- Museum number
- 1868,0808.8344
- Title
- Object: The city glee.
- Description
-
Heading to a printed broadside. Below the title: '(As Sung at Guildhall by Aldermen Wood, Combe, and Smith.)— Tune—"we be three poor Mariners"'. The three candidates for the mayoralty on 28 Sept. 1816 stand against a background, apparently representing the wall at the back of the platform in Guildhall. In the centre behind Wood, the Mayor elect, is a door surmounted by the City arms, and flanked by the City Sword and mace, on the left and right are large boards for the result of the poll, one (left) being blank. Wood, wearing his gown and chain, stands with his right hand on his heart addressing the electors: "Gentlemen, this is a honor I have not sought but if it is your wish, I will conscientiously discharge my Office!" Combe (left) stands chapeau bras, pointing to Wood; he says: "Gentlemen tho ill health obliges me to decline the honor you have a second time intended me, yet I feel happy it will fall to one who has already shewn so much zeal, perseverance & Humanity." Christopher Smith, in a court suit with a sword, frowns gloomily. Behind him is the list of the poll: 'Lord Mayor 2221', 'Coombe 2032', 'Smith 950', '[Atk]ins 8', 'Goo[dbehe]re 5'. The verses (six) and chorus begin :
We be three furl'd Aldermen,
Newly come from the Court,
We spend our lives in feast and sport
While half the nation starves.
The third, fourth, and fifth verses are sung in turn. Wood begins:
I have served you faithfully;
Property protected; . . .
Combe: I, for years, in Parliament
All your rights defended; . . .
Smith: I am hand and glove, my boys
With men of highest station— . . .
October 1816
Hand-coloured etching with letterpress text
- Production date
- 1816
- Dimensions
-
Height: 173 millimetres (plate)
-
Height: 377 millimetres (sheet)
-
Width: 250 millimetres (plate)
-
Width: 255 millimetres (sheet)
- Curator's comments
- (Description and comment from M. Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', IX, 1949)
The Livery in Common Hall met on 28 Sept. to nominate the Mayor, to be chosen by the Court of Aldermen. By custom the next on the list was nominated; this was Smith, a Ministerialist. On a show of hands there was a large majority for the present Mayor, Wood, but Smith demanded a poll. The Livery voted for Wood till reminded that the Court could choose either of the two at the head of the poll. They then voted also for Combe (Whig M.P. for the City, Mayor 1800-1). At the close of the poll on 5 Oct. the votes were the Mayor 2,635, Combe 2,357, Smith 1,059. 'Examiner', 29 Sept., 6, 13, 20 Oct. This was the first instance of an election for a second term since that of Sir Thomas Pilkington (also an opponent of the Court) in 1691. It was the subject of the leading article in the 'Examiner' on 20 Oct. acclaiming the return as a victory, not for party, but for the people of England and Europe against selfish ill-treatment by their rulers. For Matthew Wood, the champion of the Princess of Wales, see (e.g.) Nos. 11909, 12813, &c.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1868
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1868,0808.8344
