Impeachment. (BM 1868,0808.5497)

Burke stands directed to the left making a speech, right arm raised, left hand on his breast. He wears spectacles and from each eye a beam of light, inscribed 'False Optics', is directed upon two pairs of documents on the floor: 'True Case of Mr Hastings' and 'As it appears to Honest Edmund'; the others, 'True Case of Powell' and 'As it appeared to honest Edmund'. A large tail or excretion resting on the ground behind him is 'Misgovernment'. In the upper left corner of the design just beyond his right hand is a large bunch of grapes (rupees) inscribed 'Lack', implying that his violence against Hastings is due to deprivation of office. On the wall behind his head (right) is a picture of Fox crucified, dice taking the place of nails piercing his hands. Below his feet is inscribed Carlo's 'India Bill' (cf. BMSat 6368, &c). Burke, dressed as a Jesuit (cf. BMSat 6026), kneels at his feet holding up a cross. Beneath the title is etched:

'His notions do fit things so well,
That which is which, he cannot tell,
But oft times, tho' sure as a gun,
Mistakes the other for the one,
For whilst one thing seems to catch the eye,
To another he'd his hand apply;
With words honest Edmund has the knack,
To paint, as suits best, things white or black,
Thus Hastings is black, which is as clear,
As that Powell did pure white appear;
But he knows what's what, and that's as high,
As Oriental wit e'er could fly.' 19 March 1786

Etching