Opening of the budget - or - John Bull giving his breeches to save his bacon

Gillray, James, 1756-1815 · November 17, 1796

Pitt (right) stands stiffly in profile to the left, holding open a large sack-like wallet. He addresses John Bull, the central figure, a stout yokel, who holds out his breeches in his left hand to Pitt, while he touches his hat. The budget and the breeches pockets are full of guineas. Dundas, Grenville, and Burke kneel on the right, bending towards the 'Budget,' each with his left hand in an opening in a vertical seam, eagerly grabbing guineas. Behind them is the stone archway of the Treasury, with its high spiked gate. Dundas, the most prominent, wears Highland dress and holds a Scots cap full of coins. Grenville wears a peer's robe. Burke is behind. They echo Pitt. John Bull's coat and waistcoat are sound, but the pockets hang inside out, empty. His lank hair, knotted kerchief, and wrinkled gaiters denote the small farmer. Behind (left), on the shore, stands Fox looking across the water towards the fortress of Brest flying a tricolour flag. He hails it with upraised arms (BM). / On the heavy taxation of the year 1796, and the demand for voluntary contributions, which were forced from poor John Bull by the continued alarm of a French invasion. Dundas, Grenville, and Burke are busy helping themselves, while Fox, excluded from his share in the regular way, is calling in the assistance of his friends, the Sans-culottes of France, who were supposed to be preparing their invasion at Brest (Wright/Evans).