All these “Election” plates are rich in suggestive allusions, the meaning of many of which are now lost. Hogarth in his third plate has indulged in simple allegory. Britannia’s state coach is in difficulties, to which, by the aid of the check-string fastened to her coachman’s arm, she is vainly endeavouring to draw the attention of her driver, who has laid down his reins, being otherwise engaged; the two servants on the box are absorbed in a game of cards, while one is cheating,--an allusion to the extravagant gambling propensities which, to so large and notorious an extent, disfigured society in general, and particularly (at this time) those charged with the interests of the kingdom. [Illustration: THE OXFORDSHIRE ELECTION.--CHAIRING THE MEMBERS. BY W. HOGARTH. 1754.] The fourth plate, “Chairing the Members,” exhibits the last and apparently most trying episode as regards the successful candidate; the hero of the hour--the newly returned member, elected in the True Blue, or New Interest--occupies a position which may have its honours, but obviously has its perils. In place of the actually returned members, Hogarth seems to have selected the figure of the intriguing manager of the Leicester House party, Bubb Dodington (afterwards Lord Melcombe), for the hero of the chairing scene. He is elevated only to find himself surrounded with embarrassments: the dangers of his chairing are lost sight of momentarily, for his pale face is horror-stricken by being confronted with a fair lady of fashion; she is equally affected by the rencontre, for she is swooning away--it is presumed with apprehension--in the arms of her maids. Over Bubb’s head flies a goose--a happy conception, understood to be introduced as a parody of the “Triumph of Alexander,” by Le Brun, where that grandiose artist has suggestively made an eagle hover over the head of his hero. In the Blue procession following the chairmen are all the elements of an election triumph--rough music of marrow-bones and cleavers, True Blue flags,[48] plenty of bludgeon-men, while a “block head,” wearing the buff favour of their opponents, is carried to ridicule the opposition. Another humorous episode is shown in a vixenish dame sporting a buff cockade; she has boldly broken through the ranks of the Blues, and is driving from their midst her husband, a tailor, detected in his duplicity by the virago, who is soundly cuffing her crestfallen “inferior moiety,” lately deserted to the enemy. A barrel of beer has been placed in the street for public use; a pewter measure stands beside it; the mob seems to have used the opportunity, as a would-be drinker is discovering that the cask is already emptied. In the distance, a second chaired member is skilfully indicated, of whom the shadow only is seen, projected on a wall, while he is carried along to the evident risk of limb and life, as his gesticulations imply. Among other accessories may be noted a tar-barrel, in preparation for a bonfire later on.