Design in an irregular diamond-shaped lozenge set in a rectangle, in the corners of which are small subsidiary designs.  Sheridan stands on Mount Parnassus, holding up a small Irish harp above his head, his left hand is clenched, his left leg held up as if kicking: he has just hurled Hastings down the precipitous mountain. Hastings falls head downwards through clouds into space; his jewelled turban falls off, a book of 'Oriental Tragedies' drops from his hand. Sheridan wears a laurel wreath, his head is irradiated; he says "Hence vile Author". In the air by his head flies a tiny Pegasus, his tail inscribed 'Conviction'; on his back stands Apollo blowing a trumpet to which is attached a banner inscribed 'Soaring Speech'. The lower columns of a round temple, inscribed 'Apollo's Court', are visible on the summit of Parnassus. On its slopes, below Sheridan, are Burke and Fox blowing trumpets.
<p><br>The four small designs in the corners of the print are numbered: 'I'., in the upper right corner, is 'Journeymen manufacturing the Defence'. Three asses wearing coats stand round a headless corpse inscribed 'State necessity'. One, holding a heart, says "Humanity unbounded they dared to resist". Another says "Assertions boldly justifying". They are Law, Plumer, and Dallas, Hastings's counsel, see BMSat 7321. Behind (left), Hastings sleeps in an armchair.
<br>2., in the upper left corner, is Nabob making his Defence. The scene resembles the House of Commons, not Westminster Hall. Hastings kneels before the Speaker, saying, "To this defence I'll stick."
<br>3., in the lower right corner, is 'Denying his Defence'. A demon emerges from swaddling clothes inscribed 'Preface'. Burke (right) stands ringing a bell; he says, "O yes, who owns this Bastard". Thurlow (left) stands with a hand on Hastings's shoulder, saying, "I'll swear its none of yours". Hastings answers, "None but the Wrapper [the preface] mine."
<br>4., in the lower left corner, is 'Defence turned upon him pointedly'. Sheridan (left) uses a pitchfork to attack Hastings, who has the face, tail, and hooves of a demon, and cries 'Peccavi'.
<br>After the title is etched, 'With an illustration of a Nabob's Defence'.  9 June 1788
</p>
<br>Etching with hand-colouring
<div class="fn value">
<p>Print made by: William Dent
</p>
<dl><dd>Published by: William Moore</dd>
<dd>Published by: J (or W) Dickie</dd></dl></div>
<a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1868-0808-5745">https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1868-0808-5745</a>