The Gilpin whigs return to Rochester without their candidate [graphic]

"Roads diverge in three directions from a posting-inn. A signpost (left) points left. 'To London'; another (right) points 'to Rochester' and 'To Aylesbury', these roads converging in an acute angle. In the centre foreground is a round well-head. A post-chaise on the extreme left gallops off to London; three passengers wearing election favours in their hats exclaim respectively: "Dead or alive we'll have him I'll Barber him"; "Provided nevertheless, if he does not we will have his son"; "I'll Butcher him if he wont come Dam him." A horseman, who has lost his stirrups, gallops after the coach, saying, "Dam Mr G-----s & Mr R------ns too I'll see if the Eloquence of a Bishop will not bring him." A man sprawling on the ground by the inn shouts towards the horseman, saying, "Stop him hes stole the Horse". A man lounges at the door of the inn holding the reins of several saddle-horses. The inn is inscribed 'Beef Steak House'; over the door is 'John Dickins'; an election flag inscribed 'Gregory' flies from a first-floor window. On the Rochester road in the foreground a post-chaise proceeds slowly with shuttered windows, but flying two flags. Words come from two invisible occupants: "Tho Smith's the best friend I have I'll oppose him Bob for fun's sake" and "This will Kill me Quite Matt". Two horsemen follow, saying, "I'll be ashamed to go into Town Tho its allmost Dark" and "I'll say I have been to Gravesend on business." In front of the chaise a horseman with a flag gallops, saying, "As I am the Manager I must haste to the Hall & nominate him tho' I know he wont come." In the distance two riders proceed on the Aylesbury road, saying, "I'll go this way that they may not laugh at me", and "friend so will I". A man lounging by the inn says "I should like to go to supper but I suppose they that go must pay". On each post-chaise is the letter 'A'."--British Museum online catalogue