The Catholic association, or, Paddy coming it strong!! [graphic]

"Canning stands on a platform (left) which is surrounded by a dense crowd of ruffianly looking Irishmen, some with pikes and banners. With his top-hat in his right hand, the (gloved) left hand extended, he says: Gentlemen, may I beg to know what it is you all want?--you may depend upon my firm support. One of the mob, raising a clenched fist, answers: Now dont you know what we want better than ourselves? so you do. O the devils in it but you have a bad memory. Well den we want our Rights my dear honey. Other shouts are: Yes and our Wrongs; And the Parliament; And the Union back again. A tattered ruffian with a cocked blunderbuss inscribed Redress says Musha--bad luck to you. Two shout O Connell for ever, and a third says: By the powers of Potteen we'll have O'Connell in Parliament to assist you my darling. Two men shout Erin go Bragh. A man holding a pike shouts Canning for ever well done my Jewel. Four others: Down with the Orangemen; Success to Captain Rock [see British Museum Satires No. 14675]; And the good old days of King James; Och! Spelspeen. A villainous-looking monk holds a large cross inscribed Religion; it is topped by a spike supporting a bonnet rouge. A crosier to which is tied a large money-bag inscribed Catholic Rent is held high. Banners are inscribed: O'Connell for ever; Six Millions of People [red] surmounted by a green pennant on which is an Irish harp; and Toleration. In the foreground a woman with two children gazes up at Canning; a few other women are among the crowd. A man seated on the shoulders of another plays a fiddle: a bottle is brandished and bludgeons, one spiked, are displayed. An enormous crowd with pikes, receding in perspective, is indicated in the background."--British Museum online catalogue