An uncoloured print showing the various allegiances and rivalries in Europe at the beginning of 1786. Under a canopy are George III of England and Frederick the Great of Austria flanked, respectively, by the Kings of England on the left and Kings of Prussia on the right. The double headed eagle of Austria is held by King Frederick. Inscribed in the plate: Pubd Feby 10th 1786 by S Hedges No.91 Cornhill. Description from the Royal Collection Trust.

The amity and co-operation between England and Prussia to check the designs of Austria and France here, depicted, did not ever exist in spite of British diplomatic efforts at Berlin. Frederick, however, to hold the Emperor Joseph in check, had concerted a German League of Princes which was joined by George III as Elector of Hanover. ‘The Bavarian Project’ was Joseph’s scheme for the exchange of his discontented Belgic lands for the Electorate of Bavaria. France was (temporarily) successful in establishing her (anti-British) influence over the United Provinces, and to do so secured the withdrawal by Joseph of his demand for the opening of the lower Scheldt and his claims on Maastricht. The Stadtholder’s position was threatened by the Patriots who were supported by France, cf No. 6292. France roused suspicion in England also by her eastern policy and by fortifications at Cherbourg. Camb. Hist. of British Foreign Policy, 1922, i. 160 ff. Rose, Pitt and National Revival, chap. Xiii. The designs of Russian were at this time more threatening to Turkey than Poland. Camb. Mod. Hist. Viii. 524. Grego, 'Rowlandson', i. 182-3. Partial description from the Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires Vol. VI. 6917.