The Struggle, for a Bengal Butcher and an Imp-pie

18 March, 1788

Hand-colour etching on paper

8.5 x 12.25 in   |  21.6 x 31 cm

This print is part of an album of satirical prints which focuses on the stormy relationship between the British government and the East India Company in the late eighteenth century. In particular it focuses on the impeachment and trial of the Company's first Governor-General, Warren Hastings.

"Hastings stands holding one end of a large pie in his left hand; in his right he raises a knife to cut the pie. On the left are Managers of his impeachment; on the right are Thurlow and the Devil: both drag at Hastings and at the pie, but the latter party appear to be gaining. Small demons or imps emerge from the pie which personifies Impey. Burke clutches Hastings's coat and right arm; a scroll issuing from his mouth extends above his assistants and is inscribed 'For the sake of Injured Millions, I and my worthy Friends and Colleagues demand these Wretches as Victims to Publick Justice'. Fox clutches Burke, another man (? Sheridan) clutches Fox, his arm being linked in that of the man (? Windham) on the extreme left. A fifth man in back view clutches with both hands at the pie; a paper protrudes from his pocket inscribed 'Sr Elijah's Impeachment', showing that he is Sir Gilbert Elliot who was entrusted with the case against Impey. Thurlow drags at Hastings's left arm and clutches two large money-bags; a scroll issues from his mouth, forming a pendant to that of Burke: 'And - for the sake of Consigned Millions, I - with the assistance of my old Friend and Colleague here am resolved to protect these worthy Gentlemen'. He wears his Chancellor's wig and gown; one hairy leg terminates in a cloven hoof. The Devil clutches Hastings's wrist and the pie; he is a ferocious muscular creature with webbed wings and scaly barbed tail. Hastings as usual wears oriental dress with a jewelled turban. 18 March 1788." (Source: The British Museum)

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