Citizens visiting the Bastille vide democratic charities / [graphic]

"Sir Francis Burdett, one hand on the knocker of the large iron-studded door, addresses the gaoler, a burly ruffian with large keys, who stands just inside, holding open one leaf of the door. He says, one finger raised: "Hush! - Harkee! - open the door! - I want only to see if my Brother Citizens have Candles & Fires, & good Beds, & clean Girls, for their accommodation, - that all!!! Hush! open the Door! quick!!" The gaoler answers: "Hay? - what? - let You in, hay? - no! no! - we're bad enough here, already! - let you in! no! - no! - that would be too bad; - You're enough to corrupt the whole College." From Burdett's pocket hangs a paper: 'Secret Correspondence with O'Conner Evans Quigley Despard' (see BMSat 9189). In the background a hackney coach is driving under the high prison wall towards the gate. The profile of Courtenay (on the extreme left) looks from the window to say: "Drive me to the Bastille you dog". The driver answers: "To Cold Bath College, you mean I suppose! - to take up your Degrees Master." Above the massive gateway is inscribed: 'The House of \ Correction for the \ County of Middlesex. \ 1794 \ .'"--British Museum online catalogue