Print shows Pitt holding open a large sack-like wallet inscribed 'Requisition Budget'. He addresses John Bull, who holds out his breeches in his left hand to Pitt, while he touches his hat. The budget and the breeches pockets are full of guineas. Pitt says: "More Money, John! - more Money! to defend you from the Bloody, the Cannibal French - They're a coming! - why they'll Strip you to the very Skin - more Money. John! - They're a coming - They're a coming." Dundas, Grenville, and Burke kneel on the right by a hole in the 'Budget', eagerly grabbing guineas. Behind them is the stone archway of the 'Treasury'. John say is saying: " - a coming? - are they? - nay then, take all I've got, at once, Measter Billy! - vor its much better for I to ge ye all I have in the World to save my Bacon, - than to stay & be Strip'd stark naked by Charley, & the plundering French Invasioners, as you say". Behind, on the shore, stands Fox looking across the water towards the fortress of 'Brest' flying a tricolour flag. He hails it with upraised arms, shouting: "What! more Money ? - O the Aristocrat Plunderer! - Vite Citoyens! - vite! - vite! depechez vous! - or we shall be too late to come inn for any Snacks of the I'argant! - vite Citoyens! vite! vite!"
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Opening of the budget, or, John Bull giving his breeches to save his bacon / Js. Gy. inv. et fect.
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James Gillray
1756-1815
Opening of the budget, or, John Bull giving his breeches to save his bacon / Js. Gy. inv. et fect.
[London] : Pubd Novr 17th, 1796, by H Humphrey, New Bond Street, [1796]
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
1986.411
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[London] : Pubd. Novr. 17th, 1796, by H. Humphrey, New Bond Street, [1796]
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From the library of Gordon N. Ray.
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