The pillar of the Constitution [graphic]

"Conspirators prepare an explosion in the vaults of the House of Commons (or of a building symbolizing the Constitution). Massive triple pillars support Gothic arches, the inscription [used by George as a title] etched across the centre pillar round which barrels of gunpowder are piled. The scene is lit by a beam of light slanting from the huge eye of the King whose features emerge faintly from an illuminated patch in dark clouds in the upper right. corner of the design. This strikes the conspirators, all wearing cloaks and steeple-crowned hats reminiscent of Guy Fawkes. The foremost is Grenville who pours on to the paved floor a train of powder from a barrel which he holds, inscribed 'Jesuits Powder'. Next him (r.) Howick leans forward to tilt a barrel of 'True- Whig Gunpowder'. Behind is Lauderdale handling a barrel of 'Gunpowder a la Brissot'. On the extreme left. behind Grenville, Sidmouth crouches, clasping with senile impotence a barrel of 'Cathartic Gun Powder' [cf. BMSat 9849]. Behind stands Petty holding a barrel of 'Pop-Gun Powder'. The taller Windham is behind with a barrel of '[M]etaphysical Gu[n Powder]'. Ellenborough scowls over Windham's shoulder. The tall Moira (ex-Master of the Ordnance) has a barrel of 'Ordnance Powder'. Between Grenville and Petty is the upturned profile of the bulky Temple, clutching at a barrel of 'Broad-Bottom Gun Powder'. Behind him, his spectacled father, Buckingham, reaches for a barrel of 'Catholic Gunpowder'. In the foreground on the extreme left., a little aloof from the others, Sheridan kneels, tilting a barrel of 'Dramatic Gunpowder'; he wears his Harlequin suit (cf. BMSat 9916). Beside him are two barrels: 'Patriotic Gun-Powder', intact, and 'Democratic Gun-Powder', on its side its contents pouring out. In the background, behind Windham, three heads are faintly sketched, one with the profile of Tierney, another rightesembling St. Vincent. ..."--British Museum online catalogue, description of an earlier state of the same composition