| Description | Handcoloured etching of the Piazza in Covent Garden during the Westminster Election of 1818. A large crowd in Covent Garden is gathered between the market and the hustings, which have been erected in front of the portico of St Paul's Church. A number of banners are raised by the crowd, proclaiming support for the candidates or bearing slogans such as 'Universal Suffrage'. 'Magna Charta' and 'Hold to the Law'. In the foreground, a man holds a placard with the results of the last day's poll. In the foreground, street traders, market porters and a milkmaid are depicted among the crowd. The caption, given in English and in French, reads: 'Representation of the Election of Members of Parliament for Westminster, 1818'. Engraved by Robert Havell & Son from a drawing by George Scharf. |