Title etched below image.
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue.
Reissue, with altered publication line, of a print originally issued with the imprint "London, Published April 30th, 1784, by G. Humphrey, No. 48 Long Acre." Cf. No. 6564 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 6.
"An election-procession marches (right to left) towards the hustings which are indicated by a corner of the pediment of St. Paul's Church and a crowd. A band of butchers, with marrow-bones and cleavers, heads the procession. Next walks the Duchess of Devonshire, holding up on a pole a pair of breeches inscribed 'Man of the People', and surmounted by a crowing cock. She is followed by a lady holding up on a pole a placard with 'Fox (a fox) and the Rights of the Commons'. A third lady holds up on a pole a mob-cap and apron inscribed 'No Tax on Maid Servants'. They are followed by sturdy-looking citizens wearing 'Fox' favours, one of whom carries a fourth standard: a key tied in a hoop and inscribed 'Key of the Back Stairs', [This emblem appears to have been first used on 14 Feb., during Fox's procession to Devonshire House (see British Museum Satires No. 6421, &c), when 'at Lord Temple's, a wag held up a flag tied to a stick, hung round with crape, which he called 'the Secret Influence Key in Mourning'. Full and Authentic Account of the Proceedings in Westminster Hall', 1784, pp. 26-7 n.] in allusion to the 'secret influence' which favoured Pitt, cf. British Museum Satires No. 6417. &c, 6557, 6592, 7139, 7325, 7339, 7372, 7634, 8102. House is seen between the first two ladies, waving his hat and wildly cheering the procession; other spectators do the same. See British Museum Satires No. 6475, &c. The Duchess is more characterized than her two companions, who are probably her sister Lady Duncannon and perhaps Mrs. Crewe, cf. British Museum Satires No. 6493, &c. All three wear the ostrich plumes and fox's brush which were worn as emblems of the Prince of Wales and of Fox."--British Museum online catalogue.