Gillray, James (1756 – 1815) – ‘Sketch of the interior of St Stephens, as it now stands’.

'Sketch of the interior of St Stephens, as it now stands'. Hand coloured etching. 'Published March 1st 1802 by H. Humphrey'. Inscribed in an early nineteenth century hand. The British Museum website describes this satire on the inadequacy of the Addington administration as follows ... 'A view of the House of Commons showing only the Ministerial benches immediately beside and behind the Speaker's Chair, and, on the extreme right, the Speaker and the Clerk with part of the Table. Addington, scarcely caricatured, but wearing gloves, is the principal figure [...] in his left is the 'Treaty of Peace with ye Democratick Powers'; from his pocket issues a paper: 'List of the new Administration'. On the front bench (left) next Addington's seat, marked by his hat, sits Hawkesbury, nervous and deprecating, legs crossed, crouching forward, holding his chin. Next him is a very fat man with gouty legs, his head concealed behind Addington, identified as Dickinson. Just behind are Nicholls, clutching his cane, and Tierney (not caricatured), both gazing intently at Addington's back. Behind Nicholls is Wilberforce, much caricatured. 13.5x10 inches.