Gillray, James (1756 – 1815) – ‘Middlesex-Election. 1804. – “a Long-Pull, a Strong-Pull, and a Pull-all-Together”‘.

'Middlesex-Election. 1804. - "a Long-Pull, a Strong-Pull, and a Pull-all-Together"'. Hand coloured etching. Inscribed with the names of the people depicted in an early nineteenth century hand. 'Publish'd Augt 7th 1804. by H. Humphrey, 27, St James's Street.' This depicts an episode in the back-and-forth contest between the Mainwarings and Francis Burdett. William Mainwaring had been defeated by Burdett in 1802 but the election was declared void in 1804 and his son George Mainwaring stood in his father's place. George was elected but the result was reversed in favour of Burdett in 1805 and then back in favour of George in 1806... The radical candidate Burdett is being drawn to a hustings, his carriage is emblazoned with 'Egalite', 'The Torch of Liberty' and 'Plenty' (represented by a tankard with a profile of Napoleon on it). Sheridan, Erskine and Tierney stand on the back of the carriage. Sheridan is holding a banner showing Pitt whipping Britannia, Erskine holds a banner with the republican slogan 'The Good-Old Cause', Tierney holds a pole with a key tied to it and a banner reading 'No Bastille'. Behind them are a group of identifiable supporters dressed as butchers wielding their knives. The carriage is driven by Horne Tooke and pulled by Fox (a chimney-sweep), Norfolk (in striped shirt and apron), Derby (a jockey), Lansdowne, Bedford (a farmer), Carlisle (a tailor) and others. At the far left of the composition is a post from which a rat labelled 'No Ministerial Rats' is hanging. In the background, under cover, Mainwaring makes a speech. To the right a pub called 'The Constitution' with posters in support of Mainwaring is rushed by a mob who throw objects at the pub's sign. 20x13.75 inches.