Image: A view of the deluge of Scotch paper currency for English gold (BM 1855,0609.1955)

Description: A Scotsman in the air astride a broom is carrying off six large money-bags, three being inscribed "£2,000", "£10,000", and "£50,000". He scatters banknotes or bills; men on the ground, some sinking into a bog. exclaim in horror at his action. In the centre Britannia is seated, she says: "This Scotch paper diet has brought me to a consumption". In the foreground (r.) Lord North seated, his back to the other figures, writes on a paper inscribed: "Scheme for paying off the National Debt"; he says: "I will not at present promise to pay 17 Millions in ten Years". The scene is the sea-shore; three Scotsmen (l.) row out to sea in a boat loaded with money-bags, saying: "We'll over the Water to Charly". The Scotsman on the broom, who resembles caricatures of Bute, says: "The deel away wi ye all ye English Pudding-bags ken ye nae that Paper is lighter of digestion than Gold". A man sinking in a bog-hole says: "Oh I am Sunk for ever". Another, covering his face, says: "Let me hide my Face, how can I now shew my self to my Creditors". 1 August 1772 Etching
Title: A view of the deluge of Scotch paper currency for English gold
Credit: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1855-0609-1955
Permission: © The Trustees of the British Museum, released as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No