The friendly agent .

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James Gillray
1756-1815
The friendly agent .
Peel 3325
Published: 
[London] : Pubd June 9th 1787. by S. W. Fores. Piccadilly, [1787]
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Attribution from the British Museum online catalog (BM Satires).
Title from item.

Summary: 

Major Scott (right) hauls at a broad ribbon round Hastings's neck by which he is being drawn up to a gibbet. The ribbon, which passes over a pulley, is inscribed 'Defence of W. Hasti--gs Esqr'. To each of Hastings's feet a large money-bag is attached inscribed respectively 'Rupees' and 'Pagodas'. Hastings looks with terror towards an Indian with a noose round his neck who emerges from flames and smoke, saying, "I am Nuncomar's Spirit, Hast**gs - follow me!". Small demons in the flames show that Nuncomar is in Hell. The top of the gibbet is decorated with the mask of Burke looking towards Hastings with a satisfied smile. The King and Queen stand together on the left, mourning the fate of Hastings. The Queen is much caricatured as a lean hag, clasping her hands and turning up her eyes; she is pregnant. Under the King's arm is a large packet inscribed 'Bulse'. Hastings, Scott, and the King wear oriental dress with turbans, that of the King surmounted by a crown. In the background an oriental town is in ruins but flies the British flag; tiny corpses lie in front of the buildings, two of which are Chinese pagodas resembling the one at Kew. Cf. British Museum online catalog.

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