Poor Vulcan and his Cyclops preparing impeachment proof, William Dent, 1786

A blacksmith's forge; fox (centre) holds a piece of iron, inscribed 'proof', on the anvil which burke (left) raises his hammer to strike. A second hammer-man raises his hammer, his arms concealing his head; he is probably francis. North (right) kneels blowing up the fire with his mouth, his bellows hang on the wall behind him. All wear leather aprons and are in shirt-sleeves, north wearing his ribbon. Fox supports himself with a crutch; his left sleeve is torn at the elbow, revealing two dice inscribed, 'dr brookes's elbow grease', an allusion to his gaming at brooks's, cf. Bmsat 5972, 6013, &c. The anvil consists of two blocks: on the upper is drawn a brooding hen with the head of burke sitting on scrolls inscribed 'murder' and (reversed) 'peculation'; on the lower block burke, armless and legless, lies face downwards, his head resting on a pointed weapon inscribed 'impeachment'; beneath is etched, 'the force of envy'. On the wall above the anvil is a piece of crumpled sheet metal, inscribed 'accusation'. A large piece of rough iron lies on the ground (right) inscribed 'impeachment'. 29 april 1786 etching with hand-colouring. Date: 1786. Dimensions: Height: 249 mm; Width: 350 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Cyclops. Collection: British Museum. Poor Vulcan and his Cyclops preparing impeachment proof (BM 1868,0808.5524)