Excise Bill 1733 (1 results)

"Sheets" ; 37 x 24 cm.Ten pages printed on a total of the six leaves of three folio bifoliums (leaf dimensions roughly 40.5 x 25 cm). The first part, apparently intended to fold around the others, is unpaginated, and printed on the recto of the first leaf and the verso of the last leaf of the bifolium. Each page consists of a list, divided into three columns of small print, giving details of the vote, with the names of the members, their constituencies, and a key revealing biographical information (e.g. 'Privy-Counsellors' [sic] and 'for and against Maintaining the Hessian Troops'). The first section is aged and with several closed tears, and with some loss resulting in damage to three words. The second and third sections are in better condition, though creased and on aged paper, and stitched together and paginated [3]-10. Pp.[3]-6 consist of the section entitled 'The Lords Protest', reporting a debate on the Bill in the House of Lords on 23 February 1732. Pp.[7]-10 carry the poem, with pp.9-10 consisting of 'Britannia Excisa: Britain Excis'd. Part II. Tune of, Packington's Pound.' At the head of p.[7] is a sensational engraving (11.5 x 16.5 cm) of a five-headed monster pulling a coach in which a figure (Walpole) sits complacently. The monster, representing the bill, flings goods this way and that with its mouths, while two figures on foot run for cover. The first part of the poem begins 'Folks talk of Supplies | To be rais'd by Excise, | Old Caleb is bloodily nettl'd;'. The first stanza of the second part reads 'Ye Knaves and ye Fools, ye Maids, Widows and Wives, | Come cast away Care, and rejoice all your Lives; | For since England was England, I dare boldly say, | There ne'er was such Cause for a Thanksgiving Day; | For if we're but wise, | And vote for the Excise, | Sir Blue-S--ing [Walpole, 'Sir Blue String', alluding to the ribbon of his Order of the Garter] declares (as you know he ne'er lies!) | He'll dismiss the whole Custom-House rascally Crew, | And fix in each Town an Excise-man or two.' Excessively scarce: the copies on COPAC consisting of electronic reproductions of the British Library copy. See Image of first folio page, "An Exact List [.]".