CHAPTER XIV.CHARACTERISTICS OF ELECTIONEERING, 1833 TO 1857.

“Away went Gilpin, neck or naught,Away went hat and wig,He little dream’d when he set out,Of running such a rig.”

William IV. is, of course, the Gilpin of the situation; the bottles slung to his side are ginger-beer ones—“Rotunda Pop” and “Birmingham Froth;” the “Grey” horse is running away with the king at a dashing pace, and the crown is dislodged in the scuffle. John Bull, the pike-keeper, has thrown open his gate, and is highly excited at the sport: “Go it, my lads, never mind the turnpike!” Burdett is enjoying the fun, but opines, “The Grey is evidently running away with him.” Hume, Hunt, O’Connell, Cobbett, and others are following on horseback in the king’s wake. One cries, “Make way, make way; we’ve a great stake depending on it.” The Irish Repealer is urging on the pace, “Go along, never mind the geese and old women.”The “geese” wear coronets, to symbolize the scared peers scattered by the onslaught; and the “old apple woman” capsized in the rush is old Eldon, the Tory ex-chancellor; Croker is a “croaking” raven. The sign of the inn is changed to a new version of the Crown up in the oak tree, and the balcony is filled with the late ministers, travestied as the ladies of the Gilpin party. Wellington is distressed beyond measure at this alarming spectacle, and is appealing to John Bull: “Good Mr. Gatekeeper, stop him; he doesn’t know where he is going!” Sir Robert Peel exclaims, “Oh, John Gilpin! John Gilpin! where are you going? Don’t you know your old friends?” Goulburn is declaring, “He must have lost his senses to ride at such a rate!”

Wellington.Sir. R. Peel.Goulburn.J. Hume.Dan O’Connell.Peers as Geese.The King on the “Grey.”Lord Eldon.Sir Francis Burdett.JOHN GILPIN. MAY 13, 1831. BY J. DOYLE (HB).[Page 366.

JOHN GILPIN. MAY 13, 1831. BY J. DOYLE (HB).

[Page 366.

“THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL.” MAY 26, 1831.[Page 367.King (William IV.).Loq.“‘ReformBill!’ Can that mean me?”

“THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL.” MAY 26, 1831.

[Page 367.

King (William IV.).Loq.“‘ReformBill!’ Can that mean me?”

Another admirable version, the felicity of which has been much appreciated, is entitled “The Handwriting on the Wall” (May 26, 1831). The King, taking his constitutional stroll in the Park, has come upon the inscription, in huge white letters, painted on the wall, “Reform Bill!” William IV., shading his eyes with his hand, is peering at this legend,69exclaiming “‘ReformBill!’ Can that mean me?”

The tendencies of the time were considered fraught with danger; the measures of reform about to be experimentally tested would, it was hinted, produce a political revolution—if not a total subversion of everything; Lord Grey, the Mephistopheles of the situation, as viewed through Doyle’s “Conservative Magnifiers,” occupied an unenviable prominence, and might expect a day of terrible retribution. “Brissot’s Ghost” (May 30, 1831) is the only hint which could be offered to the innovating statesman. The ghastly figure of Brissot, with his decapitated head under his arm, is disclosed to the premier as a startling vision, with a significant warning, drawn from his fatal revolutionary experience:—

“To lead the mob, ‘mid faction’s stormI rode my hobby-horse—Reform,And had it all my own way.Till other levellers ruled the mob,And then I lost my seat and nob,Take warning, my Lord Grey.”

“Macbeth,” with the famous incantation scene, is impressed into the service of parody to sum up the anticipated state of affairs before the meeting of the House; “The Tricolored Witches” (June 6, 1831):—

“Black spirits and white,Yellow spirits and Grey,Mingle, mingle, mingle,You that mingle may.”

There are five witches, wearing Republican red caps, and armed with besoms of destructiveness, assembled round the cauldron.

The three chief witches are Lords Grey, Durham (“Yellow Lambton”), and Brougham. As the ingredients are cast into the blaze, fed by Durham coal, Grey is singing the charm:—

“Forty years of toil and troubleLike a hell-broth now shall bubble.When the pot begins to boil,Sons and daughters seize the spoil.Double, double, toil and trouble,Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.”

Lord Brougham takes up the invocation:—

“Freeman’s votes, and Grants by Charter.First-born rights in ev’ry quarter,Law and Justice, Church and King,These the glorious spoils I bring.”

Lord Durham has his allotted share:—

“Saving-Banks, the Funds, and Rent,Insurances and money lent,Orphans’ Claims, and widows’ pittance,Throw them in, to make a quittance.”

Lords Althorp and Russell are acting as the chorus:—

“Round about the cauldron go,In the Constitution throw.”

The king is unexpectedly surprising the incantation. He is dumbfounded; the charm is already active, and away flies his crown. He is girt with a scarf, “Repentance,” and apostrophizes his reform friends:—

“Filthy Hags!Infected be the air whereon they ride,And damn’d all those that trust them.”

“ATaleof a Tub—and the Moral of theTail!” (June 13, 1831) is another view of the critical juncture, as it was then assumed to be. The old constitutional ship is left for the whale-boat. The monster is in such dangerous proximity that a dash from its tail—while splashing “popular spray” over its would-be captors—threatens a fatal catastrophe. Lord Althorp has thrown over a pretty considerable tub, “Vested Interests and Chartered Rights;” “There,” he is made to exclaim, “amiable monster! In order to please you, we have thrown you all! Should you require more, you must only take ourselves.” Lord Grey is steering; Lords Brougham, Holland, and Durham have the oars. The king, wearing his naval uniform, is trying to keep the crown from falling overboard; he is evidently apprehensive of the worst: “But why approach so near the tail—the good-natured monster may, without meaning any harm, upset us all in one of his gambols!” The man at the helm is reassuring his chief: “My reasons for steering are pretty plain, tho’ fortunately for me some people don’t see them. It is by flattering the tail, that I command the head!” Lord Brougham, “the schoolmaster abroad,” is imparting this useful piece of knowledge: “It has been discovered in the march of Intellect, that theTailoften outstrips theHead!” Wellington and Peel have stuck to the ship; the latter is still of opinion that he ought to have made an effort to retain his post:“Yet I can’t but think we might have succeeded in amusing it for a long time with a very smallKeg.” Wellington is less confident: “I tell you, Bob, the Monster is not to be satisfied!”

