Print shows a tun of 'Wine' atop solid trestles inscribed 'Treasury Bench'. From its bung-hole emerges the naked body of Pitt, as Bacchus, crowned with vine branches, a brimming glass in each hand. Behind him stands Dundas as Silenus, fat, and partly draped in tartan; his right hand grasps Pitt's shoulder, in his left he holds up a brimming glass. Opposite the tun stands John Bull in profile to the left, looking up at Pitt, hat in hand; in his left hand is a lank purse, under his arm three empty bottles. He says: "Pray Mr Bacchus have a bit of consideration for old John; - you know as how I've emptied my Purse already for you - & its waundedly hard to raise the price of a drop of Comfort, now that one's got no Money left for to pay for it!!!" Pitt says: "Twenty Pounds a T-Tun, ad-additional Duty i-i-if you d-d-don't like it at that, why t-t-t-then Dad & I will keep it all for o-o-our own Drinking, so here g-g-goes old Bu-Bu-Bull & Mouth!!! - "
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The wine duty, or, The triumph of Bacchus & Silenus, with John Bulls remonstrance / J. Gy. d. et f[ecit].
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James Gillray
1756-1815
The wine duty, or, The triumph of Bacchus & Silenus, with John Bulls remonstrance / J. Gy. d. et f[ecit].
[London] : Pubd April 20th 1796 by H Humphrey, New Bond Street, [1796]
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
1986.408
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[London] : Pubd. April 20th 1796 by H. Humphrey, New Bond Street, [1796]
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From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
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