Old Cantwell canvassing for Lord Janus [graphic]

"Wesley (left) leans from a pulpit addressing a congregation who listen to him with expressions and gestures of horror and grief; they are plain, elderly, and plebeian. He holds out to them an open book on one page of which is a man with the appendages of the Devil, inscribed 'Devil Towned', on the other is a man with wings inscribed 'Saint Hood'. He says: "Lord Hood is a Saint, my dear brethren, as immaculate as a new born babe; but as for Lord Townshend he'll be d------n'd to all eternity! I shudder when I tell ye he loves a pretty girl; the Opposition to a man are all fond of pretty girls! They go about like Lions in pursuit of your wives and daughters! Lord Hood's pious Committee will swear to it - Oh! well may ye groan, my dear Sisters of the Elect! I should not wonder if this Rampant Candidate was to enter this sanctified place this moment and ravish every one of ye!" Beneath the pulpit sits the clerk who displays to the congregation an open book, pointing to the words 'Blessed be they that hearken unto me'. In the pulpit behind Wesley are Hood, listening devoutly with his hands held out as if in surprised assent, and a sailor of dissolute appearance who tipsily flourishes a bludgeon with a satisfied grin. A large flag with a St. Andrew's cross leans against the pulpit and forms a background for Hood and Wesley."--British Museum online catalogue