Artist: Charles Williams. Published: S. W. Fores. Sheridan and Lord Percy stand together in front of the hustings at Covent Garden (right). Sheridan (left), much caricatured, slouching and deprecating, pulls at the coat-tail of the tall and handsome Percy, who draws back with a gesture of horrified dissent. Sheridan, looking down, says:

"Gallant Hotspur------ Let me uphold my drooping Fame, By tacking Bardolphs unto Hotspurs Name"

He holds a rolled document: 'Speech to the independant [Electors of] Westminster'. At his feet is another: 'The Vicar of Bray'. Percy declaims theatrically:

"Fellow thy doings are akin to Knavery!! ------, I cannot call thee Colleague I cannot stain the blood of Percy by such a Coalition, rather than call thee Brother I yield my seat to thee,"

At his feet is a paper: 'God prosper long our Noble King'. In the background (right) the crowded seats of the hustings are freely indicated, with voters polling. Description from the British Museum.