An Enquiry into the cause of the high price of provisions, William Dent, 1786

A city feast, guzzlers seated on each side of a long table, the ends of which do not appear. The decorations of the wall explain the intention of the satire: in the centre is an escutcheon, a burlesque of the arms of the city of london; a knife (in place of the dagger) in the sinister chief quarter is inscribed 'hash'. The supporters are two stags, probably an allusion to the old gibe that citizens were cuckolds. The motto is 'we live to eat'. A turtle serves as crest. On each side of the arms are two placards: [1] 'resolved, that all persons not bound by corporation laws to feed on animal food, be advised to content themselves with a vegetable diet, as it will much tend to reduce the price of provisions'. [2] 'hereford. Father h------ informs the committee, that he is using his best endeavours to prevent the little farmers being guilty of monopolizing the necessaries of life. ' [3] 'the committee feel themselves much indebted to their west india correspondent, & hope a colinuance of his favors, as they very much wish to promote the trade of the islands. ' [4] 'the committee return thanks to their correspondent sylva,for his kind correspondence, & would be very glad of the assistance of any other gentleman, in the like manner, they having a very great predilection for primitive living'. Two pictures are on the extreme left and right: 'the report' represents a citizen wearing a civic chain seated in a latrine; behind his head are two placards: 'cure for a surfeit and good example a city tale'. 'the cause' (right) depicts a stout man gorging at a table loaded with food and wine; on the wall is a placard, 'moderation, an old story. ' on the farther side of the table are five men; four are guzzling in an ill-bred manner, the one farthest left holds a wine-glass. All have napkins tucked under the chin. Behind their heads are placards: 'resolved', 'that a bounty be given for the encouragement of the turbot fishery' and (right) 'resolved, nem. Con. That corporation dinners do not increase the price of provisions'. Four men sit on the near side of the table, two in back view, the two central diners turning their heads in profile to look at each other; on the bench next one of these (left) is a hammer inscribed 'auctioneer', next the other a trowel inscribed 'bricklayer'. All wear civic gowns. The table is covered with food and there is a bottle of 'claret'. The two centre dishes are a tureen (inscribed 'turtle') from which hangs a label, 'a west india trader to the provision committee', and a saddle of mutton, correspondingly labelled 'sylva to the provision committee'. 23 november 1786 etching. Date: 1786. Dimensions: Height: 247 mm; Width: 349 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Rev John Howlett. Collection: British Museum. An Enquiry into the cause of the high price of provisions (BM 1868,0808.5579)