Pl. 3. The polling

Hogarth, William, 1697-1764 · (c) February 20, 1758

A rural scene with a polling booth where ailing reserve voters are being brought to vote and the able-bodied are amusing themselves with a drawing of one of the candidates, an execution broadside and a gin bottle; in the middle ground a coach bearing the sign of the Union Flag has collapsed, but its female passenger (Britannia) is unable to gain the attention of her coachmen who are absorbed in a card game; beyond, a bridge across a river is crowded with a riotous procession.