William V of Orange, a naked fat Cupid, lies on his back asleep on a low plateau of grass sprinkled with flowers. He clasps a spade in his folded hands; his shoulders rest against two large money-bags, padlocked and inscribed '24,000,000 Ducats'. He has been planting orange-trees, and these surround him, of varying sizes, in pots and in tubs; the oranges are the heads of infants, all with his own features. Dream-figures float towards him on clouds, all women in an advanced state of pregnancy. Behind him (left) floats a milk-woman, her yoke across her shoulders, her pail on her head. Next advances, full-face, a fat Billingsgate woman, her basket of fish on her head. These two appear to be shouting at the sleeping Cupid. From the right approaches a housemaid carrying a mop; behind her three haymakers, holding rake or pitchfork, approach together, followed by serried ranks of country women all wearing straw hats. After the title: 'Vide, The Visions in Hampton Bower.' 16 September 1796
Hand-coloured etching
