The rat-catcher sits in the doorway of a bare, ramshackle room, on the floor of which are large steel traps and rats, some already caught. He is John Robinson, Secretary to the Treasury under North, who managed elections for the Government, issuing the money from the Treasury. The rats have human bodies with rat's heads, and crawl over the floor on their hands and knees. One rat is caught by the arm in a trap inscribed 'Buck Hounds', though the place of Master of the Buck Hounds had disappeared with the passing of Burke's Bill of Economical Reform. In the foreground a rat in naval uniform is caught by the tail in a trap inscribed 'Baronet'; he is crawling towards another trap, 'Seat in ye new Parlt'. The three other rats are advancing to traps inscribed respectively, 'Private Pension, Peerage, Place 1000 a Yr'.
<p><br>On the wall hangs a torn and unframed portrait completely covered by an enormous cobweb, inscribed 'William 3d.' In contrast to this is a framed whole length portrait of Charles I, his head irradiated, inscribed 'Sanct. Carol. Pri.' Next it (right) hangs a ragged document inscribed 'Magna Chart[a] In fine preservation'. Over the door (left) the lower part of a portrait inscribed 'Robinson Crusoe' is visible, showing the identity of Robinson who sits beneath it.  Beneath the design is inscribed:
<br><br>'Thus when Renegado sees a Rat
<br>In the traps in the morning taken
<br>With pleasure he goes Master Pit to pat
<br>And swears he will save his Bacon'   27 February 1784
</p>
<br>Etching
1784<div style="display: none;">date QS:P571,+1784-00-00T00:00:00Z/9</div>
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