Other allusions of a seasonable character were also produced by Doyle, apropos of the tendency of the epoch. One of the best is selected among many, “Varnishing—a Sign (ofthe Times)” (June 1, 1831). The sign of the King’s Head is undergoing renovation; Lord Brougham, in his chancellor’s robes, is mounted on a ladder, and employed in touching up the royal countenance with a pot of varnish. “I think that, considering I was not bred to the trade, I am not a bad hand at bedaubing a King. After all, to produce effect, I find there is nothing like plenty of varnish.” Lord Grey, from an open window, is surveying with marked satisfaction his colleague’s work. “Canning used to talk about a Red Lion; but I say that, in our reforming times, there is no such sign for a (re) publican as a King’s Head, although a Star and Garter is not to be despised!”

The somewhat well-worn subject of the hustings is also treated pictorially amongst the cartoons which appeared during the elections. One version is entitled, “TheRivalMount-O’-Bankes; or, the Dorsetshire Juggler” (May 25, 1831). The scene of the hustings is again travestied as a fair. “Bankes and Co.’s Old-Established Booth” is left quite deserted; a pillar of the Church is the solitary patron. “If our friends don’t come up faster, we may shut up shop,” says the showman; while his assistant is declaring, in allusion to the success of the rival show, “This Juggler is juggling all our customers away from us!” The “Nonpareil Juggler” has, in fact, monopolized all the custom. Lord Grey is the showman; he is holding forth his programme to the numerous patrons: “The Bill, the whole Bill, and nothing but the Bill of the Performance of the Nonpareil Calcraft.” The showman, “Grey, Licensed Dealer in Curiosities,” is pointing to a glowing picture ofthe entertainment to be seen within—Calcraft, in the very act of swallowing a lengthy speech dead against the principles of the reform party as represented by Lord Grey; he is described as “Lately exhibited in the metropolis by Monsieur Villainton, with unheard-of success.” The customers are thus exhorted:—

King William IV.Lord Brougham.Lord Grey.VARNISHING—A SIGN (OF “THE TIMES”). JUNE 1, 1831. BY J. DOYLE (HB).[Page 370.

VARNISHING—A SIGN (OF “THE TIMES”). JUNE 1, 1831. BY J. DOYLE (HB).

[Page 370.

THE RIVAL MOUNT-O’-Bankes;OR, THE DORSETSHIRE JUGGLER. MAY 25, 1831. BY J. DOYLE (HB).[Page 371.

THE RIVAL MOUNT-O’-Bankes;OR, THE DORSETSHIRE JUGGLER. MAY 25, 1831. BY J. DOYLE (HB).

[Page 371.

“Valk up, gemmen, valk up! Here you may see the most wonderful Juggler,who eats his own words!not at all in the usual way practised by pretenders to the ‘Craft, and which is now become almost as common a trick as swallowing the sword, but in a manner the most extraordinary and unparalleled! He likewise plays off many strange antics, quite peculiar to himself and most curious and amusing to behold. I aver, gemmen, I challenge the universal world to produce such a show as this here Juggler makes of himself!”

The crowds are flowing in,—says one, “I am tired of Bankes’s Booth, besides, thispromisesmore amusement;” and another, “I like novelty, so here goes.”70

Doyle has given a clever embodiment of a current political situation, borrowed from the illustrious humourist, his predecessor: “LINEal Descent of the Crown.” See Hogarth’s works, “Four Prints of an Election” (June 23, 1832). A modernized version of the sign of the “Crown” is dependent from a beam; Lord Grey, with his face to the building, is seated upon that portion of the support which he is hacking lustily with a sickle, marked “Bill.” Cobbett, Hume, and O’Connell are tugging away at the rope which is to accomplish the downfall. The former exclaims, “If we act in union, we’ll soon bring it to our own level.” Hunt remarks, “I fear his exalted seat will turn his head.” O’Connell is encouraging the dangerous exertions of the Reform chief: “Ply the Bill well there, Grey, and it will soon be all down.”

A reference to the possible effects of changed politics upon the suffrages of constituencies is slyly conveyed byHB’s sketch of “The Cast-off Cloak.” Sir John Hobhouse is standing at the entrance of the War Office; he has removed the red-lined cloak of “Radicalism,” which he is thrusting on his old colleague, Sir Francis Burdett: “Pray relieve me of this, Burdett. I shall find it a great incumbrance in awarmplace like this.” The reply of the veteran Sir Francis is more politic: “Ay, but don’t forget that you have an engagement in Covent Garden.71You may find the atmosphere rathercoolin that quarter.” Burdett’s own political convictions were to undergo as sudden a transmutation, as HB has illustrated a few years later.

As it was felt by the Conservative party that the king, by whose instrumentality the important measure of reform was alone carried, was bound on an enterprise of which the results were doubtful, and, according to their apprehensions, desperate, they tenaciously fought for the inviolability of corruption.

“With nigh two hundred Tories bold,All men of the old light,Who knew full well, but would not own,They were not in the right.

“And long before this time they hadBeen lab’ring in vain,And fencing round their borough townsThat must be sieged and ta’en.”

(New Chevy Chase.)

