A phantasmagoria scene, conjuring-up an armed-skeleton / [graphic]

"Design in an oval, placed on an oblong background representing a stone wall, and thus simulating the projection of a magic lantern. The figures, except Wilberforce, are light against a dark background. Addington, Hawkesbury, and Fox, as the three witches in Macbeth, cook their hell-broth in a cauldron. From this rises a cloud inscribed 'PEACE' which frames a skeleton (of Britannia). Its long hair shows that it is that of a woman; in one hand is a trident, in the other her shield. From the pot issue the tail and one paw of the British lion. His decollated head lies on the ground (right); on it stands a crowing Gallic cock wearing a tiny bonnet rouge. Addington stands on the left ladling into the pot guineas from a sack inscribed: 'To make Gruel Thick & Slab' [Macbeth, iv. i]. He raises his right arm, holding up an olive branch; a serpent twines round arm and branch; its fangs pointing at the word 'Peace'. Hawkesbury crouches on the right, recklessly feeding the fire with papers inscribed: 'Dominion of the Sea', 'Egypt', 'Malta', 'Cape', 'Continental Alliances', 'Honduras', 'Switzerland', 'Brit[isk] Isles'; beside him are others: 'Gibralter' and 'Ireland'. Among the papers already blazing the word 'West Indies' is just visible. At his side hangs an ink-pot with a pen, suspended from a tricolour ribbon, indicating the Foreign Secretary. Behind him Fox, as a fat old woman, stands full face, holding up a broom tied with a tricolour ribbon. All three wear conical hats; that of Addington has a tricolour favour, that of Fox a tricolour cockade and bunches of olive. Addington is grave, Hawkesbury melancholy, Fox exultant. In front of the cauldron, beside the lion's head, kneels Wilberforce (left), a little figure in Monkish robes, hideously caricatured, chanting a 'Hymn of Peace' from an open book."--British Museum online catalogue