"John Bull, grotesquely stout, is pressed downwards by a large rolled document which rests on his head inscribed 'Revision 3000 Resolutions Simplefication'. This roll is pressed down by three persons who rest their hands on it, their legs in the air, as if jumping to increase the pressure which has already so much compressed John Bull, concertina-fashion, that his arms reach the ground, and his contour is quasi-rectangular. The central figure is Pitt, saying, "Come, boys, since they say we have well begun, Let's bear hard till the whole's comprest in one". The other two are probably Rose and Steele, the Treasury Secretaries. The words 'Stamps' and 'Incidents' are inscribed on John Bull's shoulders, 'Custom' and 'Excise' (crossing each other) on his body."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker identified tentatively in British Museum catalog., Temporary local subject terms: Allusion to the speech of George III on January 23, 1787 -- Variety of taxes -- Tax reforms -- Consolidation of duties bill, February 26, 1778 -- Treasury secretary., and Partial watermark on left edge.
Publisher:
Pub'd for the proprietor, by E. Macklew, No. 9, Haymarket
Subject (Name):
Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Rose, George, 1744-1818, and Steele, Thomas, 1753-1823
