Illustration by Shade, 1784

The true characters of the figures in the Warren Hastings impeachment case are revealed by their shadows. Hastings stood accused of corruption and unlawful conduct during his post in India. King George III and Lord Chancellor Thurlow are shown to be corrupt; George's shadow holds a diamond box, or bulse, and Thurlow's a coin purse. Hastings shadow is a devil, wielding an axe inscribed perversion'. William Pitt (Prime Minister) holds a key to the Back Stairs, implying secret influence with the King, and his shadow is that of a girl holding a rattle. Home Secretary Sydney's shadow is a headless Tom Fool

1784 1788 Coin Conduct Corrupt Corruption Fool Hastings Headless Impeachment Implying Influence Perversion Purse Rattle Revealed Shade Sydneys Thurlow Unlawful Wielding

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