The Dutchess canvassing for her favourite member, William Dent, 1784

The duchess of devonshire about to kiss a short fat butcher; one arm is round his neck, her right hand under his apron. She says, "i'll leave no stone unturned to serve the cause"; he answers, "then you shall have my plumper - but what says your calf - mayhap, he's jealous". She wears a hat trimmed with a 'fox' favour and four fox's brushes inscribed respectively, 'fox', 'fox', 'love', and 'liberty'. Her skirt is festooned up with fox favours and brushes inscribed 'fox', showing her legs. A little chimney-sweeper lies on the ground looking under her petticoats and saying, "sweep, sweep". A dog sniffs at her leg. The butcher has stuck into his girdle a paper inscribed 'leg of mutton 10 l. [cf. 'hint to the canvassing duchesses and countesses - when these ladies may again give, as it can be proved they have given, five guineas for a bundle of broccoli, eight guineas for a leg of mutton &c. &c. The tradesman may certainly take the money with a safe. Conscience, if he votes on the other side; and this has already been done in three instances in westminster. ' newspaper paragraph quoted, 'westminster election', p. 243. ] clare mt [market]'. Behind him and on the extreme right is a placard on a pole, inscribed 'cockspur street'. Behind the duchess is a shorter lady holding up a purse inscribed 'bett no bribe'. ['we are informed. That the means used by a certain canvassing d------s is, to lay ten guineas against one, that they do not, or dare not vote for her 'dear charley. . ' 'ibid. ', p. 250. ] on the extreme left stands lord surrey holding in his right hand a beer mug inscribed 'surry' and talking to a chimney-sweeper whose hand he holds, saying, "come and breakfast with me, and vote for charly - it will be the making of us all if he gets in - he'll do such things - he'll reduce the price of gin and porter". The ragged sweep answers, "will he, then dam'me, tho' i live but in a hogstye, i'll give him a plumper - fox for ever - ". 13 april 1784 etching. Date: 1784. Dimensions: Height: 225 mm; Width: 295 mm (trimmed). Medium: paper. Depicted People: Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire. Collection: British Museum. The Dutchess canvassing for her favourite member (BM 1868,0808.5245)