Skip to main content

Triumphal Procession of Little Paul the Taylor upon his New Goose, 8 November 1806

 Item — Box: LF104/8 Box 1
Reference code: LF104/8/95

Scope and Contents

Artist: James Gillray. Published: Hannah Humphrey. The procession trudges through the muddy channel (kennel) between cobblestones from 'Hudsons Hotel', whose pillared porch, with a placard, 'Paul & Indep[endence]', is partly visible on the extreme right., to the hustings, part of which is in the background (left). The central figure is Paull, seated with crossed ankles on a big 'India Cabbage' on the back of a goose with the head of Sir Francis Burdett, the goose's beak projecting in front of Burdett's profile. Paull is an out-at-elbows tailor, in slovenly dress. In his right. hand he holds a huge pair of shears, between the blades of which is a vast 'True Perth Cucumber'. In his left hand is a yard-stick over his shoulders is a tape-measure; on the back of his goose are a roll of patterns of 'Superfine Cloth' inscribed 'Patterns for the New Parliament Dress', and a smoothing-iron inscribed 'Goose upon Goose'. Horne Tooke, full face and walking sideways, leads the goose by a noose of rope round its neck; he says: "Come along Goosee! come along! Paulee says he will go with you if its to the Scaffold! Goosee!!" Under his arm is a pamphlet: 'Hints for New Patriots'. In his hat is a favour: 'Paul & Public Good'. In front of Tooke, and leading the procession is Bosville, a shambling elderly man scattering coins from his hat; he says: "There's a Penny apiece, for you Lads! & now Hollo out - "Paul forever!" and then Ill give each of you a Ride, in my Coach & Four! - Hollo boys!!" In his pocket is a 'List of the London Correspo[nding] Society'. Behind the goose Cobbett marches aggressively, putting his top-boot to the bird's rump, and blowing a fiery blast from a trumpet: 'Glorious News! - Paul for ever! - damnation to the Whigs'. In his left hand he holds out a sheaf of 'Cobbett's Political Register'; from his pocket projects 'Speeches for Paul Goose &c &c &c'. In his hat is a favour inscribed 'Independence and Public Justice'. Behind him and on the extreme right are hideous crones bawling from the ballads they hold: 'Paul & Plumpers'. They wear favours inscribed 'Paul'. In the background the mob faces the procession, cheering wildly, waving hats and bludgeons, and with the inevitable chimney-sweep. They shout "Paul for Ever" and "Paul & Plumpers". Some (left) hold out their hats to catch Bosville's coins. Below the design are inscriptions describing the figures (left to right): '[1] Tom Paine [i.e. Bosville] distributing Halfpence among the Mob - (Vide, Election at Honiton - "Tom Paine for Ever" - [2] an Old Monk from Brentford - leading poor Goose in a string! (Vide - Paul's address to the Electors of Westminsr [3, the title.] [4] Porcupine dirtying his Boots, in attempting to give Poor Goosee a shove out of the Kennel. - [5] Ballad Singers at 5 shilling a day closing the Procession.' On the two posts of the hustings, at the end occupied by Paull's supporters, are the placards: 'St Giles in the Fields' and 'Tothil Fields'. (On the actual placards were the names of the Westminster parishes, indicating where voters were to poll: Gillray implies a rabble from the slums, outside and inside Westminster). Description from the British Museum.

Dates

  • Creation: 8 November 1806

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

Contact:
Western Bank Library
University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield South Yorkshire S10 2TN United Kingdom
+44 (0) 114 222 7299