Nero fiddled when Rome was burning [graphic].

"George IV, seated in an armchair, plays a 'cello. Bloomfield stands behind, playing a flute; in his pocket is a paper: 'Farmer's Boy' [for this identification cf. (e.g.) that of Orger in British Museum Satires No. 11940]. Lady Conyngham stands beside the King, saying blandly: "Play Here we go Up Up Up." On the right is a dancing bear, facing a stout jovial man (identified, A. de R. xviii. 4 as Sir L. Neagle, i.e. Sir E. Nagle, appointed Groom of the Bedchamber on George IV's accession). No one notices John Bull (wearing top-hat and top-boots) who enters, shouting: "Rome's on fire, Haste Haste Help Help the People 's Roused, Perjurys allowed Conspirators are suffered to Escape, the Directors are impeached-- the World's in Arms." Behind the King hangs a large placard: Estimate of Expenses at the Chinese Temple One Million--Building Repairing & Furnishing Mark Anthonys State Barges Building two New ones . . . £150,000 Cottage seat Como [Countess Cowper (25 Sept. 1820): 'They say the story is really true of blundering Sir E. Nagel saying in the boat on the Lake near the New Cottage, "We have also got our little Lake of Como"--the King and Ly C present.' Airlie, 'Lady Palmerston', 1922, i. 67; 'The King laughed very much...' 'Journal of H. E. Fox', 1923, p. 38; cf. British Museum Satires No. 13857] formerly called V-g-o [sic] Water . . . 40,000 New Cottage at O-P Q . . . 20,000. Presents to Cleopatra. Horse 150 Diamond Necklace . . . 30,000. Pearl Ditto . . . to Cleo's Daughter 15000. Sinecure to Cleo's Boy Pr Anm 3000.' Above Lady Conyngham's head is a painting of a nude woman in bed; below this is an unframed print, a bust portrait of 'Caroline' with the head torn off."--British Museum online catalogue