The Modern Hercules, Cleansing the Augean Stable In the foreground Samuel Whitbread, the brewer and Whig reformer, is Hercules, cleaning out the Parliamentary stables, occupied by horses with politicians' heads. He is throwing a barrel of Whitbread's Intire at a horse on the right. The horse, who has the head and wig of Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville, complains: "What the deel is the mon a boot". Under the horse's legs is a broom inscribed 'Will Force's (ie Wilberforce) BROOM FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF VICE'. Behind Melville are the legs and head of Trotter who says: "Attack the Gallopers, I am only a poor Trotter." Behind him is Pitt, who says: "I am afraid we shall all get drenched in turn." There are a number of ministers behind them, including possibly Castlereagh and Canning. They protest: "Who could have expected this." Above the horses' heads are the 'Treasury Stall', 'Army Stall', and 'Navy Stall' all filled with money bags. Next to Melville is a 'PRIVATE CHEST for Stray Provender', referring to the private account in which naval funds had been deposited. The statue of the mitred 'Abbot of St Stephen' on the left represents the speaker of the House of Commons. 23 Apr 1805