"Burke, as a lunatic, is seated on straw dressed only in breeches, but wearing a rosary and crucifix round his neck; Major Scott stands behind him, shaving his head. His right wrist and left ankle are chained to a staple in the floor, the chains being inscribed 'The Censure of the Commons' and 'The Contempt of the Lords'. He clenches his fists and turns his head in profile to the right, towards a vision of Hastings, saying, "Ha! Miscreant! Plunderer! Murderer of Nundocomar! where wilt thou hide thy head now ?" Hastings walks in profile to the right, carrying a sack over his shoulder inscribed '£4000000'; he is about to enter the gate of 'St James's' from which two hands emerge to receive him labelled (in reversed characters) 'Welcome'. Clouds surround Hastings and the Palace, showing that this is a vision. In the background (left) is a gibbet from which hangs a figure rudely drawn, as if chalked on awall, representing 'Nundocomar'. ..."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Little major shaving the shaver
Description:
Title etched below image, in lower left., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Three columns of verse below image, following title: Madness, thou chaos of the brain; what art, that pleasure, giv'st & pain? ..., Publisher's advertisement above image: Aitken's exhibition room in Castle Street, Leicester Fields, is now open'd for the inspection of the nobility, & the public in general, containing the only compleat assortment of satiric, humourous & caricature productions now extant. Admittance gratis., "Pr. 1 sh. plain, 1 s. / 6 cold.", Temporary local subject terms: Warren Hastings trial, 1789 -- Executions: hanging of Nuncomar, 1775 -- Burke's chains: Parliamentary rebuke -- Literature: quotation from John Hoadly, 1711-1776 -- Burke's politics during Regency crisis -- Military uniforms -- Major's uniform -- Bag of money -- Allusion to St. James's Palace -- Allusion to Queen Charlotte -- Crucifixes -- Spectacles -- Razors -- Oriental costume -- Lunatics -- Visions., and Watermark: countermark S Lay.
Publisher:
Pubd. May 8th, 1789, by J. Aitken, Castle Street, Leicester Square
Subject (Name):
Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Hastings, Warren, 1732-1818, Scott, Major 1747-1819 (John),, and Nandakumara, Mahārāja, d. 1775
"Major Scott (right) hauls at a broad ribbon round Hastings's neck by which he is being drawn up to a gibbet. The ribbon, which passes over a pulley, is inscribed 'Defence of W. Hasti--gs Esqr'. To each of Hastings's feet a large money-bag is attached inscribed respectively 'Rupees' and 'Pagodas'. Hastings looks with terror towards an Indian with a noose round his neck who emerges from flames and smoke, saying, "I am Nuncomar's Spirit, Hast**gs - follow me!". Small demons in the flames show that Nuncomar is in Hell. The top of the gibbet is decorated with the mask of Burke looking towards Hastings with a satisfied smile. The King and Queen stand together on the left, mourning the fate of Hastings. The Queen is much caricatured as a lean hag, clasping her hands and turning up her eyes; she is pregnant. Under the King's arm is a large packet inscribed 'Bulse'. Hastings, Scott, and the King wear oriental dress with turbans, that of the King surmounted by a crown. In the background an oriental town is in ruins but flies the British flag; tiny corpses lie in front of the buildings, two of which are Chinese pagodas resembling the one at Kew."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark on lower edge., and Temporary local subject terms: Trials: Warren Hastings -- Ghosts: Nuncomar -- Bulse -- Rupees -- Pagodas.
Publisher:
Pubd. June 9th, 1787, by S.W. Fores, Piccadilly
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Charlotte, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818, Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797, Hastings, Warren, 1732-1818, Scott, Major 1747-1819 (John),, and Nandakumara, Mahārāja, d. 1775