A hog (see bmsat 7738) wearing a wig, spectacles, and a livery gown, sits at the head of a dinner-table under a canopy. The other guests, &c, have numbers referring to notes beneath the design. They are '4' a beefeater who holds a glass of wine to the hog's mouth; '3', also in a livery gown, sits at the opposite end of the table in an armchair; '1', '2', '6', and '8' sit at the table drinking. '7', dressed as a postillion, stands holding up his glass. '5', a man with (?) tape hanging from his pocket, enters through a door (left) carrying a punch-bowl. Over the door is the head of an ox. The notes show the words of the catch which they sing:
'1 park. The hogs they lie with their asses bare grunty, grunty, grunt. 2 riming--n here's justice, alderman, & mayor, drunkty &c. 3 sn--w. Pray what do you mean by insulting me. Thumpty &c. 4 p--nt--n no cutting or slashing nor glister for me frumpty, &c. 5 p--rr--n i am the lad that brings you good cheer plumpty &c. 6 ban--d and i am the coachman that brought the pig here lumpty &c. 7 si--ns--y slingo the postboy and til drive him home. Jumpty &c. 8 b--nd--g. Beny the butcher will ne'er let him roam, dumpty. '
above the heads of the diners is etched:
'general chorus. And when the show is over, and all the gain we've got
why then our brother alderman alas! he goes to pot
hey down ho down derry deny down o the corporation
hogs of windsor. '
the canopy over the pig is inscribed 'semper eadem' and 'wisdom in every glance in every gesture dignity and grace. ' 8 march 1790. Etching. Date: 1790. Dimensions: Height: 248 mm; Width: 346 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Parker of Windsor. Collection: British Museum. The corporation's visit to their brother in Smithfield or the hog's feast on being sworn-in. (BM 1868,0808.5922)
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