The Ministerial Rat Traps

Isaac Cruikshank the Elder
The Ministerial Rat Traps – to catch those who Traffic in Places seats in Parliament &c &c.
London, S W Fores May 1st. 1809
Etching
Original hand colouring
255 x 355 mm
£180
Perceval walks towards a steel rat-trap, in which is caught by the paw a rat with a human head, attracted by the bait, a money-bag inscribed 1000. Two other rats with human heads are similalrly caught. Perceval advancing with extended arms says: Now I shall catch some of those Scoundrells I warrant & I’ll punish them!! – Why who the Devil have we here? My Colleague by all that’s Abominable,–. By the trap are papers inscribed, Boroughs, Writerships, emty Seats &c. The rat says, Brother—Brother, pray help me out. The scene is a bare, boarded room and through a doorway a sign-post is seen To ye Treasury with a milestone 1 Par Com. On the right is a window through which a rough-looking John Bull peers in , saying, Why this be rum Work, for Partners to set Traps to Catch one another.
BM 11329