Three citizens seated at a small round table to drink punch, smoke, and discuss the news, are interrupted by a fat justice (right) who stands in profile to the left, drinking from their punch-bowl. He says: "by virtue of my authority. I am come to taste whether there is any sedition in the punch bowl!!!" from his pocket protrude two papers: 'convention bill' and 'riot act'. Under his feet is the 'bill of rights'. The three men, grouped close together (left), look at the intruder with expressions of angry dismay. On the table are glasses, a pipe, and newspaper: telegraph. Under the table are two dogs, their collars inscribed john bull and pitt. The former (left) is closely muzzled (cf. Bmsat 8693, &c); between his fore-paws is a bone at which pitt sniffs. 17 november 1795. Hand-coloured etching. Date: 1795. Dimensions: Height: 345 mm; Width: 249 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: William Pitt the Younger. Collection: British Museum. A magisterial visit. (BM 1868,0808.6475)
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