Eight men sit round a table smoking and drinking; they are evidently government contractors; the chairman, in the centre of the farther side of the table, wears the apron, steel, and over-sleeves of a butcher, and appears to be one rellish. On the table, before each, is a money-bag inscribed '1000'. Brook watson, on the extreme left, can be identified from his wooden leg; he drinks, saying, "come heres success to monopoly this is a fine rellish". The others (left to right) say: "gentlemen i propose that our worthy host shall have the first refusal of all our contracts". The next man silently assents. Rellish says, "gentlemen the weight of your obligations is more than i can bear". The man on his left says, "aye aye never mind it the young boxing butcher can help you". His neighbour says, "agreed". The next says, "i am for consolidating all the contracts into one & let him have that one". A handsome and well-dressed man seated on the extreme right facing watson, is silent; a black servant, in livery, stands behind his chair holding a punch-bowl; he says, "my massy take care he no found out like massy hollond & come to de workhouse like his cozens". In the foreground lies a large dog, his collar inscribed '[r]ellish'. On the table, besides decanters, punch-bowls, and glasses, are tobacco-pipes and papers of tobacco. On the wall, which forms a background, are three pictures spaced between four oval mirrors in ornate frames: in the centre is one of large buildings resembling mills or factories inscribed 'red-houses'; behind is a windmill. The others are a pig (right) and a misshapen cow (left), each inscribed 'only fit for contracts'. The floor is carpeted. June 1791. Hand-coloured etching. Date: 1791. Dimensions: Height: 249 mm; Width: 347 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Edward Hollond. Collection: British Museum. The c-m-rs rellish at greasy hall (BM 1868,0808.6076)
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