According to Doyle’s new version of “Mazeppa” (August 7, 1832), the king is bound and tied to “Reform,” represented as “the wild horse of the steppes,” surrounded by wolves, some of whom bear Tory visages, among which the face of the Duke of Wellington is easily identified. Horse and rider are overleaping the barrier of “Vested Interests,” while beneath the courser rushes the “Revolutionary Torrent,” whose volume is increasing. The success of this spirited version induced the designer topublish a second plate (September 25th), presenting the sequel. It is evident in this—which exhibits the wild horse, and Mazeppa, his rider, extended on the plains, but apparently uninjured—that the threatening vortex of the “Revolutionary Torrent” has been passed, and neither has been swamped; but the king is landed in the midst of the herd of wild steeds, weirdly careering round the prostrate pair are the rest of the tribe, on whose heads appear the faces of the leading advocates of reform—Lord Brougham, Lord Grey, Duke of Richmond, Lord John Russell, Lord Althorp, Sir James Graham, etc.

MAZEPPA—“AGAIN HE URGES ON HIS WILD CAREER.” AUG. 7, 1832. BY J. DOYLE (HB).[Page 372.“Freemen’s votes and grants by Charter,First-born rights in every quarter,Law and Justice, Church and King,These the glorious spoils I bring.”

MAZEPPA—“AGAIN HE URGES ON HIS WILD CAREER.” AUG. 7, 1832. BY J. DOYLE (HB).

[Page 372.

“Freemen’s votes and grants by Charter,First-born rights in every quarter,Law and Justice, Church and King,These the glorious spoils I bring.”

The new parliament only sat from June 14, 1831, to December 3, 1832. Towards the close of the session (November 22, 1832) it was hinted that ministers were not altogether too happy, and they had flown to stimulants to promote a fictitious confidence. “Ministers and (in) their Cups!” is the title; each has a presentation gold cup in his hand, and a punch-bowl is in the centre of the table. The Ministers are half-seas-over; Grey is singing “Here’s Comfort when we Fret;” Russell is joining in the chorus. Althorp declares, “I am quite overpowered;” and Brougham, who has further been presented with a gold toddy-ladle, is crying, “Ah, this is now the greatest consolation we have left. I wish some one would give poor Palmy a cup!”

John Doyle, as a Tory satirist, was eagerly anticipating indications of change in the popular sentiments. His warnings on the Reform Bill had fallen unheeded, and the Whig party was still strong in power. HB ventured on the hint that the Tories were only temporarily in disfavour, and that they had but to adapt themselves to the times and resume office. The “Waits” (January, 1833) gives an ingenious and novel view of political matters. John Bull, in dressing-gown and double night-cap, is leaning out of his first-floor window in critical contemplation of the minstrels’ efforts to please his ear. The Duke of Wellington, with the smallest of fiddles, has the leadership of “the waits.” Lord Ellenborough (trombone), Sir Robert Peel (flute), and Lord Aberdeen (’cello) are the midnight harmonists. The awakened householder, Mr. Bull, is requesting a more piquant programme: “I’m tired of your eternal ‘God save the King’ and ‘Rule Britannia,’—give us something French—‘The Marseillaise’ or ‘The Parisienne.’” Wellington, touching his hat, replies, “Please your Honour, we don’t play them ’ere tunes.”

“Sindbad theSailorand the Old Man of the Sea!” (videfifth voyage, June 8, 1833) was published after the dissolution. William IV. is, of course, the marvellous traveller, and the incubus he has submitted to get settled on his shoulders is the reforming premier, Lord Grey.

That parliamentary reform, though commenced, wasby the extreme party considered but an imperfect measure, is pictorially illustrated in various designs by HB; for instance, the elusive “Time” is shown running away with the great Whig Reform Bill, and Lord Althorp is seen tearing after the vanishing roll, crying, “Stop thief!” He has theTimesin his pocket, presumably the organ bywhich John Bull’s course was piloted, and is vainly trying to come up with the departing thief and his measure, one tiny corner Lord Althorp has torn off, “Schedule A,” and that promises to be all he can save from the abduction.

SINDBAD THE SAILOR AND THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA. JUNE 8, 1833. BY J. DOYLE (HB).

Another version, also by Doyle, embodies in graphic form the views of the root-and-branch reformers; a grand trio of Sir Francis Burdett, then a prominent Radical; Joseph Hume, who was all for economic reform, in which important branch he has left no true successor; and Daniel O’Connell, a most important factor in his time, whose covert designs were nothing less than “Repeal.” These gentlemen, who were among the most conspicuous politicians of their day, are linked arm-in-arm as the “Three Great Pillars of Government; or, A Walk from White Conduit House to St. Stephen’s” (July 23, 1834); published under the same auspices of Thomas McLean, at the Haymarket Gallery, as the other examples of Doyle’s satirical ability reproduced in this summary. Sir Francis Burdett is with much spirit advocating “Equal Representation and Annual Parliaments—andthat(a snap of the fingers) for the Borough-mongers.” Hume is applauding this resolute front: “Bravo! and Cheap Government;” to which Daniel O’Connell is adding, “And Universal Suffrage, and Vote byBallot, eh?” with, as a supplement, in a very small whisper, “A Repeal of the Union.”

When another general election occurred, the situation of honest John Bull was figured as that of a stout gentleman wishing to be carried on his road, but distracted as to the conveyance he must choose. The Tory ’bus stands contrasted with the new reform steam vehicle, which is crowded with experimentalists. “The Opposition ‘Busses” is the title of this version, also due to HB. The Duke of Wellington is trying to secure John Bull for his old coach, which does not seem much patronized.

“Don’t trust ’em, Sir, and their new-fangled machinery. Can’t get on at all without being kept in constant hot water, and sure to blow up in the end; with us you’ll be much more safe and comfortable,—carefuldriver, steady train’d horses, and rate of going much faster than formerly.”

