Gillray, James (1756 – 1815) – ‘John Bull and the Sinking Fund – a P[r]etty scheme for Reducing the Taxes & paying off the National Debt!’.

'John Bull and the Sinking Fund - a P[r]etty scheme for Reducing the Taxes & paying off the National Debt!'. Hand coloured etching. 'Pubd Feby 23th 1807. by H. Humphrey 27 St James's Street.' This is a satire of Petty's 'New Plan of Finance'. John Bull crouches on hands and knees on the 'Rock of Broad Bottom'd Security', on his back sits 'The Sinking-Fund i.e. taxations of 42 Millions pr. Annum', on top of this stand Petty, shovelling coin into the hats of government ministers who stand in front of the Treasury. John Bull says, 'Toss away! Toss away! my good Boy! toss away!!! - oh how kind it is, to ease me of this Terrible Load!'. Petty says in return 'Patience, Johnny! - ar'nt I tossing-away as fast as I can? ar'nt I reducing of your Taxes to sh/17 & 6d in the Pound? - why you ought to think yourself quite comfortable & Easy, Johnny!'. On the right stand the Opposition, behind them a broken column inscribed 'Sacred to the Memory of departed Greatness' and 'W Pitt' and behind that a weeping willow. 9.25x13.25 inches.