Major scott (right) hauls at a broad ribbon round hastings's neck by which he is being drawn up to a gibbet. The ribbon, which passes over a pulley, is inscribed 'defence of w. Hasti--gs esqr'. To each of hastings's feet a large money-bag is attached inscribed respectively 'rupees' and 'pagodas'. Hastings looks with terror towards an indian with a noose round his neck who emerges from flames and smoke, saying, "i am nuncomar's spirit, hast**gs - follow me!". Small demons in the flames show that nuncomar is in hell. The top of the gibbet is decorated with the mask of burke looking towards hastings with a satisfied smile. The king and queen stand together on the left, mourning the fate of hastings. The queen is much caricatured as a lean hag, clasping her hands and turning up her eyes; she is pregnant. Under the king's arm is a large packet inscribed 'bulse'. Hastings, scott, and the king wear oriental dress with turbans, that of the king surmounted by a crown. In the background an oriental town is in ruins but flies the british flag; tiny corpses lie in front of the buildings, two of which are chinese pagodas resembling the one at kew. 9 june 1787
hand-coloured etching. Date: 1787. Dimensions: Height: 220 mm; Width: 171 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Charlotte, Queen of George III. Collection: British Museum. The friendly agent. (BM 1851,0901.361)
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