Sir Francis Burdett.Joseph Hume.Daniel O’Connell.THREE GREAT PILLARS OF GOVERNMENT; OR, A WALK FROM WHITE CONDUIT HOUSE TO ST. STEPHEN’S.JULY 23, 1834. BY J. DOYLE (HB).[Page 376.

THREE GREAT PILLARS OF GOVERNMENT; OR, A WALK FROM WHITE CONDUIT HOUSE TO ST. STEPHEN’S.

JULY 23, 1834. BY J. DOYLE (HB).

[Page 376.

Sir Robert Peel is the coachman. Steam-coaches were fashionable novelties in 1834; the uncomfortable-looking, nondescript new conveyance, with its steam up, is crowded with statesmen. O’Connell, Lord Melbourne, Lord John Russell, and Lord Palmerston are distinguishable. Hume is touting for his new invention:—

“You are not such a silly Chiel as to go with them old screws? Eh, you’ll never get to your journey’s end. Ours is the new grand-junction Steam Omnibus, constructed upon scientific and feelosophical principles—warranted to go at race-horse speed, and no stopping.”

DESIGN FOR THE KING’S ARMS, TO BE PLACED OVER THE NEW SPEAKER’S CHAIR. FEB. 17, 1835. BY J. DOYLE (HB).

With the renovated and redressed Constitution, the wits hinted that novel accessories would be in request, and that the insignia of regality would also have to be revised. Such a suggestion is offered in Doyle’s “Original Design for the King’s Arms, to be placed over theNewSpeaker’s Chair,” where old Cobbett, late “Peter Porcupine,” the persistent agitator, who obtained a seat in Parliament after the passing of the Reform Bill, is playfully substituted as the British Lion; and the high-bred Sir Francis Burdett, who, as is seen in these electioneering illustrations, had so long figured before the public as a Radical reformer, and was now beginning to turn to the Tory interest, is usurpingthe position in the royal escutcheon generally appropriated to the fabled unicorn.

The advent of the ballot was not ardently desired by the Tories, and it was hinted that the consequences of its introduction would entail such inconveniences as are figured in the two illustrations here given, rather implying that violence and coercion would henceforth be unavailing, and that, as bribery would be in vain also, administrative corruptors would prefer to make a more legitimate use of their money.

A ballad of the “broadside” order appeared upon “The Windsor Election” of 1835. As a genuine rough-and-ready production, called forth by the circumstances of the contest, and embodying the names of the candidates, it is worth preserving as typical of thousands of similar ballads, which have in all probability perished from the bills of mortality.

“What a wonderful thing’s an Election!It sets all the people alive;And makes them all busy and nimble,Like so many bees in a hive.’Tis then the nobs learn to be civil,And get all their lessons by rote;With ‘How do you do? Honest friend,I’m come to solicit your vote.’“There’s enough of that humbug just now,To be seen in a neighbouring town,Where the voters don’t scruple to sayThe whole will be dear for aCrown.They’re professing to canvass for truth,Which all honest folks must deny,For ’tis plain as the nose on your face,They’ll gammon you all with—a-lie.72“Then, to think of that corporate body,All their mind on the thing is agog;They’ll be gammon’d as surely by himAs they formerly were with their hog.Just fancy that day at the hustings,You see that comical crop,The old soldier playing first fiddleTo the tune of the Bachelor’s Hop.“When they’ve scrap’d and fiddled away,And find little company come,The Fiddler will soon bag his kit,And then the day’s work will be done.The people may think this is wise (Vyse),But the thing will be well understood,For a man to fiddle all dayShould be made of cast iron or wood (Col. Wood).“Now to see the phizogs of this crew,As they travel away cheek-by-jowl,Led on by old Dot-and-go-one,A-scratching the headof his poll.At the warmints he’s storming and raving,And wishing ’em all at the Devil,Whilst Sir John,73and the rest of his staff,Are cursing the Bachelor’s Revel.“Success to Sir John de Beauvoir,He’s a man that is loyal and true,He’ll strangle that monster—corruption,And live to bury him, too.Whilst the ghost of old Elley, in pity,To the Corporate body will come,In a vision, with two bags of money,On the back of old Dot-and-go one.”

“There’s enough of that humbug just now,To be seen in a neighbouring town,Where the voters don’t scruple to sayThe whole will be dear for aCrown.They’re professing to canvass for truth,Which all honest folks must deny,For ’tis plain as the nose on your face,They’ll gammon you all with—a-lie.72

“Then, to think of that corporate body,All their mind on the thing is agog;They’ll be gammon’d as surely by himAs they formerly were with their hog.Just fancy that day at the hustings,You see that comical crop,The old soldier playing first fiddleTo the tune of the Bachelor’s Hop.

“When they’ve scrap’d and fiddled away,And find little company come,The Fiddler will soon bag his kit,And then the day’s work will be done.The people may think this is wise (Vyse),But the thing will be well understood,For a man to fiddle all dayShould be made of cast iron or wood (Col. Wood).

“Now to see the phizogs of this crew,As they travel away cheek-by-jowl,Led on by old Dot-and-go-one,A-scratching the headof his poll.At the warmints he’s storming and raving,And wishing ’em all at the Devil,Whilst Sir John,73and the rest of his staff,Are cursing the Bachelor’s Revel.

“Success to Sir John de Beauvoir,He’s a man that is loyal and true,He’ll strangle that monster—corruption,And live to bury him, too.Whilst the ghost of old Elley, in pity,To the Corporate body will come,In a vision, with two bags of money,On the back of old Dot-and-go one.”

