An election procession of thirteen patriots walking from right to left wearing the colours of Sir Watkin Lewes, elected M.P. for the City, 29 Sept. 1781, see BMSat 5849. Two flags are carried, one "Lewes &amp; Freedom", the other, "No Ministerial Influence", in reference to Lewes' speech on his election on 29 Sept. Two of the men are playing flutes, a third blows a horn. The figures are probably portraits; two are butchers wearing aprons, their steels hanging from their waists; beside one of them walks a muzzled dog with a collar inscribed "Liberty"; this butcher is eating as he walks. One man drinks a glass of wine, holding a lump of food in his left hand. One with a swathed and gouty leg walks on crutches. All have election favours in their hats, these are inscribed respectively "Lewes for ever"; "Sr Watkin for ever"; "Freedom"; "Lewes"; "No Bribery"; "Lewes"; "No Corruption". In the hat of the butcher with the dog is "Freedom's my plan Sr Watkin is the Man".
<p><br>The background is formed by the lower part of the façade of two houses in a street, the front of two shops being indicated. On the pavement (left) four little chimney-sweeps are shouting and waving their hats and brushes. Beneath the title is engraved:
<br><br>"These stanch friends to freedom you here do behold, 
<br>Will be bribe'd with good eating tho' they spurn at yr gold. 
<br>For offer them money it's such a disgrace, 
<br>'Tis a thousand to one they dont spit in your face. 
<br>But give them pudding &amp; beef with compliments civil, 
<br>To serve you they'll go ay e'en to the devil." 28 October 1781
</p>
<br>Etching
<div class="fn value">
<p>After: John Nixon
</p>
<dl><dd>Published by: William Wells</dd></dl></div>
1781<div style="display: none;">date QS:P571,+1781-00-00T00:00:00Z/9</div>
<a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_J-1-29">https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_J-1-29</a>