Pitt and dundas on the shore of the irish channel encourage the flight of irish m. P. S across the sea. Pitt holds open a large 'imperial pouch', from whose mouth hang ribbons and stars, and within which stand stiff little men in court dress, bedecked with orders, who say to the foremost flying man: "very snug and convenient brother i assure you". Pitt says: "come on my little fellows - theres plenty of room for you all - the budget is not half full". Behind and above him, and on the extreme left, dundas sits on a large rectangular package divided horizontally between his offices: 'elder brother of the trinity house', 'a secretary [of state for war]', 'govr of the bank in scotland', 'a commissioner for india affair [sic]', 'a commissioner of chelsea hospital', 'a governor of greenwich hospl', 'treasurer of the navy', 'custos rotulorum for middlesex', 'patent printer of the bible in scotland. ', 'chancellor of the university st andrew's', 'joint keeper of the signet in scotland', 'govr of the charter house'. He wears a scots bonnet and plaid and says, beckoning: "if you've ony conscience at a' heres enugh to satisfy ye a'. "
on the opposite shore (right) two men (one ragged) kneel in supplication, a woman stands behind them with outstretched arms, a dog begs beside a naked infant. They say: "och - och - do not leave us - consider your old house, it will look like a big walnut shell - without a kernel". Behind them is a rotunda, indicating the irish parliament; the flight of members starts from its roof. 20 june 1800
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1800. Dimensions: Height: 245 mm (printed image); Width: 391 mm (printed image). Medium: paper. Depicted People: Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville. Collection: British Museum. A flight across the herring pool. (BM 1868,0808.6899 1)
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