INCONVENIENCES THAT MIGHT HAVE ARISEN FROM THE BALLOT. BY G. SEYMOUR.[Page 378.Duke of Wellington.—“Yes, my Lord, fifty thousand pounds expended, four-fifths of the votes promised, and yet the Election lost!”Lord Eldon.—“Oh, horrible!!”INCONVENIENCES THAT MIGHT HAVE ARISEN FROM THE BALLOT. BY G. SEYMOUR.[Page 378.“Gipsy-boy” Bludgeon-men.—“Arn’t we Gipsy-Boys to be your Bullies this Election, my Lord—if you want anything done, we arn’t at all partickler what it is?”First Lord.—“No; I’ve got no use for you now!”

INCONVENIENCES THAT MIGHT HAVE ARISEN FROM THE BALLOT. BY G. SEYMOUR.

[Page 378.

Duke of Wellington.—“Yes, my Lord, fifty thousand pounds expended, four-fifths of the votes promised, and yet the Election lost!”

Lord Eldon.—“Oh, horrible!!”

INCONVENIENCES THAT MIGHT HAVE ARISEN FROM THE BALLOT. BY G. SEYMOUR.

[Page 378.

“Gipsy-boy” Bludgeon-men.—“Arn’t we Gipsy-Boys to be your Bullies this Election, my Lord—if you want anything done, we arn’t at all partickler what it is?”

First Lord.—“No; I’ve got no use for you now!”

It appears that the Whig interest had it all their own way; Sir John Elley was put forward by the Windsor corporation as an independent candidate, as appears from the following extracts from “A Parody of the Mistletoe Bough:”—

“A banner now hangs in a corporate townProfessing to keep all corruption down,And many retainers are blithe and gay,Being keeping an Election holiday:But the Corporate body, they take offence,And bring a man here under pretenceThat an Independent Gent is he,And they swear that he is no Nominee.”

Sir John Elley leaves his committee forlorn, and is sought for far and near without success:—

“Some time after, Sir John did recede,A Bachelor passed him o’er Runnymede;A Skeleton tall passed before his sight,He thought the form was the good old knight;And a death-like voice did grate on his ear—‘We never have any corruption here;This is sacred ground, so go back and relate,Magna Chartahas strangled your dear Candidate.’”

Two years later, another appeal to the country was impending. At the beginning of 1837, HB produced a figurative prospect of the situation, as “A New Instance of the Mute—ability of Human Affairs.” The British Constitution, that fabled “admiration of surrounding nations,” and “monument of the collective wisdom of generations,” is at last moribund: the fatal hour has arrived, and the chamber of mourning is presented to view. Mounted upon sable trestles, and covered with a rich pall, is the coffin which contains the defunct, according to the plate, “Died 1837, of the prevailing Influenza, the British Constitution of 1688, aged 149 years;” the mutes, with trappings of woe, stationed on either side of the coffin, are Lord John Russell and Spring Rice.

In March, 1837, HB gave the public a version of that appeal to the constituencies, then becoming more imminent: “Going to the Fair with It. A cant phrase for doing anything in an extravagant way—known, it is presumed, to most persons.” The three performers are in the thick of the fair, within the circle of booths; one tent has the sign of the “King’s Head,” with the Union Jack flying, another mounts the sign of “The Mitre.” Dan O’Connell is seated on the ground as a conjuror, with a paraphernalia of swords, rings, and balls—“Irish titles and appropriation clause” among the former. He is performing the “great sword-swallowing trick,” with a blade marked “Repeal.” Spring Rice, dressed as a tumbler, is balancing a block on a stick which rests on his chin. The chief attraction, the onlyperformance which is absorbing the wonder of the entire spectators, is that of the acrobat, Lord John Russell, who is sustaining himself in the air raised on a single support, marked, “Irish Corporation Bill.” John Bull, who occupies the central position, cannot disguise his interest in the feat: “Well done, little ’un; you’ve got up a surprising height—take care how you let yourself down.” The Duke of Wellington is counselling John Bull: “These tricks are decidedly dangerous, and should not be encouraged.” Sir Robert Peel and Lord Stanley are in conference, as retired professors of conjuring. “This is the great trick now—the stilts are quite discarded.” A bishop is observing, “That man balances very inequitably.”

On the other side are grouped various critics of the performance. Lord Ebrington considers the trick “wonderful, even more astonishing than the Stilts.” Sir William Molesworth declares, “They deserve encouragement, but they don’t go half as far as they ought.” Hume also thinks, “it is very well as far as it goes!” Lord Brougham, wearing his distinguishing plaid trousers, is in conference with Mr. Roebuck as to starting an opposition show: “What do you think if we were to set up a little concern of our own: you would make a very nice little Tumbler, and I—you know, am an old hand that way!” Sir Francis Burdett, who had given some surprising performances in his time, is leaving the fair, declaring, “I can’t stand it any longer;” while his associate, Sir J. C. Hobhouse, advises him to wait a while, “Don’t go yet; the best of the sport is to come!”

The struggles, twists, and contortions of ministers to keep in place, and the involutions of “Ins and Outs,” were ably parodied, a few months before the dissolution, as the “Fancy Ball—Jim Crow Dance and Chorus” (April 17, 1837); in which the most prominent movers of both parties are travestied in fancy costumes, out-at-elbows, and with blackened faces—the likenesses admirably preserved; and executing a reel worthy of “Chimney Sweeps’ Day;” thewhole arranged to the then-popular air of “Jump Jim Crow,” introduced at that time by an actor named Rice—the forerunner of the “Christy Minstrels” of a later generation. The central figures are—O’Connell, who is making a contemptuous gesture, and his partner, Lord Melbourne; Wellington and Peel arevis-à-vis; Stanley and Graham are jigging gaily together, so are Lords Abinger and Lyndhurst; Sir Francis Burdett and General de Lacy Evans are figuring back-to-back in approved Irish-jig style; and Spring Rice is getting on well to a lively measure along with Lord John Russell.

