"John Bull, corpulent, bald-headed, and stripped to the loins, is beset by leeches with human heads. They climb up his legs and attack his body, arms, and head. He stamps angrily, with clenched fists, saying, "This is Bleeding with A Veangence If I do not Shake off Some of these Leaches I shall not have a drop of Blood Left, why they will never be full & this is the third Set I have had on with in this three years or so. enough to Destroy the best Constitution." The King's profile projects into the design from the left. margin; he holds his spy-glass to his eye (as in British Museum Satires No. 10019, &c), saying, "Hard Work Indeed for poor Johnny How Voraicous I begin to think they will be too many for him I must Order Some of them off I see." Four leeches lie on the ground all inscribed 'Defaulter', followed by various sums: '300-000', '200-000', '400,000', [?] '500,000'. With these is a roll of 'New P . . . [? Pensions]'. On the right are heaped John's hat, waistcoat, coat, shirt, and wig, with a club inscribed 'Oak'."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Bleeding John Bull
Description:
Title etched below image., Year of publication from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Printseller's announcement within design: Folios of caricatures lent for the evening., and Watermark: John Hall.
Publisher:
Pub. 6th of Feb. by S.W. Fores, 50 Piccadilli [sic]
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820
Subject (Topic):
John Bull (Symbolic character), Phlebotomy, Worms, Medical procedures & techniques, and Taxes
