The first NAUTICAL SOVEREIGN COACH, Just Started. – pro bono publico.

A satire on the change of Ministry. After the title: ‘pro bono publico’. William IV drives (right to left) a mail-coach, ‘The Adelaide’, with the Queen’s head framed by the window. The horses have human heads: the near leader, a skewbald, is Grey, harnessed with Brougham, in barrister’s wig the wheelers are Althorp and Lord Holland. Just behind the box-seat are four outside passengers, one wearing a smock and holding a pitchfork. His neighbour says: ‘they say Sailors can’t drive, but they will find we have not had such a Coachman these ten years!’ The King, flicking his whip over his team, says: ‘Steady my Boy’s, pull altogether—. I say my Lads behind. Keep a sharp look out, there are some suspicious looking Characters on the Road!!!’ In the dickey behind, as footmen in livery, Wellington and Peel sit facing each other. The Duke: ‘I say Bob, I do’nt much like this situation,—do you?’ Peel: ‘No, nor this livery either’. Running along beside the coach are Ministers (left to right): Melville (identified by a paper in his pocket), Aberdeen, Ellenborough, Scarlett (holding a (red) brief-bag), Lyndhurst. Melville shouts: ‘Holloa Coachman stop,—We want Places’ [cf. BM Satires No. 17037 &c.]. The King answers: ‘No room,—all full, inside and Out’ Source British Museum Bibliographic reference BM Satires 16358