Billy a cock-horse or the modern colossus amusing himself, Isaac Cruikshank, 1797

An imitation of bmsat 8980 adapted to the currency crisis. Pitt bestrides the speaker's chair on which is a saddle, he wears top-boots in place of shoes, and looks down at the opposition (right) instead of at his own supporters. Instead of bulging coat-pockets, saddlebags are strapped to a belt round his waist; one (left) is 'resources for prosecuting the war'; from it hang strips of paper: '20s british assignats \ 40s do \ 10s d° \ 5s d° \ 2. 6. D°'. Rolled documents also project from it: 'st georges volunteers' [see bmsat 8991]; 'yeomanry fencibles'; 'supplementary cavalry', 'supplementary militia' [see bmsats 8841, 8977]. On the other bag, 'remains of the gold & silver coin', pitt arrogantly rests his left hand. With the spur on his left top-boot he gashes fox, so that a stream of blood pours from his side; he and the other leaders of the opposition are terrified, as in bmsat 8980. Among them only sheridan and erskine can be identified. Pitt's right boot is not spurred; beside and behind it are the ranks of the ministerialists, kneeling in alarmed and bewildered supplication. Only dundas (in highland dress), with wilberforce next him, can be identified. The speaker looks straight before him, holding up both hands; the clerks write, each turning (left to right) towards the group of members next him. Pitt is even more arrogant than in bmsat 8980, and behind him is a gothic moulding which frames his head. 8 march 1797 hand-coloured etching. Date: 1797. Dimensions: Height: 280 mm; Width: 237 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth. Collection: British Museum. Billy a cock-horse or the modern colossus amusing himself (BM 1868,0808.6601)