Although acquitted of receiving money in return for offices, the Duke of York nonetheless resigned his position on 18 March 1809. It was widely believed that this would be only a temporary measure and he was duly reinstated in 1811. Here John Bull, a personification of the British people, is shown begging him not to resign. The contrast between the disingenuous Duke and the credulous Bull highlights the former’s betrayal of the public trust. Cat. 77