Pandora opening her box [graphic]

"Mrs. Clarke stands behind the bar of the House of Commons holding up a flower-pot-shaped vessel (the pan of a commode) inscribed Opposition Stink Box. In her right hand she holds up its lid: Cover of Infamy. From this 'box' issue flames, smoke, and fanged serpents which dart towards and obscure the Royal Arms above the Speaker's chair. The House is seen from the left so that only a corner of the front bench is visible on the Ministerial side of the House, while the Opposition benches with a corner of the gallery above form the greater part of the background (right). Members of the Government hold their noses in disgust while the Opposition listen with avid delight, and the back-benchers wave their hats ecstatically. Only three Ministerialists are characterized: (left to right) Castlereagh, wearing a cocked hat, Canning, Perceval. On the right the four in the front rows to the right of Mrs. Clarke and closest to her are Petty, clasping his hat, Whitbread and Burdett behind him, and (behind Whitbread) Sheridan. Wilberforce (?) stands, waving his hat, Windham is in the second row. The serpents issuing from the 'box' are Calumny, Lies, Ingratitude, Deceit, Revenge, Forgery, Perjury. The commode (left) stands open, cylindrical and ornate, inscribed: Broad Bottom Reservoir. Round it bundles of documents are heaped: Forged Letters & Forged Answers from the Duke; Forged Orders; Forged Appointments; Scheme to destroy the House of Brunswick [see British Museum Satires No. 11234]; Commissions & Appointments for Sale to the best Bidder, Agents to conduct the Sale--Frome, Sanden, Dowler, Kennet, Donnovan, Corri; Love Letters from Mr Waddle [Wardle], Mr Finnerty, Gen Clamering [Clavering], Mr Maltby, Major Hogan; Private Communications from his Excell. The Morrocco Ambassador; Prices of Commissions in the Army, A Clarke Secy; List of Mrs Clarkes Pension[s] £1000 . . . Mrs. Clarke's dress is approximately correct (cf. British Museum Satires No. 11225), but her (white) hat is coloured blue, the length of the veil is exaggerated; her (profile) features are made coarser and bolder, and a patch (signifying disreputability) is added to her cheek."--British Museum online catalogue