The H-r bubble [graphic].

"Satire on George II's wish for continuing British subsidies for Hanoverian forces in the war of Austrian Succesion, and the objections of some British politicians. In an open loggia on the left the king sits at a table, over which is spread a map of northern Europe on top of which is a teetotum, lettered "160,000 for year", the tip of which is pointing towards him. He exclaims to a group of politicians around the table that he has won the whole stake, "Je tire tous les enjeux, Tenez, la voici" . Across the table from him John Carteret, who has a second, anxious, face peering through the back of his wig, replies "Well thrown the Balance is on our Side to a T". Beside the king another politician, holding a pen, remarks "More money for the year, & you shall have a P[eace]". The Duke of Cumberland standing beside Carteret wit h his hand resting on his sword hilt says "Smart money I've ventured my Life", a man beside him tells him "You have fought bravely take H[a]n[ove]r". In the centre the British Lion lies on the Act of Settlement, his back piled high with papers lettered "Dains", "Hessians", "Austrean", "H[a]n[o]ve[ria]ns", "Vots of Ct", "Sinking F[un]d", "lottery tickets", "lott[ery] next year, for 16000,000". The white horse of Hanover rests his fore legs on top of these and above the Austrian eagle flies with the French cock on its back. The lion laments "I can Bear it no more I'll be Bubble'd no longer". A politician to the right of the lion moves as if to lighten its burden saying, "Poor Lion, wee shall Oppose this foul Play", another behind him , holding a commander's baton pushes forward saying "The English sav'd him, where was his H-gs" ; another, wearing a sash decorated with eagles, restrains him saying "1,000,000 is too much for Mercenaries", another politician reassures him that "G[o]d be prais'd they have preserv'd ye Balance in Europe"; in the background another says "D[a]m it the D[ice] is Loaded"."--British Museum online catalogue