"Sir Cecil Wray in the foreground, standing on the edge of a circular platform, looks down over his left shoulder at the procession which is chairing Fox round Covent Garden. He holds his right hand to his mouth, in his left he clutches a paper, 'Instruction to make A Speech'. The heads and shoulders of the procession appear over the edge of the platform: in front (left) are men on horse-back, some playing musical instruments, their hats decorated with favours and leaves. (They appear to represent the 'squadron of gentlemen on horseback in the blue and buff uniform', who were followed by trumpeters. 'London Chronicle', 18 May.) Their flag is inscribed 'The Whig Cause'. Next come men on foot immediately in front of Fox, with a flag inscribed 'Man of the People'. Fox, smiling, is seated above the heads of his supporters, his chair wreathed with laurel branches. The striped jacket of one of his bearers shows that he is a butcher; next comes Sam House. Behind walk men, some wearing their hats, which are decorated with favours and foxes' brushes. Their flag is inscribed 'Sacred to Female Patriotism'. Behind (right) is the façade of St. Paul's, Covent Garden, the pediment inscribed 'House of Call for Candidates'. The windows of the houses on the south of the Piazza (left) are crowded with spectators; others stand on the roofs waving their hats. Beneath the title are the words spoken by Wray: "I am Bit D------n the Fox, the D------ss, Chelsea Hospital, Maid Servants, Small Beer, the back Stairs & all together, to be Sure I'm no Speaker Ive no Head I shall not be brought in but the Scrutiny His M-----y will have that and that Bald Pated Son of a B------h Sam H-----se [House] not content with giving my Opponent [sic] Plumpers Threatned to give me A Plumper in each Eye if I did not Cock my Hat t'other Way.""--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched above image., Watermark in center of sheet: J Whatman., and Mounted to 41 x 29 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. as the act directs, May 20, 1784, by W. Humphrey, No. 227 Strand
Subject (Geographic):
England) and London.
Subject (Name):
Wray, Cecil, Sir, 1734-1805, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, House, Samuel, -1785, Cavendish, Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire, 1757-1806, and Great Britain. Parliament