Procession of the cod company from St. Giles's to Billings Gate [graphic]

"Seven enormously fat and brawny Irishwomen approach (right to left) the quayside at Billingsgate, below which are fishing-smacks. All carry baskets on their heads, two smoke pipes. An eighth woman, also smoking, sits on a low stool on the extreme left, with cod and lobsters spread out for sale. In the background (right) an open pent-house attached to the large houses flanking the dock is filled by tiny figures with baskets of fish; a man ascends a ladder towards it from the water with a basket on his head. One of the pent-house stalls is placarded 'Salt Cod Bar . . Ling Pilcha[rds]'. In the background larger vessels lie at anchor against buildings on the south side of the Thames."--British Museum online catalogue