Political Frankensteins.

John Doyle (pseud HB)

Political Frankensteins.

London, T McLean, Jan 18^th 1831

Lithograph

Original hand colouring

285 x 380 mm

£150

Below the title: ‘Alarmed at the Progress of a Giant of their own Creation’. A narrow stream represents the Irish Channel; on its right Anglesey and Stanley attempt to restrain a gigantic O’Connell from walking forwards, by a large document headed ‘PROCLAMATION | Anglesey | Whereas’, which they press against him. O’Connell silently holds up a paper, ‘Repeal of the Union’; in his left hand he holds ‘Agitation’ within the letter of the Law. (He is a monster produced by human machinations.) Anglesey: ‘He walks thro’ it with the greatest ease’. Stanley: ‘This is even worse than being Hunted out of Preston’ [see BM Satires No. 16539]. Plunket, kilting up his Chancellor’s gown to put his hand in his pocket, stands close behind Anglesey; he says: ‘Never mind I have got another ready made in my pocket’. On the left of the water stand Grey and Althorp; the former, clenching his fist, says: ‘He must be stopped at all Hazards’; the latter drops a paper: ‘Bill to prohibit the growth of Tobacco in Ireland’. Peel claps Grey on the shoulder, saying, ‘That’s right!’ Brougham, on the extreme left, in barrister’s wig and gown, says: ‘At all hazards!—I dont like the phrase it implies danger!!’ Wellington, behind, walks to the left, saying, ‘Good Generalship may be shewn in a well timed retreat’. Two speeches float from the left margin: ‘It must be admitted that we have got business enough in hand; You may cheer people on Mr P—, to combat this monstrous antagonist which you yourself have been mainly instrumental in rearing to his present proportions when you might have stopped his growth with a few yards of silk!’