A Hasty Sketch of the Debates (BM 1868,0808.6077)

A burlesque view of the interiors of the Houses of Parliament, the two Houses divided by a narrow partition bisecting the design into two unequal parts. In the smaller (left) peers in shirt-sleeves or stripped to the waist threaten with clenched fists three sleeping Ministerial leaders: Thurlow, a man resembling Lord Camden, and a small man wearing spectacles, probably Grenville; between the two last is the word 'Expediency'. Among the assailants only the Duke of Norfolk is recognizable. An elderly man is about to strike Thurlow with his large tie-wig. Behind is the House of Lords' tapestry: a naval battle inscribed 'Destruction of the Spanish Armada'. Above are the words: 'O the Brave Days of good Queen Bess'.
In the debate of 1 April on the Treaty with Prussia, Fitzwilliam had decried the convention with Spain, see BMSat 7687, &c, and questioned British obligations to Prussia. Grenville urged that it was neither wise nor expedient to discuss matters under negotiation. 'Parl. Hist.' xxix. 79 ff. Cf. BMSats 7847, 7852.
On the right the Commons are in wild confusion. In the foreground (left) Pitt and Fox, stripped to the waist, are wrestling, Fox clasping Pitt round the body, Pitt's thin leg round the massive leg of Fox whose face he scratches, saying, "Oh that I could give this Upstart a Fall". Dundas and (?) Steele and Rose stand together facing Powys and (?) Grey. Brook Watson lies on the ground, his wooden leg broken, saying, "Done in one short Word". Arden scratches the face of his opponent. In the foreground (right) Sheridan grasps Lord Belgrave (indicated by a bell hanging from his waist inscribed 'Grave', its clapper inscribed 'Grecian'); he says, "Bell out Number one but I think I can manage an odd Figure or two". On the extreme right, very pugnacious, but with no antagonist, stands Burke, saying: "I am of no Party therefore ready to Fight any Party for any Sum not nice about the Terms". A pair of combatants behind him has not been identified. On the extreme left is the Speaker's chair; Addington stands with the mace raised in both hands, saying, "Order, Order, Order". Behind are two non-combatants on the back benches: Burgoyne sits (left), saying, "I say let in some Air, I am as cool as I was at Saratoga - and the seats of this side the House can never be made easy". The other stands, saying, "Officer obey the temperature Committee - let some Cool Air - the House is too Hot". Beneath the title is etched:

'[left] Upper (House) [a small house is depicted]
Here Patriots use forlorn Debate,
Since Crown at will can Lords create,
And Statesmen mute as Mackerel sit,
When to inform they think not fit

[right] Lower (House)[a small house is depicted]
Here Outs with Opposition burn
To serve their own, or Country's turn,
And Ins of Taxes make the most
And thence of liquidation boast
But War's alarms our Debt encrease
By scoring more than's paid in Peace
And all to fight Infidel,
Which Parties set at home pell mell
To see each side with zeal contend,
For public good, not private end,
You'd swear, as naught appears of Jest,
In Senate Britain truly blest.' 1 June 1791

Etching