Sketches of Fairy Land, or, A comparison between England & Lilliput. [graphic] / Pl. 1

"Six scenes, arranged in two rows, each with an inscription above the design. The figures are realistic, not 'Lilliputian', as in British Museum Satires No. 11134, &c. [1] 'Lilliput is situated a considerable distance from the Island of Great Britain, and the Natives have many singular manners and customs, one in particular is swearing to give a vote according to conscience with one hand, and receiving a bribe with the other--what a happy thing it is that nothing of the kind ever occured in England.' A scene at the hustings, showing one of the posts inscribed 'St M . . .' indicating the polling-place for one of the Westminster parishes, cf. British Museum Satires No. 10619, &c. An elector takes a book (Testament) from a poll-clerk, while a man slips coins into the hand which he holds behind his back. There are spectators (or voters) outside and inside the hustings; a woman sells a ballad. [2] 'They have a litte [sic] man in Lilliput call'd John Bull, we suppose in humble imitation of that Gentleman so named in our Country but the comparison can never hold good, the Lilliputian John Bull though overburthened with Taxes is continually visited by the collector for more--we well know that is not the case in England!!' John Bull, a fat 'cit', is seated in an arm-chair wearing a hat, with a tankard and pipe on a table beside him. He looks up angrily at a lean tax-collector who stoops towards him, holding an open book. On the wall is a (damaged) picture, 'Liberty', holding her cap on a staff. [3] 'There we frequently see Merit in distress, and Ignorance, rolling in affluence, if such facts were mention'd in England, they would not be believed!! their manners are so different.' A street scene. A small thin man (left), his eyes on the ground, and a fat, vulgar, arrogant fellow walk towards each other on the pavement. The former has his hand in his coat-pocket in which is a pamphlet: 'Poem[s] on var ....' They are identified by two bills on the wall: 'By Permission of the Lord Chamberlain--for the Benefit of Peter Prose authour of several Pieces' and (headed by the Royal Arms) 'Slushbuckett Nightman to his Majesty'. [4] 'In Lilliput it is well known that a Female throug [sic] certain influence has disposed of situations in the Army and Church, what would our John Bull say to that!!' Mrs. Clarke receives her clients seated at a small round table; she holds out her hand to take a money-bag from a parson (O'Meara, see British Museum Satires No. 11258, &c.). Behind, an officer advances, sweeping the ground deferentially with his cocked hat, a money-bag in his hand. The head of a third applicant is on the extreme right. A window and a folding screen form a background. The Duke of York inconspicuously watches from behind the screen. See British Museum Satires No. 11216, &c. [5] 'A certain Nobleman in Lilliput is said to have become a jobber and disposed of a seat in Parliament; a pretty Parliament that must be!! O John Bull you are a happy man!' Castlereagh and another well-dressed man sit facing each other across a small round table. Castlereagh hands over a document, the other a money-bag. [6] 'In Lilliput it is common for a boy of fifteen through interest, to leap over the shoulders of a vetran Hero!--Ay John Bull you may well be suprized--but such things are practiced there we assure you.' A boyish officer poised on the bent back of an elderly one, is about to leap over his head; he wears a fashionable crescent-shaped cocked hat; the elder man's old-fashioned tricorne falls to the ground. In front of them is an open door set in a stone arch, probably that of the Horse Guards. John Bull, a fat 'cit', stands in profile to the right, gazing in astonishment. This long-standing abuse came into notice over the proceedings against the Duke of York, see British Museum Satires No. 11281."--British Museum online catalogue