The Long-Winded Speech, or the oratorical organ harmonized with sublime and beautiful inflation, William Dent, 1788

Sheridan leans forward making a prolix speech indicated by ribbons which issue from his mouth; he is the mouthpiece of burke at the instigation of fox: fox (right) kneels applying to sheridan's posteriors a bellows formed of the profile head of burke. The ribbons are inscribed: 'jaghire elephant oude bamboo cages begums begums begums plundered princesses sacrificed begums filial duty wantonly destroyed shackled eunuchs sustenance forbid strangled ministers treaties violated rebellion nominal cruelties confirmed incontrovertible evidence natives annihilated. Witnesses biassed defence denied. ' 4 june 1788 etching with hand-colouring. Date: 1788. Dimensions: Height: 148 mm; Width: 100 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Collection: British Museum. The Long-Winded Speech, or the oratorical organ harmonized with sublime and beautiful inflation (BM 1948,0214.512)