Overthrow of the republican-Babel [graphic] / Js. Gillray invt. & ft.

"The Tower of Babel is represented by a vast pile of bundles of documents tied by tricolour ribbon, culminating in the allegations of Mrs. Clarke against the Duke of York. It is being destroyed by the Speaker, Abbot, who swoops down upon it from a cloud with uplifted and irradiated mace, and holding up a long scroll: Justice Triumphant-- Decisions of the Rt Honble The House of Commons--Majority against the Evidence of a Prostitute--Majority against the Machinations of Republicans & Levellers--. The tower totters sideways under blasts from the mouths of Canning, Castlereagh, and (below) Perceval, who lean forward from clouds on the left of the design. Between the two clouds appears part of a curving band, on which is a sign of the Zodiac, the Scales, evenly balanced to show that they are an emblem of Justice (cf. No. 10972). The leaders of the 'Republicans' fall headlong from the tower (right) as it topples, and are also struck down by a copious stream of water from the sky inscribed Royal-Water-Spout. Mrs. Clarke receives its full impact. She is astride the shoulders of Wardle who is falling downwards from the summit. Her large muff (see No. 11225), inscribed Mrs A. Clarke's Old Conjuring Muff, To be sold to the best Bidder, flies from her hand. In her hair are the serpents of Discord. To her belt of Ingratitude is attached a bag of Plunder. Wardle wears regimentals; in his pocket is a paper: Wardle Private Reas[ons]. Just below him Lord Folkestone is falling; he drops Patriotic Harangues by Fid Fad Folkstone and a large bundle of papers inscribed Motions for Kicking up a Row in the House of Commons. In his pocket are papers: Cobbetts Hints. Just below him is Whitbread who has fallen on a (falling) ladder, breaking it in half; he sprawls across the broken fragment, struck down by one of his own barrels, inscribed Barrel of Mischief. Its frothing contents pour over his head, inscribed Quassia [see No. 10574], Cocus Indicus, Opium [see No. 10795]; the falling barrel-head is Whitbreads Entire Butt [see No. 10421]. He drops a paper: Essay upon Political Brewing without Malt or Hops, and an open book: Political Divinity by Sam Froth--The Wicked shall be caught in the work of their own Hands. The ladder which he has broken is the Broad-Bottom Ladder of Ambition [cf. No. 10530]. The vast Lord Temple has broken the lower rungs and lies on his back, his legs in the air, the ladder on top of him. ..."--British Museum online catalogue.