Gillray, James (1756 – 1815) – ‘A Great Stream from a Petty-Fountain; or John Bull swamped in the Flood of new-Taxes; Cormorants Fighting in the Steam’.

'A Great Stream from a Petty-Fountain; or John Bull swamped in the Flood of new-Taxes; Cormorants Fighting in the Steam'. Hand coloured etching. 'Pubd May 9th 1806, by H. Humphrey, 27 St James's Street'. This is a satire on the Budget which increased income-tax. Included in the rises were an extension of taxes on tea, and a change to the taxation on auctions. On the right the face of Henry Petty forms a fountain from which pour his tax measures, which then flood out to sea. The horizon is inscribed 'Unfathomable Sea of Taxation'. In the sea John Bull's boat sinks and he drops his oar inscribed 'William Pitt'. The Government are cormorants. Grenville, the largest, swallows two fish titled 'Treasury' and 'Exchequer'. Behind him are Sheridan and Sidmouth pecking at the fish below his feet. To the left of Grenville is Fox, greedily eating lots of fish; Moira, with a lobster; Windham swoops on some crab; Howick has caught some eels. Bedford, Horne Took and Burdett hurry to join the feast on the right. 9.5x13.75 inches.