Nelson's victory, or good-news operating upon loyal feelings

Gillray, James, 1756-1815 · October 3, 1798

Another satire on the supposed mortification of the Whigs at the destruction of the French fleet. The leaders of the party are expressing their feelings in a variety of different ways. They had predicted a very different termination of the war (Wright/Evans). Members of the opposition react to the news of Nelson's victory. Top row: Burdett, Jekyll stands beside the seated Lansdowne, Bedford tears the news sheet and Erskine sniffs smelling salts. Bottom row: Norfolk sits beside signs of debauch, Tierney (left) and Sheriden (right) look at each other across a table, Fox wearing a bonnet-rouge, has a noose around his neck. Lady Holland in November of 1798 described the "lamentable plight" of the opposition because of the British successes in both Ireland and Egypt "so contrary to their predictions" (BM).