“Behold the Politician!Out of place he’ll never go,But to keep it, don’t he turn aboutAnd jump Jim Crow?“Turn about, and wheel about,And do just so,The only Cabinet QuadrilleIs jump Jim Crow!”

“Behold the Politician!Out of place he’ll never go,But to keep it, don’t he turn aboutAnd jump Jim Crow?

“Turn about, and wheel about,And do just so,The only Cabinet QuadrilleIs jump Jim Crow!”

Sir Francis Burdett—the “seven-stringed Jack” and admirer of the French revolution of Gillray’s cartoons, the fiery Radical of Cruikshank’s early flashing squibs—after a career of remarkable prominence as a zealous innovator and friend of reform, quixotically riding full tilt against abuses of all kinds, was exhibiting himself, in the session about to close his old career, as a convert to fine full-bodied Tory principles. HB has pictorially given the contests the famous baronet had waged with the mighty Dan O’Connell, whose “repealing” proclivities seem finally to have opened Burdett’s eyes as to the desirability of preserving the integrity of the kingdom. His highly characteristic speech at the Westminster hustings is the best exposition of his changed opinions. In his picture of “A Fine Old English Gentleman, One of the Olden Time” (May 10, 1837), Doyle has commemorated the baronet’s final accession to the country party, by drawing Sir Francis in his familiar guise—blue coat,tightly buttoned, with swallow tails, white vest and ample white cravat, white cords, and top-boots,—seated, a prisoner in his own apartments, suffering from an attack of gout. A picture of the Tower, hung on the wall, indicates a previous episode of imprisonment, when Burdett became an inmate of that edifice (April 6, 1810); he was the last political prisoner confined there. It was felt that the baronet’s connection with Westminster was about to be severed; however, he offered himself for re-election, that his old constituents might pronounce upon his action.

The candidature of Mr. Leader formed the subject of several of Doyle’s suggestive sketches. In “Following the Leader” (May 12, 1837), HB has given a fanciful version of the candidate’s supporters impressed as boardsmen. O’Connell heads the file, with a placard “Leader for Westminster.” Lord Melbourne is advertising “Leader and Reform of the House of Lords.” Lord John Russell, as a “sandwich” man, announces “Annual Parliaments, Universal Suffrage, and Vote by Ballot;” Lord Palmerston’s board declares, “I am a Tory, and was always a Tory.” Sir William Molesworth, Hume, and others bring up the rear, with “Leader for Westminster” placards. The Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel are surveying the demonstration from a distance, “These, I suppose, are some of the Pismires!”

“May Day in 1837” is another ingenious version of the political situation. The figure enclosed in the green, which is surmounted by the crown, is the king, William IV.; he is getting nervous at his situation: “I have got into a warm berth, it must be owned; indeed, it grows rather Hellish.” Melbourne makes a handsome “my lord,” and Russell’s figure just suits “my lady.” Lord Morpeth is a serviceable clown. The whole dance is performed to the drum accompaniment of Dan O’Connell. Spring Rice, as chancellor of the exchequer, is going round to John Bull for the supplies, much to the national prototype’s surprise:“You little spooney! How came you to be entrusted with the ladle, eh?” Sir Francis Burdett, still in his sweep’s disguise, is stalking off from the concern: “These ’ere fellers grow so werry wulgar that a gentlemen can’t keep company with them no longer.”

It was on this occasion that Sir Francis Burdett,—finally forsaking those Radical principles upon which he had been returned in the first instance for Westminster in 1807—for which important city he had sat until 1837,—appealed to the constituency which had elected him for thirty years, and, with that chivalrous spirit which distinguished his nature, challenged the votes of his supporters as to how far his changed politics might enlist their approval, and invited his friends to pronounce their verdict on his conduct. Upon the baronet’s appeal to his constituents, in the character of “a fine old English gentleman, all on the Tory side,” when, in May, 1837, he resigned his membership for Westminster as a Radical, and offered himself as a Tory candidate, he was opposed by John Temple Leader, a prominent Radical politician. Party feeling was considerably intensified, and ungenerous efforts were made by his late Radical colleagues to inflict the mortification of a defeat upon the reformed baronet. The famous agitator, Daniel O’Connell, whose collision with Burdett was among the chief causes of his changed opinions, exerted himself to the utmost to bring about the discomfiture of his opponent, who, in return, dealt scathing contempt upon the arch-agitator. Many political satires and squibs were produced on this occasion, and, in a literary and artistic point of view, one feature of great interest associated with this incident was the appearance of an electioneering caricature by the author of “Vanity Fair.” The Marquis of Wharton, Swift, Burns, Sir Hanbury Williams, Canning, Moore, and many eminent poets, writers, and statesmen have originated electioneering ballads, and Thackeray has associated his name with a pictorial squib; in 1837, he was, as part-proprietor and contributor, associated with the unfortunate venture (asregards the inroad its subsequent failure made on his fortune), theConstitutional and Public Ledger—a daily journal, of ultra-liberal views; and as its programme included extension of popular franchise, vote by ballot, equal civil rights, religious liberty, and short parliaments, it may be imagined that the political creed which he at that time professed inclined Thackeray to look with disfavour upon the converted Burdett as an apostate from his faith: he has expressed this view in a political satire addressed to the electors of Westminster. The picture, a quarto leaf, was presented with theGuide(May 13, 1837). It represents Sir Francis Burdett and his opponent, Leader, on the hustings, as “The Rivals; or, Old Tory Glory and Young Liberal Glory.” Sir Francis is represented as decrepit, and a martyr to the gout—another attribute of a “fine old English gentleman”—from which the baronet suffered much in later life; his foot is swathed in flannel, and crutches support him to stand; his coat is worn inside out, and a glory round his head alludes to an expression of “pismire voters” he had applied to the following of his antagonists. Beneath the picture is a further explanation of the satirist’s meaning:—

“Historical truth has compelled the artist to portray the physical infirmities which keep Sir Francis from all duties except that of dining at the Pavilion; but our readers will recollect that that infirmity is the gout—one which mankind seem, by common consent, to have determined never to regard with compassion.... A picture of the Tower is seen in the background; and Sir Francis, with a ‘glory’ of ‘pismires’ round his head, is depicted as hobbling away in his turned coat from the recollections, as from the principles, of his youth.”

