The Raree Show executed for the benefit of Mr Somebody at the expence of John Bull (BM 1868,0808.5686)

The trial of Hastings in Westminster Hall is travestied as a raree show in a booth. On the ground spectators fight for access to the booth; on a gallery above their heads Burke, Sheridan, and Fox as clowns and zanies proclaim the attractions of the show; above their heads hang large pictorial placards on rollers, illustrating the shows to be seen within. The crowd struggling to enter the door (left) of the booth is composed of ladies and gentlemen among whom is a peer in his robes; they are being controlled by Foot Guards with muskets. In the foreground George III, wearing a porter's knot, carries on his shoulders Thurlow in his hat and wig but with the body of a bear or demon with a barbed tail inscribed 'Defence'. Thurlow says "Make room for Precedence". On the King's Garter ribbon hangs a jewel inscribed 'Bulse' (see BMSat 6966, &c). The Prince of Wales stands beside them clenching his fists. A soldier bars the way to a would-be spectator on the extreme right. Below the gallery are bills posted on the booth (left to right): [1] 'A new Song to the Tune of Tantatarara, Rogues all'; [2] a bill headed with a pair of spectacles is inscribed: 'From the left side of the booth may be seen Alexander the Little' [? George III]; [3] one headed by an opera-glass is, 'From the right may be seen Alexander the Great' [Hastings, cf. BMSat 7275]; [4] 'Comparison between Alexander the Great and the Dey of Algiers a Farce'; [5] 'To be seen here the Characters of Tamerlane and Bajazet'; [6] 'Impeachment with a grand Procession'; [7] 'A Tragi-comi-Exhibition called the Nabob in Purgatory'; [8] 'A very curious black Bear' [Thurlow].
The three showmen are (left) Burke, in oriental dress but wearing a Jesuit's biretta (cf. BMSat 6026) and a clown's ruff; he blows a trumpet as in 'Carlo Khan's triumphal Entry . . .' (BMSat 6276), with a banner inscribed 'Sublimity'. Next is Sheridan, dressed as a clown, beating on a salt-box inscribed 'Attic' (cf. BMSat 6384). On the right is Fox as Punch, larger than the other two; his hat is inscribed 'Wisdom', his body 'Argument', and his hump 'Knoledge'.
Above their heads the three placards are: [1] 'The Prodigious Monster arrived from the East'; Hastings holds in his arms an Indian woman whom he is devouring. He tramples on the prostrate bodies of women and children (cf. BMSat 7278). In the background a naked 'Black Secretary' with horns drives with a whip an ox with drums on its back. Two Indians appear to be in flight. [3] 'The Oratorical Tragedy, or the Power of the pathetic over the beautiful' [an allusion to Burke's book].

'"------he would drown the stage with tears"
"and cleave the general ear with horrid Speech".'
'Hamlet'.

Burke (right), standing in water produced by the tears of his audience, harangues seven ladies and a man, all with water spouting from their eyes. The man holds a smelling-bottle to the nose of a fainting lady. All are up to the neck in a sea of tears. [4] 'Dancing on the Tight-Rope', Hastings dangles from a gibbet.
Beneath the title is etched: 'Executed for the Benefit of Mr Somebody at the Expence of John Bull' (cf. BMSat 7326). 25 February 1788

Etching with hand-colouring

Purgatory is a concept in Roman Catholicism and some other Christian denominations that refers to a state or place where souls undergo purification after death, in preparation for entering heaven. According to this belief, those who die in a state of grace but with unconfessed or unfulfilled sins must undergo a period of purification in purgatory, during which they are cleansed of their impurities and made ready for the beatific vision of God. The concept of purgatory is based on passages in the Bible and on early Christian teachings and traditions. It is seen as a way of balancing God's mercy with the demands of justice, as those who die with venial (less serious) sins are able to receive divine mercy and enter heaven, while also making satisfaction for their sins and avoiding the punishment they would otherwise face. The concept of purgatory has been a subject of debate and controversy within Christianity, with some denominations rejecting it outright.