Sketch of politicks in Europe 24th January 1786, birth day of the King of Prussia toasts upon the occasion ... [graphic]

"A confused design: in the centre the kings of England (left) and Prussia (right) sit together under a canopy; they turn their heads in profile, gazing intently at each other. Behind George III's chair a British sailor lounges, behind Frederick's a Prussian grenadier with a musket stands erect. Frederick holds the ends of two chains attached to the necks of the Habsburg eagle beneath the feet of the two kings; the two beaks of the bird hold a scroll inscribed 'Universal Monarchy'; with its claws it strikes fiercely at the prostrate bodies of a man and woman, evidently intended for inhabitants of the United Provinces. Beneath the bird is the word 'Austria'. On the sides of the canopy under which the kings sit are shields, one (left) inscribed 'Hanover Brunswick Hesse', the other (right), 'Saxony Deux Pont Mayence &c', representing German States under the control or influence of England and of Prussia. On the left and right of the two kings, as if supporters to an escutcheon, are whole length figures on a large scale of military officers; each holds the hilt of his sword, saying, "Whilst you agree I am ready". One (left) is the 'Reigg Duke of Brunswick', the other 'Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick'. In the lower right corner of the design a Frenchman wearing a bag-wig milks a cow inscribed 'Holland'; a dog barks at him angrily. Next the cow a man seated on the ground, probably intended for the Stadtholder, holds up his hands imploringly to the two kings, saying, "Pray protect me". Isolated figures round the two sides and upper edge of the design represent the other Powers of Europe: a crowned bear (left) inscribed 'Russia', couchant, looks greedily towards a much smaller bear inscribed 'Poland'. Russia says, "Tortur'd by Ambition - back'd by Brother Joseph"; Poland answers, "I am not muzzled". The bust of an oriental wearing a turban (Turkey) looks over its shoulder (across Poland) towards Russia, saying, "By the great Prophet thou art but a Woman". A crowned monkey with a sceptre and shield, representing Louis XVI, is seated on a globe inscribed 'Holland', saying, "Mundus vult decipi". Down the right side of the print are three crowned busts looking towards the two kings: Sardinia says, "You shall not Settle without me"; Spain says, "Oh. give me the Rock" (cf. British Museum Satires No. 6025, &c), Portugal says, "Oh! buy my Wine" (an allusion to the preference to Portuguese wines, given by the Methuen treaty and threatened by the pending commercial treaty with France). On the left side Sweden says, "I am in the pay of France"; Denmark says, "I lay by at present"."--British museum online catalogue