Bror Robert under his last Purgation (BM 1868,0808.3687)

Satire on the downfall of Robert Walpole suggesting collusion with France. He stands in "The Corruption Chamber" dressed as a friar, his tonsured head labelled "Temple Bar" (where traitors' heads were still exposed). He is "Grip'd with ye heavy weight of ye Nation", his habit raised so that Cardinal Fleury, kneeling behind, can apply a clyster. Fleury laments, "My labour's in Vain, its all over ye Glister Returns" while behind him "The City Doctor", sniffing his cane, recommends "Give him more Phuysick & be D[amne]d". Fleury's hat and the case of the clyster pipe, both decorated with fleur-de-lis, lie on the floor beside him, together with a scroll lettered, "I have lost my Brother & Dear Correspondent"; a pill box with the number "241" (referring to the majority against Walpole in the vote on the Chippenham election) lies on a paper lettered, "This Purge is for the Good of ye Nation". In front of Walpole stands his daughter, Lady Mary Churchill, clasping his belly and saying, "How is it Mamys Cockey"; beside her stands the figure of Avarice, a winged woman with horns, raising the lid of an empty chest and saying, "Nothing left for poor Miss". Four money bags, lettered "Sr S L [?]", "Sr J L", "L W M", and "Sr A E", lie on a paper lettered, "all this for these four Members", beside other papers lettered "Excise Commission" and "Government Commission". In the background, the Treasury is seenn through an archway and Walpole, crying "for France", is being drawn in a chariot across the sky; the light from a huge axe shining down on him. 1742
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