[42] The Annual Cattle Shows of the Smithfield Club were formerly held in the Baker Street Bazaar.
[43] This clever parody has reference to the attempt made by the Duke of Northumberland to evade the payment of Mr. Pitt’s Income-tax. To mitigate the severity of the pressure on persons with large families, a deduction of ten per cent. was allowed to persons who had above a certain number of children. Amongst others the wealthy Duke of Northumberland was not ashamed to avail himself of this clause.
[44] Sir Hugh Smithson married the Lady Elizabeth, daughter and only child of the Duke of Northumberland, who died in 1750. In the same year he obtained an Act of Parliament, authorizing him to assume the surname and arms of Percy. In 1767 the King created him Earl Percy and Duke of Northumberland. The hero of this ballad was the eldest son of this marriage.
[45] This alludes to Mr. Pitt’s Tax upon Hair-powder, which turned out a failure; the public declining its use rather than pay the tax. Those who continued it were called “guinea-pigs,” the tax being a guinea per head.
[46] Sir Robert Peel.
[47] Chevy.—To rudely harass or brutally bait.
[48] Sir Stafford Northcote.
[49] Lord Randolph Churchill.
[50] Sir Michael Hicks Beach.
[51] Sir Redvers Buller.