Excise inquisition erecting by English slaves under the scourge of their task-masters the excise officers. A British satire on an attempt by William Pitt and George Rose to transfer to excise law certain import duties; standing in opposition is Edward Thurlow. The central image shows Britannia, wrapped in a blanket labeled Extension of Excise, being rocked to sleep in a cradle by Pitt and Rose. Another man, possibly William Mainwaring, is holding Britannia's spear and shield which is labeled Maner and saying By, by, lullaby; to the right of his feet is the British lion, blindfolded and chained to the ground. The destruction of the Bastille is shown in the upper right corner; by depicting the Bastille in a state of ruin, reference is made to the recent liberation of the French, and by implication, to the tyranny under which the British continue to live. Date 1790 March 12th. Excise inquisition erecting by English slaves under the scourge of their task-masters the excise officers. A British satire on an attempt by William Pitt and George Rose to transfer to excise law certain import duties; standing in opposition is Edward Thurlow. The central image shows Britannia, wrapped in a blanket labeled Extension of Excise, being rocked to sleep in a cradle by Pitt and Rose. Another man, possibly William Mainwaring, is holding Britannia's spear and shield which is labeled Maner and saying By, by, lullaby; to the right of his feet is the British lion, blindfolded and chained to the ground. The destruction of the Bastille is shown in the upper right corner; by depicting the Bastille in a state of ruin, reference is made to the recent liberation of the French, and by implication, to the tyranny under which the British continue to live. Date 1790 March 12th.