Consequences of a successful French invasion. Plate 2d. We explain de rights of man to de noblesse

Gillray, James, 1756-1815 · March 1, 1798

The title continues: Scene The House of Lords. A Guillotine, which is placed on the Throne; the royal Chairs being removed to accommodate the Strangers. Two Turkish Mutes, with strangling Bowstrings, each his hand on his Mouth, stand as Supporters. The House empty of Peers. The Cap of Liberty [Liberté] above the Canopy. A French Admiral [right], looking at the Tapestry, which represents the Defeat of ye Spanish invincible Armada, & the Portraits of the Immortal English Commanders. French Soldiers with Swords, Pikes, & screwed Bayonets, attack the Tapestry, on one Side of the Room [right]. A Sea Captain, on the Top of a Ladder [left], tears down ye Tapestry from above. His Lieutenant sets fire to it below & at the same Time pulls the Foot of the Ladder, to break his Superior's Neck. The Commander in Chief, in his full Republican Uniform, points at the Mace. A [ragged] French Soldier carries it away on his Shoulder. The Bust of Felton [assassin of Buckingham, 1628] on the Table, in the Middle between those of Damien & Ravillac (BM). / The scene is here transferred to the House of Lords, which is undergoing a fate similar to the House of Commons (Wright/Evans).