Just A'goin' to Begin! singing reviewing volunteers on the Artillery

reviewing volunteers on the Artillery Ground

The Royal Hospital with formal gardens and walkways leading down to the River Thames where boats pass up and down

A group of figures stands in the courtyard in front of the hospital

women and children armed with pea shooters

with women of fashion wearing enormous hoop skirts with pulley operated lifting devices

Just A'goin' to Begin! singing reviewing volunteers on the Artillery'Just A'goin' to Begin!', 1887. WH Smith as a fairground showman, invites the public to his show; the principal parliamentary figures are there, with Charles Parnell dressed as a bandit and Benjamin Disraeli taking the money; behind the platform panels show The Insatiable Irish Growley Wowly, Randolph the Man Sphinx and the Bulgarian Boojum.