English ministers standing over a large copper (left) and offering the contents, or proposals for peace, to America, Holland, France, and Spain (right). The drawing is crude and the Englishmen are poorly characterized. Standing behind the copper (left), a man in naval uniform, probably Keppel, converses with a colleague: Keppel says, "We had better empty this &amp; make another mess"; the other answers, "They like high season'd things, a few force meat Balls will make it go down". A minister kneels before the copper, blowing the fire beneath it with bellows, and saying, "I must give it tother puff". Behind him stands Fox, as the chief cook, with a fox's head; he holds a large spoon over the copper, while with his left hand he hands a bowl to a military officer, probably Conway. He wears an apron, with a knife at his waist, and is saying, "I have Cook'd speeches before now, Sure I know how to Cook Porridge". Conway answers, "They wont Swallow it they say it is not palatable". A plainly dressed man, perhaps Shelburne (? or John Bull), standing behind and between them says, "Put in more peper of Rodney and salt of Wood."[Probably an error for Hood; James Athol Wood, afterwards rear-admiral, was in the battle of the Saints as Lieutenant of the 'Anson', but he was then unknown to the public.] Between the two groups stands the Duke of Richmond in profile to the right, dressed as a waiter with an apron, addressing Holland, to whom he has just handed a bowl of soup, saying, "Pray sup a little Mynheer". Holland, a stout burgher in baggy breeches, turning his head to look at Richmond over his right shoulder, empties his bowl saying,"I have thrown mine to the ground". Behind Holland stands America as a Red Indian, with head-dress and girdle of feathers; he holds up a tomahawk in his left hand, in his right is a bow, a quiver is slung to his shoulders; he says, turning to Richmond, "I'll have none without my friends like it". On the extreme right stands Spain, in feathered hat, ruff, cloak, and top-boots; he looks over his right shoulder towards his neighbour France, saying, "I'll not taste a drop till I have taken Giberalter". France, a lean fop, his hat under his arm, says to him, "By gar its not so good as soup Meagre." 
<p><br>Beneath the design is engraved:
<br><br>"The State Cooks a making Peace-Porridge are found 
<br>Which they hand to our different Enimies round. 
<br>But they all seem averse, and will not hear Reason 
<br>And swear that it wants more Ingredients &amp; Season, 
<br>Ah! what can the Cooks do in such a hard case?
<br>If such folks will not eat tho! F-x has said grace.
<br>Why give them what obstinate Children deserve
<br>Beat them well, &amp; if they won't eat it then let em Starve."  8 July 1782
</p>
<br>Hand-coloured etching
1782<div style="display: none;">date QS:P571,+1782-00-00T00:00:00Z/9</div>
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