John bull (left) addresses pitt, who drags behind him a puppet-show on wheels, the front of which is removed, showing the interior of the house of commons. Pitt, right hand on breast, bows towards john, who is a stout yokel in a tattered and belted smock; in his left hand are the strings which, passing through the end of the box containing the puppets, are attached to the figures inside, including the speaker and members on both sides of the house. The galleries are empty. He is very thin with swathed gouty legs and large slashed shoes. John wears spectacles, an empty purse hangs from his belt, he holds his hat, in the crown of which are the royal arms, the stamp showing payment of the tax. He bends towards pitt, saying, "i cant get a peep at what is going on in the box. Now thats very hard. I always had had a look in when i liked - now bless ye master billy let me have one squiny". Pitt answers: "i assure you mr bull - i know no more than you do, what is going forward! - i have been ill with the gout, a considerable time [see bmsat 9226] - besides if you were to peep - the machinery is intirely beyond your shallow comprehention!" the open front of the puppet-show is draped, like the proscenium of a theatre, with a curtain, and this is inscribed 'mobilitate viget \ virgil'. A stout member is speaking, close to the speaker's table. The benches are full. 16 july 1798. Hand-coloured etching. Date: 1798. Dimensions: Height: 273 mm; Width: 424 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: William Pitt the Younger. Collection: British Museum. Billy's Fantoccini or John Bull over curious. (BM 1868,0808.6760)
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