The poverty of a military officer on half-pay is contrasted with the wealth of an officer of the East India Company. On the left stands an officer beside a cannon inscribed 'G.R.', its muzzle inscribed 'honor'. He has a wooden leg and has lost his right arm. He holds up an empty purse inscribed 'gain'. Behind him a path leads to the 'Kings Bench' prison (for debtors), which flies a large British flag. At his feet is a paper inscribed 'half pay' and the word 'subsistence'. Beneath this half of the design is inscribed: 'The Royal Captain's rewards for serving the King'.
<p><br>On the right a stout officer stands arrogantly on two boxes of merchandize, his head turned in profile to the left. He wears a long sword, in his right hand is a cane which rests on large bales inscribed 'Shawls'. His left hand extended behind him clasps one of three bags with labels: 'a Bulse' and '£40,000'. These stand on large bundles inscribed 'Silks Muslins Nankeens &amp;c.' The chests on which he stands are 'Fine Military Gun powder Tea' and 'Cups Ta [letters obliterated] Chamber, &amp;c.'; a third is 'Otto o[f] Roses'. Beneath them are papers: 'Custom house Oath' (torn) and 'India Comp Affidavit'. His attitude and expression indicate grasping arrogance; his rightuffled shirt and two bunches of seals hanging from his fob indicate fashion. Beneath are the words: 'Captn Lions rewards for serving the Crown'.  28 February 1791
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<br>Hand-coloured etching
1791<div style="display: none;">date QS:P571,+1791-00-00T00:00:00Z/9</div>
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