The liberty of the subject

Print shows a press-gang at work in a London street, at the end of which appears the dome of St. Paul's. A sailor strides towards the spectator, a club in his right. hand, dragging along a lean tailor, who holds up his hands in dismay. An infuriated woman (left) has seized the sailor by his hair and the right. ear while she pummels him with her knee. Another sailor behind has seized her wrist and raises a club to strike her. A third sailor (right) holds the tailor by the left. arm. A naval officer walks beside the party with a drawn cutlass. Behind are other sailors. A woman at left, wearing stays or jumps', raises a mop in both hands to smite a sailor as an infant clutches her petticoats. A group of spectators at left includes a woman carrying a baby. A dog barks at the fray.