Jove in his chair., James Gillray, 1782

Shelburne, in a triumphal car, drawn (left to right) by two decrepit asses, with the heads of dunning (baron ashburton) and general conway. He holds reins in his left hand, which his two steeds hold in their mouths; in his right he flourishes a whip. He is saying, with a subtly complacent smile, "in my presence, scoundrel peasants shall not call their souls their own!" under his feet is britannia's shield; a fleur-de-lys as a crest decorates the side of the car. His head is irradiated. At the back of the car, as a footman, stands william pitt, very young, and holding up in his left hand a 'horn book' with the alphabet to indicate his extreme youth. Under his right arm are two rolled documents inscribed "[chan]cellor of excheqr" and "ways & means". Pitt was chancellor of the exchequer in the new ministry, see bmsat 6023, 6044. In front of the asses, as a running footman, runs col. Barré with a melancholy expression. In his right hand is a money-bag inscribed "3000£ pr annm", indicating the pension which caused so great a scandal, see bmsat 6028. The wings of mercury are attached to his hat and shoes; in his right hand he holds the staff carried by running footmen, with the egg-shaped top which held the egg for the runner's sustenance. 11 september 1782 etching. Date: 1782. Dimensions: Height: 250 mm; Width: 350 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Isaac Barré. Collection: British Museum. Jove in his chair. (BM 1868,0808.4884)