"John Bull stands full-face, shouting and stamping with rage, on a block of turf inscribed 'Land-Tax 4s in the pound'. Across his shoulders are two yokes, one inscribed 'National - Debt &c', the other 'Civil-List &c.'; from the four ends hang objects representing taxes. From the left end of the former dangles a figure made up of barrels, bars, &c, the head represented by lighted 'Candles'; it is inscribed 'Excise-Man'; the rope attaching it to the yoke is 'Excise'. Its right hand (left), inscribed 'Auctions', holds out an auctioneer's hammer; the left holds a bottle of Wine, in a stand inscribed 'Plate'. The other portions of the body are inscribed 'Beer', 'Tea', 'Cyder', 'Spirits', 'Malt', 'Tobacco', 'Calico', 'Hides', 'Glass', 'Soap', 'Coffee', 'Chocolate'. Between its legs are the words 'Licenses &c. &c.' The head of a crocodile inscribed 'New Taxes' extends from the lower left corner of the design, directing a barbed tongue at the Excise Man. From the other end of this yoke a bundle of scrolls dangles from a rope inscribed 'Taxes: Maid Servants, Men Servants, Carriages &c, Game, Places, &c &c.' A similar bundle of Stamps hangs from the left end of the Civil-List yoke: 'Medecines', 'Warrants of Attorney', 'Cards & Dice', 'Almanacks', 'Notes', 'Horses', 'Receipts', 'Bonds &c', 'News-papers', 'Pamphlets', '&c. &c.' From the right end of this yoke hangs a pyramid of barrels, sacks, &c, its rope inscribed 'Customs:' they are inscribed respectively, 'Wine', 'Cloth', 'Leather', 'Salt', 'Pepper', 'Coals', 'Sugar', 'Wool', 'Tobacco &c &c.' ..."--British Museum online catalogue., Title etched below image., Printmaker and date from British Museum catalogue., and Watermark in center of sheet: J Whatman.
