The tempest, or, Prospero triumphant a sketch from the picture lately exhibited at the National Gallery / [graphic]

"Canning in a long robe and floating cloak stands on a Rock of Integrity, against which huge waves are dashing. He holds out a wand, saying, The Tempest has to the point obeyed my spells, | And cast my enemies within my power. The enemies are Eldon, whose head and arms emerge from the waves; Melville, leaning against an overturned (timber) Admiralty Board at the water's edge, and Wellington, in uniform, riding a prancing horse in the sea; a huge baton inscribed Comd in Chief floats away from him. Two big jack-boots emerge from the water, each clutched at by a drowning man. Near Eldon, a creature (? Caliban) supports above the water the head of a second judge and holds up a (?) mirror. Tossed by great waves at the base of the rock are three open boats, each having a small sail, manned by those who have succeeded the 'enemies'. One is The Copley; in it stands Copley (now Lyndhurst) who has just hurled a harpoon which transfixes Eldon's wig. A bird of prey is about to peck the latter's bald head. In an adjacent boat, The Leach, stands Leach holding a harpoon. Behind them is a slightly larger boat, The Anglesea Cutter, in which are three men: Anglesey in civilian dress holding out a drag-net towards Wellington's back; the (?) Duke of Devonshire holding a grappling-iron, and Scarlett. At the water's edge (right) stands a glorified Duke of Clarence as Neptune, holding a trident and supported by two tritons blowing cornucopia-shells. He is in full light and towers above Melville, who lies below in shadow. Behind Canning's back a figure kneels imploringly on the edge of his rock, saying, Oh! take me back to the hospitable shelter of the Duchy, showing that he is Bexley, who having resigned, withdrew his resignation on 12 Apr. (cf. BM Satires 15391). On the shore in the foreground (left) sits the largest and most conspicuous figure, John Bull (not named), with a big burden on his back: National Debt. He has a countryman's short gaiters, is ragged, with a broken shoe and bare toes, but has a grog-blossom nose and smiles delightedly towards Canning. From his pocket hang Petitions for Reform. Near him stands an elegant Erin, playing her harp, a rose-bush at her feet, emblem of Anglo-Irish conciliation. In the air is a demoniac creature riding a dragon, which breathes flames of Superstition. Holding out two firebrands, Bigotry and Intolerance, he looks down at the unconscious Erin; from his mouth issues a label: No Popery. Canning is lit by a beam of light from an irradiated sun containing the head of George IV looking towards his Minister. Behind Canning, among clouds, is a 'wind', a face directing a blast towards him. Near the horizon is a lighthouse. A little figure (? Cobbett) struggles towards it, holding above the water a large scroll inscribed My Comments."--British Museum online catalogue