A block for the wigs - or, the new state whirligig by James Gillray, 5 May 1783

A block for the wigs—or, the new state whirligig js. Gy. D. & ft. Summary: cartoon shows a carousel on which sit government ministers charles fox, lord north, edmund burke and admiral keppel. Beam in the center of the carousel platform is a pillar topped by a bust of king george iii, a wig and union jack suspended over the bust. In the background two robbers lower a large bundle from the window of a building. An inscription above the cartoon reads "poor john bull's house plunder'd at noon day. " medium: 1 print: etching. Created/published: [london]: w. Humphrey, 1783 may 5th. Puns include wig for whig and block for the device for beheading, the head-shaped device for forming wigs, and blockhead as in stupid person. Burke is dressed as a jesuit, is reading from sublime and beautiful, and has a skeleton for a leg. Date: 5 May 1783.