Asset number
581855001
Description
Above the design, as an alternative title: 'The Difference between Law and Justice!!' A corner of the Mansion House forms the background; the Lord Mayor, Atkins (left), stands on an exterior stair, using the City Sword to prod the posterior of a visitor who takes a flying leap over a parapet, propelled by the Mayor's foot. The base of the design is formed by the heads and shoulders of six grinning Mansion House footmen, wearing bag-wigs and laced liveries, who hold up a blanket to catch the falling man. On the wall below the Mayor is a placard: 'Mansion House—Atkins Mayor Wanted immediately some people of Temparate Conduct to manage the affairs of the City'. The Mayor, in profile to the right and in violent action, his gown flying out behind him, exclaims: "Take that!—It is all you shall get here whilst I am Master of the house! & to save us the trouble of Turning you out every day. I'll lock up the Gates and Dine at a Cook Shop!—If people want a Magistrate, let 'em go to Guildhall—I'll not be insulted by you or any of your d—d Jacobin party that clamour for Reform and always oppose the Government!!" Behind him stands Thomas Williams, Deputy-Alderman of Walbrook Ward, holding an evenly balanced pair of scales, 'made by Depy Williams Scalemaker Cannon St'; one side is behind the Mayor, the other contains a packet of 'Accts'. He says: "I will not produce the accounts of the Ward—I have Balanced them according to my own Scale and have Weighed the consequences of my resolution!" The ejected man has dropped a 'Botheration Bag', from which legal documents are falling; he is surrounded by 'Writs' and other papers, four being inscribed respectively: 'Petition to the Court of Aldermen from ye Ward of Walbrook complaining of an improper influence exercised by ye Lord Mayr in Electing the members—'; 'Indictment against Depy Williams for not producing ye accounts of the Ward!'; 'Four Actions agt the Lord Mayor and his servants for Assaults!!'; 'Atkins Bail for Depy Williams'. He says: "Instead of Dinner & good Wine I'm treated worse than common Swine! And "vi et armis" put to flight In trying to enforce my right— But Red Tape, Sealing Wax, & Writs Shall fright the rascals into fits An Ex Officio Information Shall give 'em cause for new Vexation And should the "Capias respondendum" And such like remedies not mend 'em I'll file long Bills in Chancery And, Teaze the Rogues eternally!!" January 1819 Hand-coloured etching
© The Trustees of the British Museum
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