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Satirizing The English Shop Tax of 1785
This 1785 British satirical print, engraved and published by S. W. Fores, captures the fervent public outcry against Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger’s unpopular shop tax proposal.
The central figure, Pitt, is depicted riding a snorting bull (symbolic of John Bull, representing England) while facing backward, holding the bull’s tail in his left hand and flourishing a loop of rope with his right. His back bears a document labeled "Irish Bill," and a signpost directs "To Dublin," indicating his connection to Irish affairs.
Pitt's ride on the bull is fraught with peril as he gallops away from an enraged mob of shopkeepers. The ground beneath the bull is littered with petitions from various cities, including "West[minster] Petition," "Manche[ster] Petition," and "London Petition," symbolizing widespread opposition. The mob advances from the left, their faces contorted with fury, hurling missiles, and brandishing makeshift weapons. One particularly aggressive figure wields a cat by its tail, threatening to "dowse this in his chops" as retribution for the shop tax. Another man, a butcher, clutches a cleaver, menacingly addressing Pitt with "M^ Pitt M^ Pitt Yourself you'll Be."
The mob is unified under banners declaring "No Shop Tax" and "No Tax on Maids," rallying cries for their cause. The cap of Liberty is hoisted on a pole, a potent symbol of resistance. In the background, shuttered shops bear the inscription "Those Shops to Lett enquire of M^ Pitt," a direct criticism of the economic impact of Pitt’s policies. On the pavement, Charles James Fox and the Prince of Wales stand arm-in-arm, grinning at the chaos, highlighting the political schism and the opposition's delight in Pitt’s predicament.
The scene immortalizes the public’s vehement reaction to Pitt's shop tax, a levy proposed to raise revenue but perceived as burdensome and unfair. On June 14, 1785, riots erupted in Westminster, where Pitt was jeered and later effigized. This print serves as a vivid illustration of the tumultuous political climate of the era, showcasing the public's capacity for direct action and the volatile nature of 18th-century British politics. The inclusion of figures such as Fox and the Prince of Wales underscores the political intrigue and factionalism that characterized Pitt’s tenure, providing a rich tableau of the socio-political landscape of the time.
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