"Sir Cecil Wray (left) is being drummed away from the hustings; Sam House, the central figure, beats a drum, looking at Wray. On the right, ignoring Wray, stands Fox addressing the populace, a cheering crowd behind him; he holds a flag on which is the figure of Britannia seated, holding the staff and cap of Liberty, and the words 'Champion of the People'. He says, "Friends & Fellow Citizens I cannot find words to express my feelings to you upon this Victory". Wray walks beside a procession which marches to Sam House's drum. It is headed by Chelsea pensioners with wooden legs, who scowl at him; one carries a crutch over his shoulder. They have two flags, inscribed respectively 'May all public Deserters feel public Resentment' (Wray had deserted the cause of Fox who nominated him for Westminster in 1782, see British Museum Satires No. 5998), and 'Chealsea Hospital'. They are followed by a detachment of maidservants, with a flag inscribed 'Tax on Maid Servants'; they carry over their shoulders a broom, a brush, a mop, a shovel. A crowd cheers frantically, hats are waved at the procession and at Fox. Behind Fox is part of the portico of St. Paul's, Covent Garden, the scene of his triumph at the hustings, see British Museum Satires No. 6590, &c."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Westminster deserter drummed out of the regiment
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker and date of publication from Grego., Plate from: The history of the Westminster election., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Temporary local subject terms: Churches: St. Paul's Church, Covent Garden -- Proposed tax on maidservants -- Chelsea Hospital pensioners -- Hustings -- Drumming for the hustings -- Slogans: 'Champion of the people' -- Veterans., and Mounted to 29 x 39 cm.
Publisher:
publisher not identified
Subject (Geographic):
England and London.
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, House, Samuel, -1785, Wray, Cecil, Sir, 1734-1805, and Great Britain. Parliament
Subject (Topic):
Elections, 1784, Politics and government, Britannia (Symbolic character), Drums (Musical instruments), Brooms, Cheering, Crowds, Crutches, and Servants
