Overthrow of the Republican-Babel / Js. Gillray invt & ft.

Print shows the Tower of Babel represented by a vast pile of bundles of documents tied by tricolour ribbon, culminating in the allegations of Mrs. Clarke against the Duke of York. It is being destroyed by the Speaker, Abbot, who swoops down upon it from a cloud with uplifted mace, and holding up a long scroll: Justice Triumphant--Decisions of the Rt Honble The House of Commons--Majority against the Evidence of a Prostitute--Majority against the Machinations of Republicans & Levellers. The tower is toppling under blasts from the mouths of Canning, Castlereagh, and Perceval, who lean forward from clouds on the left of the design. The leaders of the 'Republicans' fall headlong from the tower as it topples, and are also struck down by a stream of water from the sky inscribed Royal-Water-Spout. Mrs. Clarke sits astride the shoulders of Wardle who is falling downwards from the summit. She drops a large muff inscribed "Mrs A. Clarke's Old Conjuring Muff, To be sold to the best Bidder" and in her hair are the serpents of Discord. Below them fall Lord Folkestone and Whitbread, while Lord Temple lies on his back with his legs entangled in the broken "Broad Bottom Ladder of Ambition". Lord Henry Petty, with the body of an ape, clings desperately to the broken end of the ladder; a bonnet rouge in the form of a fool's cap flies from his head. A second ladder still rests against the left side of the 'Republican-Babel' and is inscribed Republican-Ladder of Ambition. From this Burdett falls backward, dropping a long scroll inscribed "No Bastille--Liberty for Ever--Loyalty for Ever--Republicanism! any-Thing to make a kick-up--any Thing to make a Row!" His supporters, advancing behind him, are unconscious of his fate and that of the Tower. Cobbett stands just below, tall, solid, and impassive, holding a pitchfork on which Burdett is about to be spiked. He is accompanied by Horne Tooke, Bosville, and Wishart.