The political balloon, or, The fall of East India stock [graphic].[4 December 1783]eng"Fox, seated on a globe, looks down at three men who fall headlong from it. On the globe is sketched a map, intended to represent India. On it are marked, "Gold Mines" and "Madras", and, to the south, Indian Ocean. Fox holds up in his left hand his "Bill to Reform India[n] Affairs". He is saying, "Thanks to my Auspicious Stars, for now I see, the Gold & Silver mines before me; 'tis this I am Soaring for". The central of the men falling head downwards wears a coat with military facings, his wig has fallen from his head; he says, "What my Government gone ere I had made or unmade one Nabob? Oh perdition Seize that wiley Fox". He is perhaps intended for Hastings. The man falling on the left, evidently a Director, is saying, "If the Nation knew his Treacherous heart as well as me, the directors wou'd be prefer'd". The man on the right says, "Must I for ever be hurl'd from such pretty pickings? wou'd I cou'd grapple in my fall the author of it." Coins are falling from the pockets of all three men."--British Museum online catalogueTitle from item.Sheet trimmed within plate mark.