John Bulls hint for a profitable alliance [graphic]

"The stout Empress of Russia sits on a throne, whose seat she completely covers, facing three-quarter to the left towards the Prince of Wales, who bows before her, hat in hand, in profile to the right. He says, adapting Falstaff's words ('2 Henry, IV', v. 5): "Oh what a thing it is to be in Love, To ride day and night; not to deliberate not to remember, not to have patience to shift me, but to stand stained with travel, & sweating with desire to see thee: Thinking on nothing else; putting all affairs in oblivion, as if there were nothing else to be done, but to see thee." He wears riding-dress with spurred boots. Behind and on the extreme left stands John Bull, full-face, a plainly dressed citizen wearing top-boots; he says: "There my Lad is a fine buxom Widow, aye and warm too, if you'l have her you need not ask Dad, or any of your Acquaintance for any Thing, she'll finish your house, & furnish it too for you, aye & keep you warm in cold frosty weather with her fur skins, a rare match my Lad especially as you are fond of Widows!!" The Empress, who clutches the fur (a tiger-skin) which trims her draperies, has an inscrutable expression. On her right is the bust of Fox by Nollekens, peering forward at the Prince with an anxious expression. On her left and on the extreme right stands a courtier, holding a long staff, wearing a bear's skin, his profile showing through the beast's open jaws. Behind is the back of the throne decorated with a double-headed imperial eagle."--British Museum online catalogue