English: —a Kick at the Broad-Bottoms!—i.e.—Emancipation of "All the Talents". Vide, the Fate of the Catholic Bill.

Js. Gillray, inv. & fec.

SUMMARY: King George III, his face hidden by a pillar, grabs the pigtail of Lord Grenville, and holds his scepter as if ready to strike Grenville. Members of the government, including Howick, holding a torn copy of the Catholic Bill, Ellenborough, Buckingham, Temple, Windham, Moira, Sidmouth and Sheridan, rush from the room, falling on each other in the process. Petty and Erskine are sprawled on the floor. The king stands in front of his throne next to which is a Bible and a crown.

MEDIUM: 1 print : etching, hand-colored.

CREATED/PUBLISHED: [London] : H. Humphrey, 1807 March 23.

According to Wright & Evans, Historical and Descriptive Account of the Caricatures of James Gillray (1851, OCLC 59510372), pp. 296–301, 'The enraged King exclaims, "What! what! bring in the Papists! O you cunning Jesuits, you! What, you thought I was like little Boney, and would turn Turk or anything! but if you have no faith or conscience, I have! ay, and a little Protestant spunk too! so, out with you all! out, with all your Broad-Bottom'd Popish plots! Out with you!—out! out! out!" The King, holding his scepter in his right hand, is aiming a blow at Lord Grenville; he has seized his hair with his left, his foot is placed on that part of Lord Grenville, which is usually denominated the seat of honour. In Lord Grenville's left hand is the "Catholic Bill, for bringing the Papists into power, and supporting the Broad-Bottom Jesuits in their places." Lord Howick holds in his left hand the "Bill for securing the Papists in commanding of the Army and the Navy, and all the Public Offices." The position of his right hand shews that he has already received a kick similar to that given to his colleague. The position of Lord Temple's hand behind him testifies a similar castigation. Lord Ellenborough's hand indicates a soreness in the same part. The Marquis of Buckingham and Windham are astonished. Lord Moira and Lord Lauderdale stand aghast. Lord Sidmouth and Sheridan are endeavouring to escape out at the door. Lord Henry Petty, in his Exchequer robe, and Lord Erskine, in the costume of Chancellor, with the purse by his side, are lying prostrate on the floor.'