A night scene under the Piazza of Covent Garden, the center of which is seen through the arch of the arcade. A couple hurry arm-in-arm through a doorway (right) over which is Haddocks (a bagnio). The woman is the Duchess of Devonshire, shown with a bare breast and holding a lantern. She tells the prim young man "Vote for whom you please but kiss before you poll." He answers, "Tis too much neighbor! I could not go through with it." On the left behind the couple is Mrs. Hobart who holds her lantern to see an old Chelsea pensioner and a negro supported on stumps and crutches. She says to them, "D-m the Duchess, she got all the young voters."
Alternative Title:
Dark lantern business, or, Mrs. Hob and Nob on a night canvass with a bosom friend and Mrs. Hob and Nob on a night canvass with a bosom friend
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed partially within plate mark., and Mounted to 29 x 38 cm.
Publisher:
Pub. April 24th, 1784, by H. Humphrey, Bond Street
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain.
Subject (Name):
Cavendish, Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire, 1757-1806, Buckinghamshire, Albinia Hobart, Countess of, 1738-1816, and Covent Garden (London, England)
Subject (Topic):
Brothels, Lanterns, Lighting, People with disabilities, Political elections, and Prostitutes
Title from item., Thirty lines of verse below design., Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires., and Mounted to 37 x 27 cm.
Publisher:
Published by W.M. Omer July 29th 1788 Little Mays Buildings St. Martins Lane London
