Dressing the Minister, Alias Roasting the Guinea Pig, 1795

Prime Minister Pitt is roasted by a group of barbers as King George III's head looks on. William Pitt introduced a hair-powder tax on 6 May 1795 in order to pay off the Prince of Wales's debts. Every owner of a powdered wig had to pay a guinea for a licence. The tax was soon abandoned when it became clear that the barbers trade was being ruined

1795 Alias Barbers Clear Debts Guinea Iiis Introduced Licence Powdered Roasted Roasting

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