How are you off for Soap.

A rare caricature. A pretty young laundry maid, wearing a mob cap and pattens, stands back from her washtub, throwing up her hands in astonishment, at the sight of a little man, Nicolas Vansittart, who pops up amongst the soap suds. In the background is steaming laundry copper and a washing line with clothes suspended from it is visible through the open window. Nicolas Vansittart (1766-1851), 1st Baron Bexley, a long serving and effective, although unpopular Chancellor of the Exchequer, was responsible for raising the tax on soap, obstensibly to protect the whale fisheries, but in reality to raise an estimated revenue of £150,000. BM 12782.