The king, seated on a throne on a dais of two steps, says, "i trust we have got such a house of commons as we wanted". On his right is thurlow (left) with the body of a bird of prey; he is saying "damn the commons, the lords shall rule". Behind the throne crouches bute in highland dress, saying to thurlow, "very gude, very gude damn the commons". On the king's left is a head in profile to the left supported on an erect serpent's body; probably intended for pitt (a poor portrait but resembling pitt in bmsat 6664). In the foreground (right) sits britannia asleep, resting her elbow on her shield. A man wearing a ribbon, perhaps the prince of wales, rushes up from the right with outstretched arms, saying, "thieves! thieves! zounds awake madam or you'll have your throat cut. " 18 may 1784 [so dated by mr. Hawkins and grego]
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1784. Dimensions: Height: 240 mm; Width: 333 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute. Collection: British Museum. Secret influence directing the new P-l-t (BM 1851,0901.275)
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