The life of William-Cobbett, written by himself. [graphic] / No. 5

"Cobbett, in civilian dress, stands full face, with his right hand on his breast; in his left he holds out a paper: 'Accusations agst Capn Powel & others'. On the carpet at his feet lie his regimental coat, bearskin, sword, belt, and (broken) cane. On the left and in back view Judge-Advocate Gould sits at a writing-table, pen in hand, averting his head from Cobbett, and putting out a protesting hand. Cobbett declaims: "--if my Accusation is without foundation the authors of cruelty have not yet devised the tortures I ought to endure; Hell itself, as painted by the most fiery bigot, is too mild a punishment for me!--See my own Letter to Sir Charles Gould--Judge Advocate General". Gould wears a legal wig and gown with military uniform. On his table are papers inscribed 'Court-Mart[ial] to be held. . . and Charges by W. Cobbett against Cap. Powel'. Behind Cobbett stands his shadow, a dark replica of himself standing out against flames and smoke which billow up before a brick wall with a rectangular aperture through which the Devil, wearing a bonnet rouge, thrusts his talons to seize Cobbett's shadow. Above this window into Hell are three balls and the words 'Beelzebub--Pawn-broker--The utmost Value for souls taken in Pawn'. Facing Gould are high shelves draped by a curtain and containing bundles of legal documents. Some are inscribed 'Trials for Ungentlemanly Conduct', 'Military L . . .', 'Court Martial upon . . .', 'Motion for a Court Martial', 'Trial of Cap . . .', 'Court Martial'."--British Museum online catalogue, description of the original issue