Political mathematician's shaking the broad bottom'd hemispheres [graphic] / Js. Gillray des. & ft.

"A pair of breeches, formerly belonging to Fox, much inflated and forming two merging and transparent globes with projecting legs, is poised (at the seat) on three ostrich feathers, erect in a round bed of (ministerial) roses (see BMSat 10558, &c). Within these globes members of the Ministry sit at a round table, devouring loaves and fishes. The nearest ones are in back view, and have the heavy posteriors characteristic of the Grenvilles (cf. BMSat 10530). Lord Grenville, a fish in each hand, with Lord Ellenborough on his right, Buckingham on his left., and, next the latter, Lord Temple. They sit on a cushioned bench like those of Parliament, which follows the curve of the breeches. The others, left to right from Temple, are Spencer, Windham, Erskine, Petty, Lord Holland, [Identified by his own note.] Moira, who sits full face opposite Grenville, Lauderdale, Sheridan, Howick; Sidmouth on Ellenborough's right completes the circle. All are gormandizing on fish in different degrees, except Spencer and Holland who eat normally. Before Grenville is a dish containing two large fish: 'Treasury' and 'Exchequer', see BMSat 10543, &c. A dog, its collar inscribed 'Tierney', puts its forefeet on the bench, yapping at Grenville's back (cf. BMSats 10128, &c., 10603). On the ground beside him are three cats eating fish in a dish inscribed 'Tabbeys'; their collars are inscribed 'Bet Fox', 'Fitz', and 'Jordan'. Rats surround a dish inscribed 'Scribblers' [ministerial journalists and pamphleteers]. Larger rats in the Ministerial rose-bed gnaw at the feathers which support the breeches. ..."--British Museum online catalogue.