Genre:

Poetry, Drollery, Satire

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [3]

Illustrators:

T H, pseud.  [Thomas Hood] J Hewitt, jun.

Subjects:

Political Economy, Mathematics, Government, Radicalism, Class

    The poem satirizes Hume's demands for financial retrenchment, and makes repeated puns on mathematical words. Refers to the fact that 'in stirring up corruption's worms' Hume makes 'some factions / Vulgar as certain fractions, / Almost reduced unto their lowest terms' (158). The illustration captioned 'Fancy Portrait:—Mr. Hume' (opposite 157) depicts a man seated at a gaming table on which sits a box marked 'counters'. The paintings on the wall are captioned 'According to Cocker' (depicting two cocks fighting), 'A Figurante' (depicting a dancer), and 'A Revenue Cutter' (depicting a sailing ship). The illustration captioned 'Set Down One and Carry One' (opposite 158) depicts a woman having fallen off the back of a horse on which her husband continues to ride unaware. The illustration captioned 'Long Division' (161) depicts a man being eaten in half by a giant crocodile.