The rats at work, or, How to get out of the bag qui caput ille fecit. [graphic][August 1820]eng"The King stands waist-deep in a broad-based Green Bag (see British Museum Satires No. 13735), holding up his arms, and exclaiming: "A Rat! A Rat! my Kingdom for a Rat!!!" Huge rats climb up the bag and nibble at it, others run towards it, or emerge from holes. Ministers are imprisoned in the bag with the King, and struggle to get out. Near the base (left) emerge the head and arms of Castlereagh; he says: "Knaw away my fine fellows and extricate me." Above him is Sidmouth, crying: "I wish I could find some hole large enough to creep out at." Eldon's head and hands emerge from three holes; he asks: "Was the Pillory ever made for me? will no Rat assist me? let me out to consider of it." Above him is Liverpool, saying: "We shall certainly be all smother'd in this Infernal Bag." The Devil is between Castlereagh and Eldon, shovel in hand; he says: "I can make a hole for myself to creep out at." Each rat has an inscription: 'Church' and 'Corruption' are on the bag, flanking the King. Other nibblers are 'Pension', 'Place', 'Sinacure' [sic], and 'Dr Slop' [Stoddart, i.e. the 'New Times']; near the last is the 'Courier', and behind (right) the 'Vice C--' [Leach]. John Bull and Mrs. Bull, a farmer and his wife, stand on the left and right; John holds the chain of his savage dog, still attached to its kennel but eager to get at the rats; he says: "Odzooks, I'll let my Dog loose and worry them all." Mrs. Bull points angrily, and shouts: "Destroy the Vermin John--let our Dog loose.""--British Museum online catalogueTitle etched below image.Sheet trimmed within plate mark.