John-Bull and the sinking-fund a pretty scheme for reducing the taxes & paying off the national debt! / [graphic]

"John Bull crouches on hands and knees on a flat-topped rock: 'Rock of Broad-Bottom'd Security' [cf. BMSats 10530]. On his back is an enormous money-bag: 'The Sinking-Fund - i.e - Taxations of 42 Millions pr Annum'. Petty stands astride on the guineas in the gaping mouth of the bag, shovelling a cascade of coins to greedy ministerialists who stand below, outside the stone gateway of the 'Treasury', whose wall is on the left John, a yokel, out-at-elbows, looks up to say mournfully: " - Toss away! Toss away! my good Boy! toss away!!! - oh how kind it is, to ease me of this Terrible Load!" Petty, looking down, answers: "Patience, Johnny! - ar'nt I tossing-away as fast as I can? ar'nt I reducing of your Taxes to sh/17 & 6d in the Pound? - why you ought to think yourself quite comfortable & Easy, Johnny!" Those nearest the rock are Windham and the fat Lord Temple, with his back to it, catching the coins that overflow from a great heap in the peer's robe which his uncle, Grenville, holds up. Between Grenville and Windham the Marquis of Buckingham has a brimming hat-full. Behind Buckingham' Howick holds up a large hat high above his head. Sidmouth, bending obsequiously, catches some of the overflow from Grenville's store; between him and Temple, a dog, its collar inscribed 'Vansit[tart]' gapes for the small droppings from his master's receptacle (he was Secretary of the Treasury). Behind Grenville, Ellenborough receives a heavy shower on his head. Sheridan, as Harlequin (cf. BMSat 9916), his wooden sword held behind his back, holds out with a servile gesture a (full) bonnet rouge shaped like a fool's cap. Behind him, Lauderdale, in Highland dress, holds out a Scots cap. Towering above Sheridan, Moira holds up an enormous cocked hat, trimmed with the Prince's feathers, and receives, after Grenville, the largest harvest of coin. In his right. hand are papers: 'Price of Stocks'. Between him and Ellenborough, the Duke of Clarence holds up a chamber-pot, inscribed 'Royal Jordan' [see BMSat 7909, &c.]. Behind him is the head of the Duke of York. Erskine, on the left, holds out the Purse of the Great Seal. Next him are Spencer, holding up a cocked hat, and Norfolk, holding up a punch-bowl, inscribed 'Majesty of the People', the toast given by him, which, inter alia, led to his rightemoval from the Privy Council (see BMSat 9168, &c). An aquiline profile, next Norfolk, suggests George Hanger. A youthful face on the extreme left. may indicate Lord Holland. Within the shadow of the Treasury gate other hats are held out, suggesting many more within. ..."--British Museum online catalogue