The Sheffield election of 1868: (left) two men play cards and drink in a warm pub; (right) two women (one with a baby) beg and cower in a snowy street. Transfer lithograph, 1868.

The barman in the pub is the industrialist and philanthropist Anthony John Mundella, as indicated by the notice behind the bar "A.J. Mundela [sic] licensed retailer of ale beer and porter". Mundella was elected Liberal member of parliament for Sheffield at the election in 1868. Two other notices behind the bar say "Library 1d per week" and "Knives forks and plates lent here 1½ per week"