"Two men stand in the pillory on a small platform (left); over their heads is a cask, inscribed 'Small Beer', erected on a pole. Over the head of one left is Judas, indicating Sir Cecil Wray, over the other 'J.. k-s..n' indicating John Jackson, steward of the Duke of Newcastle and a prominent supporter of Wray, see British Museum Satires No. 6492. A large key hangs from the corner of the pillory, the emblem of the back-stairs by which Pitt and his supporters were supposed to have obtained office, cf. British Museum Satires No. 6564. Behind (right) walks a procession of maidservants who look scornfully at the victims; one carries a flag inscribed 'Tax on Maid Servants'; others, a broom, a mop, and a shovel. Immediately behind the platform the heads of a crowd, a row of staves marking the constables who stand in front, are suggested. Fox (right) stands in the foreground haranguing the crowd; he holds a Union flag inscribed 'The Rights of the Commons'. Behind him is a mob of men waving their hats, among whom Sam House is conspicuous. The scene is by the hustings in Covent Garden, the portico of the church (right) being lighdy sketched behind Fox."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Rights of the commons
Description:
Title from British Museum catalogue., Text on flag within image: The rights of the commons., Reissue, with new imprint statement that is antedated. See British Museum online catalogue, registration no.: 1851,0901.144., Date of publication based on earlier state with the imprint "Publish'd as the act directs, May 7, 1784." See British Museum catalogue., Temporary local subject terms: Hustings -- Taxes: Tax on maidservants -- Brooms -- Mops -- Shovels -- Hats -- Election flags -- Election slogans: 'The rights of the Commons' -- Covent Garden: Piazza -- Portico of St. Paul's Church, Covent Garden -- Pillories -- 'Small beer' -- Key of the Back Stairs -- Allusion to secret influence -- John Jackson, Duke of Newcastle's steward., and Watermark in center of sheet.
Publisher:
Publish'd as the act directs, June 26th, 1783, by H. Humphreys, No. 51 New Bond Street
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, Servants, and Political elections
"Fox is being chaired (left to right) in a high-backed chair wreathed with laurel, according to the custom in Westminster at the close of an election. The three supporters of the chair (three quarter length figures in the foreground) are three ladies, all young and pretty, one of course the Duchess of Devonshire. On the third (left) is inscribed 'Portland Place', probably the Duchess of Portland, possibly Lady Archer, called 'the Portland Place Archer'. The other is probably Lady Duncannon. All three wear hats trimmed with a fox's brush. The foremost lady (right) holds a paper inscribed 'British Constitution'. Beside Fox in his chair is the cap of Liberty on its staff; he holds up a torn paper inscribed 'Rights of England'; in his left hand is a paper inscribed 'Privileges of the People'. A cluster of cherubs' heads beside him, emerging from clouds, is inscribed 'Voice of the People'; the principal cherub blows a trumpet from which issue the words 'Fox & Liberty'. In the background behind the chair (left) is a sea of heads; on the right is Sam House wearing his hat. Beneath the design is etched:'Friends freemen Britons all your strength be tried To quell oppression stem corruptions tide Let shouting plaudits fill resounding air And Fox & virtue set in freedom's chair.'"--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title trimmed from this impression? Title from earlier state published by W. Wall on April 12, 1784. Cf. Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 6, no. 6524., Sheet trimmed on the bottom within plate mark., Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires., and Countermark in center of sheet: T.W. [monogram].
Publisher:
Pubd. May 18, 1784 by W. Holland, No. 66 Drury Lane
Subject (Geographic):
England) and London.
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Cavendish, Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire, 1757-1806, Bessborough, Henrietta Frances Spencer Ponsonby, Countess of, 1761-1821, Portland, Dorothy Cavendish, Duchess of, 1750-1794, House, Samuel, -1785, and Great Britain. Parliament
Subject (Topic):
Elections, 1784, Musical instruments, Parades & processions, and Political elections
Title and printmaker from British Museum catalogue., "Phillips" identified as printmaker in British Museum catalogue., Temporary local subject terms: Trumpet blown by cherub -- Furniture: Chair wreathed with laurel -- Cap of Liberty -- Cherubs' heads -- Election litters., and Mounted to 29 x 23 cm.
Publisher:
Pubd. April 12, 1784 by W. Wall, No. 31 Charles St. opposite Middlesex Hospittal [sic]
Subject (Geographic):
England) and London.
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Cavendish, Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire, 1757-1806, Bessborough, Henrietta Frances Spencer Ponsonby, Countess of, 1761-1821, Portland, Dorothy Cavendish, Duchess of, 1750-1794, House, Samuel, -1785, and Great Britain. Parliament
Subject (Topic):
Elections, 1784, Angels, Musical instruments, Canvassing, and Political elections