In spite of his sudden conversion, the electors of Westminster held their respected member in too much veneration to inflict upon him the ignominy of rejection; the wielder of the “Herculean club,” depicted as the foremost leader among the “plebs” by George Cruikshank, who has described the object of his shafts as “the eloquent and noble Sir Francis Burdett,” was placed at the head of thepoll by a majority of five hundred votes over his antagonist, Leader, who had come forward as the Radical champion to oppose his return. Sir Francis Burdett is so prominent a personage in the annals of electioneering, as well as in those of parliamentary history, that a specimen of his eloquence may not be out of place; especially as the speech which he made to his constituents after the declaration of the poll by the high bailiff of Westminster is an admirable example of the orations which may be considered appropriate to these memorable occasions on the part of the successful candidate. Sir Francis rested his firm attitude on his antipathy to see the British empiredismembered: history repeats itself, and it was on the question of “Repeal of the Union” that he broke with his party.

“Gentlemen, Electors of the City and Liberties of Westminster—“It now becomes my pleasing task to return you my most sincere and grateful thanks for the high honour which you have again conferred upon me. In the first place, I have to thank you for the arrangements that you have made, and for the consideration you have manifested in regard to the present state of my health, and for the relief your attention has afforded me from those duties which would have been painful and difficult on this great and important occasion, and which has rendered my part in the struggle comparatively easy and full of satisfaction. (Cheers.) Permit me to congratulate you upon the noble, the patriotic, the independent efforts you have made, and through you, gentlemen, to congratulate the people at large upon the glorious triumph of the English constitution, which has been achieved against the vain and futile efforts of Radicalism and democracy. Gentlemen, I congratulate you upon the firm determination you have shown to maintain all the great and inestimable institutions of this country against the efforts of her enemies. (Loud cheers, with faint hisses.) The task which I have now to perform is both short and pleasant, and I shall not now detain you, after the triumph you have achieved and the victory you have won, merely to indulge my own feelings of exultation and of gratification; but this I will say, that the electors of Westminster have by the result of their noble and patriotic exertions set an example to the people of England, to be looked up to andfollowed; and in every part of this great nation I make no doubt but that this brilliant example will have the happy effect of sending good men, who love their country and venerate her constitution, to unite for their defence, and at the same time to defeat the machinations and conspiracies of the bad. (Loud applause.) I will not dwell on these subjects, but this much I will observe, that you are much indebted even to your enemies for the signal triumph you have so nobly and so gloriously achieved. (Great cheering.) The malignity and malice of some persons have done much to aid the cause of the constitution; but I should say that if there is one individual to whom you are more indebted than any other, that person certainly was Mr. Daniel O’Connell. (Loud cheers and groans.) The attacks of that individual have tended to serve the cause which they were designed to injure. Gentlemen, the big beggarman of Ireland (renewed cheers) has mistaken the good sense and patriotism of the people of England. He has intruded himself with his uncalled-for advice upon the electors of Westminster, and with (as it now turns out) his disregarded threats. He has intruded that advice and those suggestions in an Irish letter, couched in a strain more Irish than Irish itself (loud laughter), and containing in every point that mixture of blarney and bully, the former of which has only excited the disgust, and the latter the contempt of the electors of Westminster. (Loud cheers, groans, and laughter.) I know not what influence that letter may be said to have had upon His Majesty’s ministers; but this I know, that the people of England, and especially the electors of Westminster, were made of sterner stuff. Whatever His Majesty’s ministers may think proper to do, what course they may choose to pursue, we have shown our determination to maintain and support the English constitution and to resist to the uttermost the dismemberment of the British empire, notwithstanding that Mr. Daniel O’Connell is our declared and determined foe. (Loud cheers, with shouts of disapprobation from the ‘Leader’ party.) In addition, I will merely say that you view as I do the attempt to control your opinions lately made by the great popish priest-ridden paid patriot of Ireland. (Great applause and sensation.) And I will add this, that I wish such persons would declare and destroy themselves as he has done; no danger could then be apprehended, as I think it would be on all occasions safer to have such persons my foes than my friends. (Cheers, and yellings from the ‘Leader’ party.) Gentlemen, with these observations I shall take my leave. The sun shines upon our principles and our affections at this moment; but there is a still brighter sunshine in every honest English heart at the triumph achieved by you and the example you have set to the rest of England. (Cheers.) Wishing you all good and happiness, and full of the devotion I owe you electors of Westminster and to the friends to the cause of England and the constitution, I now take my leave. (Renewed cheering, which continued for several minutes, during which time the hon. baronetbowed to the meeting and retired from the hustings, accompanied as he came, by a large body of his friends and supporters.)”

