Image: John Bull at his studies. Attended by his guardian angell. (BM 1868,0808.6864)

Description: John Bull, obese and gaitered, sits beside a table gaping at an enormous document, the bulky rolled end of which rests on the floor. He scratches his head, saying: "I have read many crabbed things in the course of my time - but this for an easy piece of Business is the toughest to understand I ever met with." Pitt (right), with wings and playing an Irish harp (see BMSat 9284, &c), leans towards him from clouds, saying: '"Cease rude Boreas blustering railer, Trust your Fortunes care to me.' The document is headed: 'Tax upon Income a Plain Short and easy description of the Different Clauses in the Income Tax so as to Render it familiar to the Meanest Capacity. Clause 1st, Clause 2d', &c, follow; the text is indicated only, except for the notes: 'NB for a further explanation see Clause 701'; 'NB this Clause will be better understood by reading clause 2053'; 'NB this clause has no connection with clause 9075'; 'see Clause 999'. On John's table (right) are bulky volumes: 'Journal', 'Day Book', and 'Ledger', with a paper: 'The sweet little Cherub that sits up aloft to keep watch for the Life [erased and replaced by] Purse of poor Jack.' (Cf. BMSat 7677.) 13 March 1799 Hand-coloured etching
Title: John Bull at his studies. Attended by his guardian angell.
Credit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1868-0808-6864
Permission: © The Trustees of the British Museum, released as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No