"Two dogs, with the heads of Hood and Wray, followed by huntsmen chase a fox (left to right) down a slope inscribed 'Constitution Hill'. In front of the fox (Fox) is a sign-post, one arm pointing (right) 'To Cov. Garden'; two others pointing left are 'To St. James's' and 'To the Gallows': The fox's tail, inscribed 'Patriotism', brushes the eye of Wray, who says, "This is a swinging Brush it smarts D-----y he has Blinded me quite". The fox, turning his head back, snarls: "Ha Ha my old Friend you have Run hard for a little Poxes P-ss. Hood, half a length behind the fox, and in the foreground, says: "Never fear Brother, a little Court Water will soon heal the Smart." Behind Wray floats or flies a witch-like old woman carrying the staff and cap of Liberty; she says, "Hack Forward, good Dogs, Tally O Ho W-y he has worried all my Geese & put my Hen Roost in an Uproar". Her skirt is inscribed, 'Secret Influence'; 'Prerogatives'; 'Addresses', 'Petitions &c.' (For the addresses thanking the king for dismissing the Coalition see BMSat 6445, &c.) Behind her, on the extreme left of the design, appear the head and shoulders of the king wearing his crown; he says, "Tally O Tally O my Brave Chelsea Tally O", alluding to Wray's proposal to abolish Chelsea Hospital, see BMSat 6475, &c. Behind are two shadowy huntsmen; one, mounted, says "Wee'l whip him Down by G - d"; the other blows a horn."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Re tail iation, Retailiation, and Retaliation
Description:
Title from item., Temporary local subject terms: Elections: Westminster, 1784 -- Allusion to Covent Garden -- Allusion to St. James's -- Allusion to Wray's proposal to abolish Chelsea Hospital -- Court Water -- Constitution Hill -- Liberty (symbolic character) -- Witches -- Allusion to Westminster electors as geese -- Collars: inscribed 'Chelsea' -- Secret influence -- Political addresses: George III's address, March 4, 1784 -- Petitions -- Hunting -- Sign posts -- Hunters -- Royal prerogative., and Countermark in center of sheet: T W or W T.
Publisher:
Pubd. as the act directs, April 16, 1784, by C. Jones, Brewer Street
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Hood, Samuel Hood, Viscount, 1724-1816, and Wray, Cecil, Sir, 1734-1805