The Hustings, 21 May 1796
Scope and Contents
By James Gillray. Fox addresses a proletarian mob from some point apparently under the portico of St. Paul's, Covent Garden. He stands behind a railing, and bends forward, hat in hand, clasping to his breast the 'Pewter-Pot Bill', saying, "Ever guardian of your most sacred rights, I have opposed the Pewter-Pot-Bill!!!" The crowd look up at him, cheering and shouting "a Mug, a Mug". They wear blue and buff favours. In the foreground are half-length figures of a little chimney-sweep with the name 'C. Fox Westminster' on the front of his cap (by the Act of 1788 these boys had to wear their master's name on their cap), and of a pot-boy, with a string of pewter pots slung to his shoulder; he holds up a foaming pot towards Fox inscribed 'Jack Slang - Tree of Liberty Petty France'. The same inscription is indicated on his pots. Beneath the title: 'Vox populi, - "We'll have a Mug! - a Mug! - a Mug! - Mayor of Garret' A quotation from Foote's comedy (1763). Description from the British Museum.
Dates
- Creation: 21 May 1796
Conditions Governing Access
Available by appointment in our Reading Room
Extent
1 Item(s)
Language of Materials
English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and Archives Repository
Western Bank Library
University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield South Yorkshire S10 2TN United Kingdom
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