Opposition-coaches

On the left hand sheet of the design, a stage-coach drives (right to left) through water; the four horses have human heads. A signpost on the extreme right points 'To the Slough of Despond'. The driver is Burke; he lashes the horses furiously. On the box under his legs are the (broken) scales and sword of Justice and a laurel wreath. Fox sits on the roof as the guard, holding a blunderbuss. He and Burke watch with alarm the horses who are advancing into deeper water. The heads of the horses are in profile; Derby is the off leader, Sheridan the near wheeler. The near leader may be Windham. The heads of four passengers (members of the Opposition), with anxious or despairing expressions, are visible through the window. The middle of the three facing the horses resembles Portland, the man on his right Stormont. The man on his left is Francis (as in BMSat 7330). Their 'vis-à-vis' may be Lord Carlisle. On the side of the coach, which is 'Licens'd by Act of Parliament', is a crest: a bull (for John Bull) with the motto 'Pro Bono Publico'. The basket at the back is filled with documents inscribed 'Bill of Rights', 'Magna Charta', 'Impeachment of W. Hastings'. Beneath the design is etched: 'O Liberty! O Virtue! O my Country!' Two bats and an owl fly above the horses, showing that night is coming on. Dark clouds obscure the horizon on the left. Cf. British Museum online catalog.