Mr S-n's Speech, or, the triumph of Genius over Injustice with an illustration of a Nabob's defence, William Dent, 1788

Design in an irregular diamond-shaped lozenge set in a rectangle, in the corners of which are small subsidiary designs. Sheridan stands on mount parnassus, holding up a small irish harp above his head, his left hand is clenched, his left leg held up as if kicking: he has just hurled hastings down the precipitous mountain. Hastings falls head downwards through clouds into space; his jewelled turban falls off, a book of 'oriental tragedies' drops from his hand. Sheridan wears a laurel wreath, his head is irradiated; he says "hence vile author". In the air by his head flies a tiny pegasus, his tail inscribed 'conviction'; on his back stands apollo blowing a trumpet to which is attached a banner inscribed 'soaring speech'. The lower columns of a round temple, inscribed 'apollo's court', are visible on the summit of parnassus. On its slopes, below sheridan, are burke and fox blowing trumpets. The four small designs in the corners of the print are numbered: 'i'. , in the upper right corner, is 'journeymen manufacturing the defence'. Three asses wearing coats stand round a headless corpse inscribed 'state necessity'. One, holding a heart, says "humanity unbounded they dared to resist". Another says "assertions boldly justifying". They are law, plumer, and dallas, hastings's counsel, see bmsat 7321. Behind (left), hastings sleeps in an armchair. 2. , in the upper left corner, is nabob making his defence. The scene resembles the house of commons, not westminster hall. Hastings kneels before the speaker, saying, "to this defence i'll stick. " 3. , in the lower right corner, is 'denying his defence'. A demon emerges from swaddling clothes inscribed 'preface'. Burke (right) stands ringing a bell; he says, "o yes, who owns this bastard". Thurlow (left) stands with a hand on hastings's shoulder, saying, "i'll swear its none of yours". Hastings answers, "none but the wrapper [the preface] mine. " 4. , in the lower left corner, is 'defence turned upon him pointedly'. Sheridan (left) uses a pitchfork to attack hastings, who has the face, tail, and hooves of a demon, and cries 'peccavi'. After the title is etched, 'with an illustration of a nabob's defence'. 9 june 1788 etching with hand-colouring. Date: 1788. Dimensions: Height: 248 mm; Width: 202 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Edmund Burke. Collection: British Museum. Mr S-n's Speech, or, the triumph of Genius over Injustice with an illustration of a Nabob's defence (BM 1868,0808.5745)