1-645-477 - The London Archives (City of London)/Heritage Images

'Wit's last stake...', 1784. Scene in a poor district of Westminster (Peter Street). The Duchess of Devonshire is canvassing a cobbler. She is supported on Charles James Fox's knee. Fox is giving his right hand to a ragged man, to whom Sam House is holding up a tankard. The duchess was a prominent campaigner on Fox's behalf during the general election of 1784. House was a well-known innkeeper who was also a committed supporter of Fox.