Pitt, with the body of a gigantic locust (see bmsat 8669), stands on a citadel with low battlemented walls, enclosing a circular space inscribed 'poor old england' (the last word written right to left and in reverse). The locust-body stretches across the whole enclosure at one end of which is a dilapidated tree: 'the remains of the old constitution' (right). Only a few tattered leaves are left on its bare branches and these pitt is eating. He bites a leaf inscribed 'sinecures'; other leaves are 'pen[sion]', 'place', '[pensi]on'. He says: "i must take care of my self & my own relations". Above his head a swarm of locusts with human heads flies (left to right); they are 'french priests'. The boundary wall of england is inscribed (exterior): 'war, excessive taxes, foreign loans, subsidies [see bmsats 8658, 8821, &c. ], guarantees, treachery of allies, monopoly'. (interior): 'dearth of pros, civel discord [see bmsat 8664, &c], the unprincipal opposition, extrovigant pr[ic]es, professed atheism amongs[t] the great, immense debt. ' 14 august 1795. Hand-coloured etching. Date: 1795. Dimensions: Height: 271 mm; Width: 360 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Gen John Pitt, 2nd Earl of Chatham. Collection: British Museum. The political locust (BM 1868,0808.6462)
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