts to block a loyal Scot carrying water to help put out the flames.  Ref: Ronald Paulson Hogarth's Graphic Works, nos. 211-212.