Names of the various figures represented inscribed in pencil in the margins of the sheet.
Title from item.
Print shows a concert by the leaders of the Opposition. Fox (left), seated, plays the fiddle with gusto, looking towards Lord Surrey (center), who plays the cello, turning to Fox. Fox stamps on a torn piece of music under his feet, inscribed 'God save [Gr]eat G[eorge] our King' and from his pocket hangs a paper: 'Irish Propositions set to music for the White Boys. Between Fox and Surrey, Powys, the second violin, is seated on the ground, looking with an agonized expression towards Fox. On Surrey's left sits Lord North, blowing with a scowl the bassoon; William Eden (right) stands in profile to the left, playing with a satisfied smile the Irish harp, at his feet is a squalling cat, watched contemptuously by a large dog whose collar is inscribed "watch". Another dog howls with its fore-paws on the open music-book inscribed "Ballanamonioro". Behind this first row of performers are Burke, Lord Derby and Lord Stormont: Burke stands (left) leaning forward and blowing the trumpet, his right hand on his hip; Derby plays the pipe and tabor; Lord Stormont (right) blows the French horn. at center, Lord Sandwich, seated in an arm-chair, holds a roll inscribed 'Catches & Glees' with which he beats time, turning to the right where Stormont blows the French horn. Farther to the right Lord Carlisle, in profile to the left, plays the clarinet (or hautboys). On the extreme left, in 'profil perdu' to the left, Portland is seated at the harpsichord; his music is also "[B]allanamonioro". In the foreground (left) is a fox, its collar inscribed "Fox", standing on a kettledrum, its cloth decorated with the Cavendish arms and motto, "Cavendo tutus", and snarling at an overturned side-drum decorated with the royal arms; this indicates Fox's attitude to the Crown and the support given to him by the Duchess of Devonshire. On a chimney-piece, behind Portland, is a bust, laurel-wreathed with a blank face, inscribed "oντiς"; against it lean a lyre and a smiling mask. Two manuscripts hang down from the chimney-piece: "Critique on the Rolliad" and "Probationary Odes for the Laureateship". On the back wall, above the heads of the performers, are (left to right) marrow-bones and cleavers, reminiscent of the bands of butchers who had supported Fox in the Westminster Election. Next is a framed picture: Fox beating a tambourine, North playing a clarinet to which dance performing dogs and a hare. In the centre is an oval bust portrait of the Prince of Wales, the frame inscribed "Auspicium melioris Ævi". The third depicts Fox leading a performing bear, while a man, resembling a bearded Jewish man, plays a hurdy-gurdy. On the extreme right a legal wig is hung above a set of bagpipes; it is inscribed "New Wig" [Whig] with the letters "C.P"; on the bag are the letters "PC", on one of the pipes "1745". They represent Loughborough, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and his self-seeking changes of party.