The Election Race between Jack True Whig and Sam Block, William Dent, 1788

Lord john townshend (left), seated on a fox (c. J. Fox), distances lord hood, seated on a goose, in a race 'to st stephens' (the words on a signpost on the extreme left). On the right the portico of st. Paul's, covent garden, is indicated, with the hustings and a shouting crowd, waving hats with election favours. Between and behind the two candidates runs (right to left) george hanger holding up on a pole an enormous wig to which is attached a banner inscribed 'this is the true whig'; he says, "no court cacklers - jack for ever", and brandishes his bludgeon (cf. Bmsat 6924), which is inscribed 'club law'. Both he and townshend's fox trample on the prostrate bodies of geese; other dead geese lie on the ground. These represent the electors of westminster, see bmsat 5843, &c. Behind hanger walks a sailor brandishing a club inscribed 'to preserve the peace'; he shouts "the navy & hood", and carries on a pole a smaller and more fashionable wig, with a banner inscribed 'this is the true whig'. Townshend's fox turns his head to lick his rider's hands; his enormous tail floats behind him, reaching the head of hood's goose. Hood wears naval uniform; the reins which he holds are inscribed 'treasury', indicating (correctly) that his candidature was (in part) financed by the treasury. See bmsat 7339, &c. 18 july 1788 etching. Date: 1788. Dimensions: Height: 198 mm; Width: 276 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Charles James Fox. Collection: British Museum. The Election Race between Jack True Whig and Sam Block (BM 1868,0808.5756)