John bull, blindfolded, is being robbed and bullied by the powers of europe who are urged on by pitt. He stands in back view, without his coat, leaning forward with outstretched arms, wearing the wrinkled gaiters by which gillray denotes the countryman (cf. Bmsat 8141, &c). The emperor (left), wearing a crown and a long ermine-lined robe decorated with a habsburg eagle, leans forward from the left, and furtively picks his pocket. He holds a document inscribed 'imperial loan'. Prussia, as a death's head hussar, stands full-face near the emperor and snaps his fingers at john bull, holding out in triumph a money-bag inscribed '£2000000'. On the right john is assailed by france and holland: a lean and ragged sansculotte with clenched fists kicks him behind; a fat dutchman, holding a tobacco-pipe, puffs a blast of smoke in his face. On the extreme left pitt stands in profile to the right, holding john bull's coat and putting his hand into its pocket, he says: "go it, my honies, go it! supple him a little! supple him!" 12 june 1795
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1795. Dimensions: Height: 250 mm; Width: 349 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor, Francis I, Emperor of Austria. Collection: British Museum. Blindmans-buff -or- too many for John Bull (BM 1868,0808.6441)
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