The northern colossus, or, Earl of Toadstool arm'd with a poll axe [graphic]

"Lord Lonsdale straddles across the River Eden, a foot on each bank. He raises an axe above his head in both hands to cut down a large oak inscribed 'Liberty' on the left of the river. On the right of the river, on the horizon, is the town of 'Carlisle'; in front of it the land is covered with mushrooms inscribed '1400'. On the left side of the oak is a signpost inscribed, 'The New Road to Westminster', the hand pointing along 'Corruption Lane'. A broken arm from the signpost, inscribed 'Old Road to Westminster', lies on 'Freedom Common'. The branches extending over the latter are leafy, those over the toadstools are broken and bare. Punch, with a hump, dressed in the traditional manner, capers beside the post, pointing towards Corruption Lane and trampling on a paper inscribed 'Charter'. A bridge across the river is breaking, a boat sinks."--British Museum online catalogue