“Gentlemen, Electors of the City and Liberties of Westminster—

“It now becomes my pleasing task to return you my most sincere and grateful thanks for the high honour which you have again conferred upon me. In the first place, I have to thank you for the arrangements that you have made, and for the consideration you have manifested in regard to the present state of my health, and for the relief your attention has afforded me from those duties which would have been painful and difficult on this great and important occasion, and which has rendered my part in the struggle comparatively easy and full of satisfaction. (Cheers.) Permit me to congratulate you upon the noble, the patriotic, the independent efforts you have made, and through you, gentlemen, to congratulate the people at large upon the glorious triumph of the English constitution, which has been achieved against the vain and futile efforts of Radicalism and democracy. Gentlemen, I congratulate you upon the firm determination you have shown to maintain all the great and inestimable institutions of this country against the efforts of her enemies. (Loud cheers, with faint hisses.) The task which I have now to perform is both short and pleasant, and I shall not now detain you, after the triumph you have achieved and the victory you have won, merely to indulge my own feelings of exultation and of gratification; but this I will say, that the electors of Westminster have by the result of their noble and patriotic exertions set an example to the people of England, to be looked up to andfollowed; and in every part of this great nation I make no doubt but that this brilliant example will have the happy effect of sending good men, who love their country and venerate her constitution, to unite for their defence, and at the same time to defeat the machinations and conspiracies of the bad. (Loud applause.) I will not dwell on these subjects, but this much I will observe, that you are much indebted even to your enemies for the signal triumph you have so nobly and so gloriously achieved. (Great cheering.) The malignity and malice of some persons have done much to aid the cause of the constitution; but I should say that if there is one individual to whom you are more indebted than any other, that person certainly was Mr. Daniel O’Connell. (Loud cheers and groans.) The attacks of that individual have tended to serve the cause which they were designed to injure. Gentlemen, the big beggarman of Ireland (renewed cheers) has mistaken the good sense and patriotism of the people of England. He has intruded himself with his uncalled-for advice upon the electors of Westminster, and with (as it now turns out) his disregarded threats. He has intruded that advice and those suggestions in an Irish letter, couched in a strain more Irish than Irish itself (loud laughter), and containing in every point that mixture of blarney and bully, the former of which has only excited the disgust, and the latter the contempt of the electors of Westminster. (Loud cheers, groans, and laughter.) I know not what influence that letter may be said to have had upon His Majesty’s ministers; but this I know, that the people of England, and especially the electors of Westminster, were made of sterner stuff. Whatever His Majesty’s ministers may think proper to do, what course they may choose to pursue, we have shown our determination to maintain and support the English constitution and to resist to the uttermost the dismemberment of the British empire, notwithstanding that Mr. Daniel O’Connell is our declared and determined foe. (Loud cheers, with shouts of disapprobation from the ‘Leader’ party.) In addition, I will merely say that you view as I do the attempt to control your opinions lately made by the great popish priest-ridden paid patriot of Ireland. (Great applause and sensation.) And I will add this, that I wish such persons would declare and destroy themselves as he has done; no danger could then be apprehended, as I think it would be on all occasions safer to have such persons my foes than my friends. (Cheers, and yellings from the ‘Leader’ party.) Gentlemen, with these observations I shall take my leave. The sun shines upon our principles and our affections at this moment; but there is a still brighter sunshine in every honest English heart at the triumph achieved by you and the example you have set to the rest of England. (Cheers.) Wishing you all good and happiness, and full of the devotion I owe you electors of Westminster and to the friends to the cause of England and the constitution, I now take my leave. (Renewed cheering, which continued for several minutes, during which time the hon. baronetbowed to the meeting and retired from the hustings, accompanied as he came, by a large body of his friends and supporters.)”

The situation of Mr. Leader was illustrated by a parody of Sir E. Landseer’s picture of “The Dog and the Shadow;” the bone is Bridgwater (which seat he relinquished to contest Westminster)—the latter is inscribed on the shadow.

The sequel of the Westminster contest was given by HB as a “Race for the Westminster Stakes between an Old Thoro’bred and a Young Cock-tail—weight for age—the old ’un winning in a canter” (May 22, 1837). Lord Russell, Wellington, and others are assembled as spectators in a booth to the right. Lord Castlereagh, the jockey, is bringing in easily the high-mettled racer with Burdett’s face. Roebuck is vainly whipping and spurring “Leader,” the second horse. Hume and O’Connell are highly excited at the defeat of their favourite.

The question of a Repeal of the Union was one of a momentous order, and accordingly a considerable interest seems to have attended Burdett’s change of sides. Doyle has given a capital version of the story in “Taking up a Fare. ‘All the World’s a Stage’” (May 24, 1837). The coach represented is “Peel’s Stager;” Sir James Graham is ostler; Sir Robert Peel, as “whip,” is raising up his reins and addressing the box passenger, William IV., “We begin to load up capital well,” alluding to Burdett, the fresh customer. “You don’t say so,” remarks the king. Peel continues his reminiscences of the new inside passenger. “He as is now getting in—was formerly a great ally of the ‘Comet.’74He has since travelled occasionally with the ‘Mazeppa’75people; but, for some time back, I have missed him off the road entirely.” The Duke of Wellington, who is making everything secure, and Lord Lyndhurst are in the “boot.” Sir Francis Burdett, still lamed with the gout, is about to enter the coach; the door is held for him by Lord Stanley: “I should know your face: didn’t you once drive the ‘Darby Dilly?’ What are you doing now?”Lord Stanley (whom HB, in a former cartoon, had drawn upsetting the “Darby Dilly” in question) is touching his hat to Sir Francis, and replying, “At present, Sir, I’m with these people; but since ‘the Dilly’ was done up I haven’t had no regular engagement. I sometimes drives the ‘Conservative’ up a stage and sometimes take it down.” Lord Castlereagh appears as Burdett’s tiger.

Burdett, the ex-Radical champion, still in his congenial character of “Don Quixote,” is next shown attacking the “Lion of Democracy.” The picture of this adventure is entitled “The Last and Highest Point at which the Unheard-of Courage of Don Quixote ever did, or could arrive, with the Happy Conclusion.” “An Old Song to a New Tune” (June 17, 1837), shows the Whig wherry reduced to make great exertions to keep ahead; of the six rowers, the faces of Palmerston, Duncannon, and Melbourne are alone shown; Lord John Russell is steering. The passengers are John Bull, with an uneasy expression, seated beside the king, who is evidently upset by the motion, and looks very unwell. The parody runs—

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