***** on the sublime & beautiful [graphic]

"A scene in the House of Commons. Burke stands on the shoulders of two seated members: his right foot is on the left shoulder of Powys, his left on the right shoulder of Sawbridge. His arms are crossed on his breast, his right arm clutching his left shoulder; from his mouth float three scrolls inscribed, 'Invective against ye Minister', 'Short Observations on India Affairs' [a long scroll], and 'Tropes on the Irish Trade Bill'. Powys looks up at him with an angry expression; he holds in his hand a thick bundle of papers inscribed 'Memda of Important Observations Obvious Objections Perpetual Motions Doubts Facts Surmises Queries &ca &ca'. Sawbridge looks gloomily away from Burke, his left leg stretched along the seat; he holds a paper inscribed 'Mock Motion for Reform in the Representation &c.' Three members seated behind Burke hide their heads or turn aside from his spate of words. Beneath the title is etched: 'Sublimi feriam Sidera Vertice Hor.'"--British Museum online catalogue