The cardinal in the dumps with the head of the Colossus. [graphic]

"Satire on Cardinal Fleury and French dejction at the success of Admiral Vernon, coupled with condemnation of Robert Walpole for his initial opposition to the war. Fleury, finely dressed in cardinal's robes, rises from a chair and teeters on the edge of a cliff, looking in alarm at a medallion with a laureated head lettered, "Admiral Vernon"; under his arm is a scroll, lettered, "His iron will geet ye better of my Gold./G[o]d, he'll take all our Aquisitions in America." July 1740. Behind Fleury is a wall covered in graffiti: a gallows from which hangs a fat man (Walpole) lettered, "No matter yt he is long than ye Gallow's"; a man with the head of a bird who pushes a wheelbarrow; a windmill; a donkey laden with a pack; the heady of an angry Spaniard with a bird on his hat; another Spaniard, whole-length, leaning on a stick, a dog biting the tail of his cloak and two birds flying around his head; in the middle of the wall is a circular opening through which can be seen "Poor Hosier's Fleet"; a cock lettered, "Crown'd twice", stands on the wall. A pole rises from the wall, bearing a severed head, lettering identifies this as "Wall/Pole"; a ribbon hangs from the mouth lettered, "What Pity is it we can die but Once to serve our Country/Ad. Cato." Behind the wall on the right, is an imposing building flying the union flag; three crowns rest on clouds, and lightning flashes in the sky. The scene is set in a rococo frame with verses below."--British Museum online catalogue