To the Rt. Worshipful John Smoak Esqr. &c. &c., whose wisdom & prudence has so often saved the city from fire & destruction by his great sagacity in discovering plots, this print of Hunting a mare is humbly presented to his L-d-p on his retiring from office, "good riddance" &c.Cruikshank, George, 1792-1878, printmaker[15 October 1819]eng"A companion plate to British Museum Satires No. 13272. An ass, with the terrified profile of John Atkins inset in its head, gallops away from Henry Hunt and a crowd of jeering and delighted followers. The animal wears a cap with long twin peaks terminating in bells, a (double) fool's cap adjusted to ass's ears. A cloak marked with the City Arms streams from his shoulders; the mayoral chain has fallen to the ground. To his tail is tied a large pot from which flames issue; seven daggers, dripping blood, are fastened to the cord, and a puppy and a goose are tied to the pot. More flames issue from the creature's rump, covered with repetitions of the word 'Plots'. From the ass's mouth rise the words: "I smell a plot!" Hunt, wearing a hunting-cap, flourishes a huntsman's whip, and shouts "Fire! Fire!" The foremost and smallest of his followers, evidently Samuel Waddington, brandishes a scourge with three lashes inscribed: 'a Saddle for the Mare'; 'a Bridle for the Ass'; and 'a rod for the Fool's back'; the next man is about to hurl a stone; they shout "Fire Fire!" and "Fire Murder." At their feet, besides daggers and a bonnet rouge, is a paper: 'Little Waddingtons Phamphlets'. Dead rats, a cat, and other missiles fly through the air from the pursuers to the pursued. In the foreground is a scroll: 'London Preserved or the Plot discoverd a Farce Principal Character Lord Smoak Jack with fire Bloody Daggers &c.' By the ass's head is a large sign-post: 'Another Plot by *G--d!!!! The L--d M--r has just discovered that during the Trials of Carlisle the Court is to be taken possession of by a band of Ruffians, Armed with Bloody Daggers!!!-- six hundred extra Constables have been sworn in accordingly-- * Smoak Jacks favorite Oath, first brought into public notice in the Common Hall, holden on the Subject of the Corn Bill-- Oh! Johnny Atkins! Johnny Atkins Oh!" [Cf. British Museum Satires No. 13272.]"--British Museum online catalogueTitle etched below image; the letters "yor" in "mayor" are scored through and the letters "re" inserted with a caret above line, forming the word "mare".Sheet trimmed within plate mark on top edge.Plate numbered "370" in upper right corner.