Pitt and the opposition fight for the loaves and fishes of office; these are represented by three loaves and two fishes on a pole behind and between the two sets of combatants. Pitt (left) and fox (right) face each other with basket-hilted single-sticks. Behind pitt is pepper arden, saying, "zounds! at him again, billy, bang him over his sconce with your crab- d-mn it, the sinking-fund will support you" behind arden is a very small man, also armed with a single-stick. His breeches-pocket is inscribed 'agency'; from it protrudes a paper, 'defence of governor hast[ings]', showing that he is major john scott, m. P. For west looe, the agent of hastings. Fox is tall and burly, he and his two supporters, north and burke, look much more than a match for pitt, arden, and scott. Burke, holding a single-stick, says: "dont spare, charley, peg him about the noddle with your shillany - and i'll have a touch with the little major - i have a tough bit of bamboo, and dam'me i'll macartney him". 23 january 1786
etching with hand-colouring. Date: 1786. Dimensions: Height: 248 mm; Width: 350 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Richard Pepper Arden, 1st Baron of Alvanley. Collection: British Museum. Parliamentary Meeting 1786 (BM 1868,0808.5469)
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