(Lord North as an auctioneer) (BM 1868,0808.4665)

Lord North as an auctioneer stands on a rostrum holding up a hammer in his right hand, in his left is a sheaf of papers inscribed: "Crown Lands"; "A Plan of Œconomy for striking off Unmerited Pension"s; "York Patition [sic] &c"; "Bill". Round his forehead is a bandage inscribed "Taxes"; he is saying "Just a going Just a going". He is irradiated with light. A crowd of men stand below looking up at him, their heads and shoulders being visible. A bishop in mitre and lawn sleeves, cf. BMSat 5553, &c, holds up his right hand, his arm round the shoulder of a man wearing a three-corned hat and his own hair, perhaps intended for Wesley, see BMSat 5493, &c, to whom he says, "from the Prayers of the upright we alone hope for Prosperity". The other answers, "Verily verily it doth not become Us to Meddle with your Church or State affairs". A man of fashion wearing a bag-wig looks up at North through an eye-glass. Next him is Lord Sandwich, holding the model of a ship under his arm. On the extreme right is a judge, a book inscribed "Law under his arm". Behind these is a crowd of faces; labels coming from some of their mouths are inscribed: "This is an alarming Crisis that must be decided by one fatal Blow to the Redress of one or Ruin to the other; If these Plans are not Prevented from taken [sic] Place we shall lose both Places & Pensions; This is not a Consumation devoutly to be Wished; Is a Public Service to be knock'd down att the Price of accomodating a few Individuals?; If this Lot is knock'd down the People will sweat under the load of Taxes they must bear."
Beneath the design is etched:

He with Hammer in hand
can opposing withstand
And knock down Patitions [sic] at nought
tho they rail & they bawl
He can answer them all
And put them & their Plans to the Route
For of those Ther's enough
Who are Ready to puff
When ever he needs their Support
If he dont tip the wink they know well where ther's chink
Or the dream of some Place Sir at Court.

He gives Places tis sure
And perhaps to procure
Him intrest to carry the Day
then how vain the attempt
of Patriots to exempt
Us from Taxes whilst he has the Sway." 17 March 1780

Etching