The weather cock of St. Stephen's vide Bewilderforce's rhapsodies on peace &ca. / [graphic]

"Wilberforce, as a weathercock, stands with his right foot poised on a pinnacle at the point of intersection of the four points of the compass. He leans forward in profile to the right, both arms stretched out towards a bird which grasps a scroll resting on clouds: 'Peace and Fraternity with France'. The bird is half-dove, and holds an olive branch in its mouth, but the left leg is that of a bird of prey, and in its talons a dagger is clasped, while the left wing is fantastically webbed. Two papers issue from Wilberforce's coat-pocket: 'Charge agt Kimber' and 'Abolition of the Slave Trade'. From his back rises a vertical spike supporting the hat of a Roundhead, its brim inscribed 'Fanaticism, Puritanism'. On its crown sits a raven, shrieking at Wilberforce the word 'Kimber'. Below (right) is the dome of a minaret terminating in the head of Fox, directing a blast of 'Republicanism' against Wilberforce which has blown him into his present position."--British Museum online catalogue, description of a variant state