[Scene in the Crown and Anchor tavern]

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John Thomas Smith
1766-1833
[Scene in the Crown and Anchor tavern]
Peel 1917
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Plate to "An Admonitory Nod to a Blind Horse", verses (by G. Huddesford) appended to "The Scum Uppermost ..."
A satire on a speech made by Russell, praising Fox, before the cavalcade of Burdett's supporters set out on 26 July from the Crown and Anchor in the Strand for Brentford.

Summary: 

Fox stands on a large chair on an immense table, holding up in his left hand a flaming globe (the traditional sign of a 'World's End' tavern). His great paunch is inscribed: "Victuelled by Subscription of the Nobility", an allusion to the subscription of 1793. Before him on the table stands a young man with a vacant face, wearing a fool's cap (Lord William Russell), who points both hands at Fox, while he addresses the vast cheering crowd that surrounds the table on which are a large punch-bowl, glasses, and many empty bottles. Against Fox's chair leans a bulky rolled document: "Sovereign Rights of the People"; beside it is a large volume, "Howard" (allusions to the toasts given by Fox and Norfolk, for which they were removed from the Privy Council). The crowds wave their hats in frantic applause. Burdett is a small figure standing by the left corner of the table. Near him is Dr. Parr; other rightecognizable heads (on a small scaled) are Tierney, Sheridan, and Erskine. In the foreground an evil-looking man has 'R T' [? Returned Transport] across his shoulders. Four busts on brackets decorate the walls: "Mirabeau", "Talleyrand", "Buonaparte", "O Conner".

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