[Sir Cecil Wray in the pillory]

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[Sir Cecil Wray in the pillory]
etching
image: 213 x 323 mm; plate mark: 249 x 347 mm; sheet: 267 x 368 mm
Peel 2495
Published: 
[London?] : [publisher not identified], publish'd as the act directs, May 7, 1784.
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Title from British Museum catalogue.
Text on flag within image: The rights of the commons.
"The figure of Fox, the crowd, and the procession of maidservants are similar to those in BMSat 6586, showing that one must have been copied from the other, or both from a common source. An impression with the imprint 'Published as the Act directs June 26th 1783 by H. Humphreys N° 51 New Bond Street' is clearly ante-dated."--Curatorial comments, British Museum online catalogue.

Summary: 

"Two men stand in the pillory on a small platform (left); over their heads is a cask, inscribed 'Small Beer', erected on a pole. Over the head of one left is Judas, indicating Sir Cecil Wray, over the other 'J.. k-s..n' indicating John Jackson, steward of the Duke of Newcastle and a prominent supporter of Wray, see British Museum Satires No. 6492. A large key hangs from the corner of the pillory, the emblem of the back-stairs by which Pitt and his supporters were supposed to have obtained office, cf. British Museum Satires No. 6564. Behind (right) walks a procession of maidservants who look scornfully at the victims; one carries a flag inscribed 'Tax on Maid Servants'; others, a broom, a mop, and a shovel. Immediately behind the platform the heads of a crowd, a row of staves marking the constables who stand in front, are suggested. Fox (right) stands in the foreground haranguing the crowd; he holds a Union flag inscribed 'The Rights of the Commons'. Behind him is a mob of men waving their hats, among whom Sam House is conspicuous. The scene is by the hustings in Covent Garden, the portico of the church (right) being lighdy sketched behind Fox."--British Museum online catalogue.

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