The bull roasted; or the political cooks serving their customers (BM J,1.38)

A companion print to BMSat 5640. A large bull transfixed on a spit roasts before a fire (left) over which hangs a large covered pot. Beside the animal sits George III (left) wearing a ribbon, in his right. hand he holds the end of the spit, in the left a handkerchief, saying "Turning the Spit, has made me Sweat; by George". Sandwich holds a large spoon to baste it, saying, "Not quite so fat as he was formerly". Bute, in tartan, stands behind the bull, saying, "Twas a Noble Beast; Jemmy Twitcher". On the right is a dinner table, behind which sit figures representing France, America, and Spain. France is saying "A bit of the Brown for Louis". America, a Red Indian woman, with a feathered head-dress, her knife raised to her mouth, her left hand in her plate clutching a fork, is saying, "A Dish of Buttock for Congress". Spain, in cloak and feathered hat, says "Some of the Flank for Don Diego". On the ground in front of the table sits a Dutchman eating with a spoon out of a bowl; he says "I've got a Dish of Memorial Broth", an allusion to the succession of memorials presented by Sir Joseph Yorke to the States General on breaches of their treaties with England, see BMSat 5568, 5571, &c Lord North is bringing a dish from the fire to the table, saying "I'll serve you all my good Friends as fast as possible". Beneath the design is engraved:

"Behold the poor Bull! once Britania's chief boast,
Is kill'd by State Cooks, and laid down for a Roast!
While his Master, who should all his Honours maintain,
Turns the Spit tho' he should such an Office disdain.

Monsieur licks his gills at a bit of the Brown,
And the other two wish for to gobble him down,
But may ill digestion attend on the treat,
And the Cooks every one soon be roasted, & Eat." 12 February 1780

Engraving