The Loss of Eden, And Eden!, Lost by Arnold, Benedict; Eden, William - 1785

1785. 8-1/4" x 12-1/2" hand-colored print. London, 1774. 8-1/4" x 12-1/2" hand-colored print. London, 1774. "Both Alike Have Gain'd the Public Scorn" [Arnold, Benedict (1741-1801)]. [Eden, William, 1st Baron Auckland (1745-1814)]. The Loss of Eden, And Eden!, Lost. London: Printed & Publish'd... by W. Hinton, 21 December 1785. 8-1/4" x 12-1/2" hand-colored etching (image size) above eight lines of verse, attractively mounted and matted. Margins trimmed (with no loss to text), light even toning, a few minor stains to margins, a few negligible tiny spots to image. A good impression with vivid colors. $1,250. * This is a negative appraisal of a distinguished politician who served terms in the English and Irish Parliaments, was Joint Vice-Treasurer of Ireland and President of the British Board of Trade. (The Auckland Islands of New Zealand are named after him.) In 1785 he was appointed Envoy to France on a mission to negotiate commercial treaties. The print denounces this appointment. It claims Eden is unfit because he had a history of using his offices for personal gain at the nation's expense, that he was, in effect a traitor. It depicts Benedict Arnold, in military dress, receiving Eden with open arms. Arnold is shouting "Liberty!"; Eden is holding a freshly-inscribed sheet inscribed with that word. In his pocket are papers marked "Commish.n to America," "?6,000 per annum" and "Commerc'l Negotiator to France." Inscribed above the men is the quote "NB every man has his Price. Sr. Rbt Walpole's Politicks." The verses begin: "Two Patriots (in the self same age was born,) And both alike have gain'd the Public scorn." Stephens and George, Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the Department of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum 6815.