2-699-501 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'The Garratt Election', (c1878). 18th century scene showing the 'Garrat Elections' held at Garrat, then a small hamlet in Wandsworth, (now part of greater London). The elections were: 'A ludicrous ceremony, practiced every new parliament: it consists of a mock election of two members to represent the borough of Garret...The qualification of a voter is, having enjoyed a woman, in the open air, within that district: the candidates are commonly fellows of low humor, who dress themselves up in a ridiculous manner. As this brings a prodigious concourse of people to Wandsworth, the publicans of that place jointly contribute to the expense, which is sometimes considerable.' From Old and New London: A Narrative of Its History, Its People, And Its Places. The Southern Suburbs, Volume VI, by Edward Walford. [Cassell, Petter, Galpin & Co., London, Paris & New York, c1878]