The moment of reflection, or, A tale for future times!! [graphic]

"The Empress Catherine, at the point of death, leans back supporting herself on a chest or seat against the wall (right) of her closet. She shrinks terrified from solid clouds rolling towards her, which support many spectres. Death, a skeleton, stands behind and above her, his spear about to strike her through the brain. In the upper left corner the sack of 'Warsaw' is in progress, soldiers are killing women and children, others hurling bodies from a battlement. Near these groups of tiny figures 'Kosciusko' sits heavily shackled, a pitcher beside him. Next him stands Stanislaus II of 'Poland', wearing his (lost) crown, his wrists chained. Nearest the Empress stands Peter in a shroud and wearing a crown, holding out clasped hands towards her. A woman's arm points at him with a rod. The other figures are persons in death-agonies: a young man is suspended by the bound wrists from a gibbet. A naked man holds up a rope which is round his neck; a decapitated man holds out his head; a hand holds a sword which has transfixed the naked body of a woman; a naked child holds up a goblet. Other heads emerge from the clouds. The Empress clutches at her petticoat, revealing two cloven hoofs. Behind her head is a bust portrait of Fox, looking with horror at the ghosts among the clouds. The end of the chest on which she sits is removed, showing within it two grinning demons among flames, holding up an open box inscribed 'for Kates Spirit.'"--British Museum online catalogue