File:Master Billy's procession to Grocers Hall. (BM 1868,0808.5173).jpg

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Master Billy's procession to Grocers Hall.   (Wikidata search (Cirrus search) Wikidata query (SPARQL)  Create new Wikidata item based on this file)
Artist

Print made by: Thomas Rowlandson

Published by: William Humphrey
Title
Master Billy's procession to Grocers Hall.
Description
English: A burlesque representation of Pitt's procession to the City on 28 Feb. to dine with the Grocers' Company and receive the freedom of the City. The procession is headed by a band of musicians (left), by the 'Gold Box' carried on a pole (voted to Feb. 1784 but not presented till 5 Feb. 1785), and by banners. Close to a banner inscribed 'No 45' capers Wilkes, scattering coins with both hands. On the three other banners are the words 'Pitt and Prerogative' [the actual banner was 'Pitt and the Constitution']; 'Youth a most enormous crime'; and emblems of the Grocers' Company, including two sugar-loaves.


The coaches, drawn by the populace, are here represented by three small wheeled chairs such as were used for children and invalids. In the first is 'Sir Wattey', drawn by satyrs; he is Sir Watkin Lewes, alderman and M.P. for the City, see vol. v and index. Both he and Wilkes took a prominent part in the reception of Pitt, both had opposed the India Bill and supported Pitt in the House of Commons. He is followed by Pitt as 'Master Billy' seated jauntily on the back of his chair, his hands on his hips; a man at his feet holding a banner inscribed 'Kings Men'. His chair is followed by men with long staves. Last comes 'Sir Barney'; his projecting sword appears to have tripped up two of the rabble. He is Sir Barnard Turner, Alderman and Sheriff, who had taken a leading part in restoring order after the Gordon Riots. He was knighted (16 Jan. 1784) for moving the City Address to the king. 'Westminster Magazine', 1784, p. 118.
The crowd is drawn with much freedom and spirit, some wave hats, some scramble for coins; hats fly in the air with the words 'Pitt and Plumb Pudding for ever Huzza!' A man on the extreme right shouts "King for ever".
Behind the procession are the houses of a street leading to the gate of 'Grocers Hall' (left), probably representing Cheapside or the Poultry (although access to the Hall was through Grocers' Alley). Spectators lean from the windows of the houses. The large corner house has a wide shop-window, surmounted by the Royal Arms and the words 'Tommy Plumb Grocer to his Majesty'. From one of its windows a spectator says, "O what a Charming Youth". Behind Pitt is a shop inscribed 'Toy Shop Wax Work'. On the extreme right is a large inn with bay-windows whose sign is a large half length, portrait of Chatham in profile to the left, inscribed 'Lord Chatham', and below, 'Neat Wines'. A figure leaning from one of its windows says, "Very like his Father". 8 March 1784


Etching
Depicted people Associated with: William Pitt the Elder, 1st Earl of Chatham
Date 1784
date QS:P571,+1784-00-00T00:00:00Z/9
Medium paper
Dimensions
Height: 232 millimetres (cropped)
Width: 336 millimetres (cropped)
institution QS:P195,Q6373
Current location
Prints and Drawings
Accession number
1868,0808.5173
Notes

(Description and comment from M.Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', VI, 1938) The procession is described at length in the newspapers, e.g. 'Morning Post', 1 and 2 March. It is called 'the grandest procession of the kind since the year 1761 when Mr Pitt's illustrious Father ... received the same marks of distinction from the Citizens of London'. See also BMSat 6471, 6538, 6807, 6813. On his return to Berkeley Square Pitt was attacked by a mob opposite Brooks's, see BMSat 6453, &c. For Pitt as Chatham's son cf. BMSat 5984. Reissued, 'Westminster Election', p. 83.

Grego, 'Rowlandson', i. 119-20 (reproduction). Reproduced, Grego, 'Hist. of Parliamentary Elections', 1892, p. 264.
Source/Photographer https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1868-0808-5173
Permission
(Reusing this file)		 © The Trustees of the British Museum, released as CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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