Camera-obscura minor fuit infamia vero / [graphic]

"The design follows that of British Museum Satires No. 7313 which it parodies. Hastings (three quarter length), in profile to the right, holds out his hands to demonstrate the objects which are seen in the diminishing rays of his camera obscura, and which reflect (in the foreground) the objects from the upper part of the design. These are [1] an 'Elephant' chained to a British flag devouring an Indian and trampling on the body of another; [2] 'Mount Ossa', a conical mountain. [3] 'Begums in Tears': a British officer raises his sword to smite a kneeling Indian woman whom he holds by the hair; other women kneel at his feet; on the ground is a decapitated infant. A wagon, with a British flag, inscribed 'Plunder' drives off in the background. [4] 'a Whale' spouting. In the rays of the camera obscura these objects, much reduced, are respectively inscribed: 'a Flea', 'a Wart'. 'Skin'd Mice'. 'An Ouzle'. Three persons (half length) stand on the right watching the reflected scenes: Thurlow says "Charmingly diminish'd". Queen Charlotte, decked with jewels, clasps her hands, saying with a pleased smile, "Poor Mice! I shall cry my Eyes out". George III looks through an opera-glass, saying, '"Very like an Ouzle"'."--British Museum online catalogue