Disposing of the old stuff [graphic]

"Brougham, seated in profile to the right in a chair inscribed Place, makes a bonfire on the floor of documents and his Old Stuff gown. This he holds over the flames on a levelled broomstick, the broom being inscribed Treasury Broom. Under one foot is a paper inscribed Opposition. He says: I think I shall cut a dash with my new gown; so here goes for the old one--Silk against Stuff for any money. But this worn out concern stinks most damnably: tis true, a great deal of dirty work has been done in it and it was only stuff at first:--it now emits more smoke than flame; yet I can distinguish a magic picture through this volume of vapour. O, glorious precedence! "Tam venerabile erat praecedere" Juvl. The burning papers are: March of Intellect [see British Museum Satires No. 15178], Liberty [of the] Pres[s], Blacks, Catholic Emancipation, Mulatoes, Reform. The smoke from the fire is inscribed Independence, Patriotism, Public Charities, Vapour, Retrenchment. Behind him (left) his new gown hangs on a stand made of an upright which supports his new wig, and a cross-bar inscribed Treasury. The gown is Patent New Silk. Partly concealed by the smoke is the 'magic picture': Anticipation; the Purse of the Great Seal suspended above mace and sword. Below the picture is a big bag stuffed with Briefs."--British Museum online catalogue