“O’Connell (unrecognizable) marches jauntily to a door on the extreme right, over which is a board inscribed ‘St Ste[phens] To Trespassers Men-Traps–Constantly Set–Beware’; he is followed by an Irish mob, yelling and flourishing shillelaghs. He wears barrister’s wig and gown with a mitre-shaped cap decorated with a cross, shamrock, and bells (emblem of folly). Under his right arm is a large book inscribed ‘1 & 2’; his left hand rests on a stout stick. His gown is held up by a ragamuffin and the procession is headed by a bloated priest who holds up on a bludgeon a placard: ‘Unconditional Emancipation O C For Ever’; this is surmounted with shamrock. The crowd are evidently from St. Giles and similar Irish slums in London; two carry hods, emblem of the Irish builder’s labourer or hodman. On the extreme left in the foreground is an Irish basket-woman, holding her basket, smoking a short pipe; she shouts ‘Stop wid ye now–are ye goin to lave the ladies behind–ye blackguards.’ She is barefooted, very ragged, and wears a soldier’s jacket (cf. British Museum Satires No. 15721). See British Museum Satires No. 15759, &c.”–British Museum online catalogue.
- Printmaker: Heath, William, 1795-1840, printmaker.
- Title: The M.P. marching at the head of his 300 jontlemen!!! [graphic] / [man with umbrella] Esqr.
- Publication: [London] : Pub. by T. McLean, 26 Haymarket …, [May 1829?]
829.05.00.11+
Acquired June 2024
