Gillray, James (1756 – 1815) – ‘Election Candidates; – or – the Republican Goose at the Top of the Pol(l)e’.

'Election Candidates; - or - the Republican Goose at the Top of the Pol(l)e'. Hand coloured etching. 'Pubd May 20th. 1807 - by H Humphrey 27 St. James's Street'. The scene is a hustings in Covent Garden for the Westminster Election of 1807. Candidates climb the election pole with Burdett (the Goose) at the top, supported by the pitchfork of Horne Tooke who has devil's wings labelled 'Deceit' and 'Sedition'. Burdett hisses at the 'Sun of the Constitution'. The candidates below him are Cochrane, holding a bludgeon inscribed 'Reform', Elliott wrapped in a beer barrel, Sheridan, in his Harlequin costume, and Paull, who has fallen from the pole. Below the pole are Burdett's supporters dressed as characters of the mob; Windham, a sweep, has 'Burdett & Reformation' on his shovel. Temple, Howick and Greville are butchers with cleavers inscribed 'Burdett & Popery', 'Burdett & Revenge' and 'Burdett and Opposition'. 14.25x10 inches.