Delicious dreams! Castles in the air! Glorious prospects! [graphic]

"The five chief members of the Cabinet sleep round a small round table on which are punch-bowl (decorated with the Royal Arms), bottles of 'Port' and 'Madeira', and glasses. Portland sits full face, above the others, in a Gothic chair, a crutch beside him, one gouty bandaged hand supported by his Garter ribbon; Hawkesbury (r.) leans against him in profile to the right. Perceval, in his Chancellor of the Exchequer's gown, sits on Portland's r., leaning on the table. Facing each other sit Castlereagh (l.) and Canning (r.), leaning back in their chairs. From the former's coat-pocket hangs a long scroll, resting on the floor, headed 'Defence of the Country. Mr Speaker.' It is covered with meaningless arrangements of letters which dwindle into illegibility: 'aaaa, ccccc, iiiii [&c.]'. At the end: 'Nine Hours & a half long'. On the back of his chair and against his head is poised a squalling cat; under its paws is a piece of music: 'Air by Catalani' [see BMSat 10792, &c.]. Manning's legs are stretched out on the back of Melville [Mulgrave in W. & E. The profile and a tartan plaid indicate Melville.] who lies face downwards under the table, clutching a bottle. In his pocket is a paper: 'Secret Correspondence from Copenhagen' [cf. BMSat 11564]. All register delight at their entrancing dreams. On the floor (r.) used (gold) plates are stacked, all inscribed 'Treasury'. Two rats nibble at them; beside them lies a 'Bill of Fare - 1st Course Loaves & Fishes - 2d Course Loaves & Fishes [&c., &c.]'. Empty bottles are scattered about. Clouds rise from Canning's head and float above the other sleepers, supporting their vision, which, framed in clouds, fills the upper part of the design. Britannia rides in a triumphal car shaped like a boat with the British Lion as figure-head. She holds a trident and an olive branch. Behind the car, chained to the axles, walks a dejected Napoleon. Behind him is a huge polar bear (Russia), muzzled, and on a chain. Last come three captive sovereigns, some of the 'gingerbread kings', see BMSat 10518. They are followed by a cheering crowd with a flag inscribed 'Britannia rules the World'. From the car flies a Union flag, honourably tattered. The car is drawn by a huge bull (John Bull), led by a sailor, who is preceded by soldiers, one beating a drum another blowing a trumpet. They are part of a crowd of tiny figures which is disappearing under the gate of the Tower of London, whose buildings, with cheering crowds, form a background to the triumphal procession."--British Museum online catalogue