The screen : a simile

"Satire on Robert Walpole and his continuing influence on government after his fall from power. A large folding screen in the centre stands open showing events from Walpole's career: the South Sea Bubble, the treaties of Hanover and Seville, the "Bank contract" of 1720, Admiral Hosier's expedition to Cartagena, the Excise Scheme (depicted as BM Satires 1918), the War of Jenkins' Ear, the Convention of the Pardo, the English ships held in the port of San Sebastian in 1740 (see BM Satires 2418 and 2440), and a general reference to "Bribery, &c.". A mirror on the left reveal that Walpole is standing behind the screen pulling strings that operate members of parliament assembled in the chamber shown below. Above the screen is a separate scene showing the reconciliation between George II and Frederick, Prince of Wales, early in 1742. To the right stands the Duke of Argyll in Garter robes resting against a lectern and pointing to Wapole's misdeeds as portrayed on the screen; above Argyll's head hangs a picture of Diogenes holding his lamp and a portrait of the "honest man" he sought; beside Argyll is lettered, "Glorious and Brave to shake Corruption's Seat, But much more Glorious is thy brave Retreat". Two columns of letterpress verse below warn "William", i.e. Pulteney, that Walpole continues to influence governement."