A tall central column divides anti-Reformers (left) from Reformers. On it stands Lord J. Russell holding up the mirror of 'Truth', the Bill in his left hand. The base is inscribed 'King and Constitution'. On the column, reading downwards: 'Lord Russell and Reform 60 Rotten Boroughs to be disfranchised Auldborough Appleby Beeralston Bletchingly Boroughbridge Callington Corfe Castle Gatton Old Sarum Tregony Buckingham Wareham &amp;c. Give Members to Manchester Sheffield Halifax Huddersfield Birmingham Kidderminster Macclesfield Dudley Bradford Stockport Wakefield &amp;c &amp;c'.
<p><br>The Tories, impotently violent, attack the column with weapons and haul at it with three ropes. From the uppermost rope hangs a green bag, from which protrude two little feet: it is inscribed 'Northumberland &amp; Co £2 Millions to oppose the King'. In front are Wellington and Peel; the Duke uses a battle-axe with a damaged edge inscribed 'Blood', Peel a pickaxe. Round the latter's waist is a broad band inscribed 'Orange Peel'; the Devil peers at him from the flames of Hell, shouting 'Go it Bob'. Behind these two are the rest of the 'Conservative Gang', partly hidden by smoke. The most prominent are Wetherell in a barrister's wig, Sir R. Wilson (see BM Satires No. 16653), his back placarded 'A Rat A Rat to be tarred &amp; feathered', Cumberland and Eldon. Behind Wetherell, Hunt, wearing a battered top-hat inscribed 'sold', brandishes a spiked bludgeon inscribed 'Riot'. Many supporters with pikes and flags inscribed 'War and Revolution' form a background. In the foreground, falling to the ground, which is inscribed 'Bribery and Corruption', are spurred cavalry boots (cf. BM Satires No. 14220) and military gauntlets. A spade lies beside them.
<br>Facing the frenzied gang stand the dignified Reformers. Grey, in a peer's robe, and Brougham, in Chancellor's wig and gown with the Mace and the Purse of the Great Seal, hold up between them a long scroll headed 'Pro Rege Lege Grege' [see BM Satires No. 16642]; it continues: 'Grey Brougham Russell Althorp Hume O'Connell Norfolk Burdett Hobhouse Hawkins Stanley Davis. And many more good fellows—Huzza—' Grey's words fill a large label above his supporters: 'We are for our King and People. The Bill the whole Bill and nothing but the Bill'. There are three other Reformers including (?) Denman. Against the column leans a big anchor entwined with a scroll: 'God Save the King'.
<br>Flanking Lord J. Russell in the upper part of the print are two designs: [1] (Above the anti-Reformers) 'Vox Populi | Dissolution of Parliament'. William IV stands, saying with an imperious gesture, 'My Lords and Gentle, men. I have been induced to resort to this measure for the purpose of ascertaining the sense of my people, in the way in which it can be most constitutionally and authentically expressed'. Brougham stands; the other peers are terror-struck, Wellington falls backwards from his seat, others flee; one (? Londonderry! has long ass's ears. See BM Satires No. 16641, &amp;c. [2] 'Speed the Plough | The Country as it will be'. Two full cornucopias are suspended above a landscape where a man ploughs; there are ships in full sail, a mill, &amp;c.; a rising sun irradiates the scene with rays inscribed 'Peace &amp; Plenty'. For these expectations cf. BM Satires No. 17015, &amp;c.  [May 1831]
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<br>Hand-coloured lithograph
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<p>After: Isaac Robert Cruikshank
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<dl><dd>Published by: Alfred Miller</dd></dl></div>
circa 1831 <div style="display: none;">date QS:P571,+1831-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902</div>
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