Broad-bottom-drones storming the hive wasps, hornets & bumble-bees joining in the attack / [graphic]

"Fantastic insects (l.), with human heads assail a hive (r.) standing on a low and very solid wooden stand, the 'Treasury-Bench'; ministerial bees emerge to defend it. The apex of the hive is a royal crown from which sprout ears of straw. In the upper left. corner is the grotesque body of Sidmouth terminating in a clyster-pipe inscribed 'Clysteria Ministeria'; the wings are bottles inscribed 'Emetic' and 'Cathartic' [cf. BMSat 9849]. Above him flies the head of (?) Fitzpatrick between wings inscribed 'Hedge Lane' and 'Chick-lane' (London slums and resorts of prostitutes). An adjacent aquiline profile resembles George Hanger. Below, and to the right., is Lauderdale, his wings patterned with tartan. Above (r.) is Erskine, in barrister's wig and bands, both wings inscribed 'Protest'. Next (r.), Moira is supported on ostrich-feather wings, indicating the Prince of Wales (see, e.g., BMSat 10253). Immediately below him is Grattan, with a barbed tail, his wings inscribed 'Irish Emancipation' [cf. BMSat 10404]. Next, and in the forefront, is Grey, like a dragon-fly (and striped blue and buff), his four wings inscribed 'Vanity'. In the next row below are (l. to r.) Ellenborough with malevolent features framed in a judge's wig; Bedford, his wings inscribed 'Disappointment'; Sheridan, his bloated body patterned like Harlequin (cf. BMSat 9916, &c), his wings inscribed 'Stale Jests' and 'Joe Miller'. The huge Temple has wings made of sheets of paper, inscribed 'Stationary', 'Fools-Cap', 'Gilt Post', and 'Wax', 'Pens', 'Wafers' [see BMSat 10721, &c.]. He spits copiously at the defenders. Next is the age-worn profile of Grafton. In the row below are (l. to r.) Lord Holland, with wings inscribed 'Volponean Rancour' [as nephew and devoted pupil of Fox, cf. BMSat 9892] and 'Kalpinist [Hindu] Subtilty'. Next, Lord Spencer, his wings inscribed 'Cunning Policy', and (behind) the profile of Lord Carlisle. Next, and immediately below his son Temple, is Buckingham, in spectacles and Garter ribbon, directing a blast from his 'broad bottom' against the crown on the hive. His wings are 'Catholic Loyalty' and 'Catholic Gratitude'. Close to him is the distended body of Grenville, marked with an irradiated cross and puffing a curling cloud at the enemy. His wings are 'Envy' and 'Ambition'. The three Grenvilles, 'Broad-Bottoms' (see BMSat 10530) par excellence, are close together, and in the centre front of the attack. ..."--British Museum online catalogue