Flemish print on the state of  Britain during the transition of power at the end of 1688. In the lower left hand corner three frogs(1), possibly representing the Dutch, observe an allegorical scene, with, left of centre, the figure of Father Thames (2), hiding his face with his hand and ignoring his rudder and fishing nets; water from his urn flows over a wall on which the title and key are lettered. In the lower right, Time (3) runs off, snakes entwining his left leg, dragging with a chain a rough cart formed from a hurdle on which is carried the young Prince of Wales, in swaddling clothes, held by the weeping figure of Sorrow who also holds a sword and palm of martyrdom. In the lower centre, lies the lifeless figures of Commerce (4) and Industry (5), the latter resting on a bale of cloth and surrounded by instruments of the textile trade. To the left is a ruined building (6) with a broken statue of St Peter, representing the Catholic church, from which emerge three figures (7 - 9) apparently representing Fury, Hypocrisy and Entrapment. Left of centre, is a further group of female figures (10-13; 12 written as 21): Deceit presenting herself as having a wooden leg and resting on a crutch and holding a flaming sheaf of corn; Self-interest, masked, and with further masks and a money-bag at her waist, carrying a club and fishing net; Royal Ambition wearing a blindfold and the three crowns of England, Scotland and Ireland pushes forward a figure apparently representing the confusion of war with winged feet and a hare on her head. In the centre, the figure of England (16) is enthroned between the lion and unicorn and in front of a palm tree on which rests a large orange (18). To the right, the figure of Citizenship (15) lies at the foot of a broken obelisk representing the countries of Britain and decorated with the cap of liberty which is being attacked by figures of Vengeance(16) and Envy (17). Above to left, is figure of Religion (19) seated in the clouds illuminated by the Eye of Heaven (20) from which another ray shines on to the figure of England. To right, storm clouds open to reveal a man (21; presumably representing the over-ambitious James II) thrown from a chariot. In the background is a calm sea with the cliffs of Dover to left, and to right a confrontation between tritons and a sea serpent (22).
<br>Etching
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<p>Print made by: Jacobus Harrewyn
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<dl><dd>Published by: James Peters</dd></dl></div>
<a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_T-9-32">https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_T-9-32</a>