Apropos of the same general elections, we find our old friends, Sir Francis Burdett and his whilom preceptor and champion, William Cobbett, of Political Register repute, engaged in what the artist delineates as “A Character-istic Dialogue” (September 2, 1830). “Peter Porcupine,” having parliamentary aspirations, is applying to his ancient pupil and ally for a voucher: “Being much in want of a character, I make bold, Sir Francis, to ask you for one; it appearing that your benevolence in this way embraces all sorts of criminals, you cannot consistently refuse me!” Burdett, in spite of this touching reference to his exertions on behalf of the prisoner inmates of Coldbath Fields, is turning a haughty front to the applicant: “I cannot do anything for you; your character is already Registered.” With the reformed parliament, Cobbett was returned for Oldham. In the House he disappointed expectations, and was regarded as somewhat in the light of a failure.
WILLIAM COBBETT—“PETER PORCUPINE.” BY J. GILLRAY.
The usual changes of seats had taken place in the course of the elections, and it was hinted that the Wellington-Peel Administration might find it expedient to increase its strength by the infusion of new blood, with a view to the “power-to-add-to-their-numbers” policy. The chiefs still in office are shown by Doyle as visiting “The Noodle Bazaar” (September 9, 1830, Q. and HB delt.). Reviewing the files of various assorted “bustoes,” Wellington, using his eye-glass, is observing to his colleague, “Peel, I am in great want of a few good heads to place in our Cabinet before the opening of the new House in October, and I see some here which I think would answer, if they could be had on reasonable terms.” Peel, alive to the results of the elections, is replying, “I perceive that the places of some have been changed, and their value raised since I last saw them, and pray observe the strange mixture of heads upon the upper shelf.” The Peers who, according to the notification below them, “May be had separately or together,” occupy the upper shelf, and below is a cabinet of busts for sale, ready assorted. The shelved lords offer a motley choice: Lords Grey, Eldon, Holland, Lansdowne, the Duke of Cumberland, etc.,—all statesmen out of work. Below the upper shelf is a platform on which is an assorted ready-made ministry (of busts) arranged in a regular order. “This group is to be sold in one lot. Every head has its price marked on it.” The respective busts represent Huskisson (president of the Board of Trade), Grant (colonies), Palmerston (foreign secretary), Melbourne (home secretary), etc. On a pedestal marked “Yorkshire, to wit,” is the brazen bust of Henry Brougham, the plinth with the word “Rolls” struck out in favour of “Chancery.” The bust of Hume in marble stands on a square and massive pediment, marked “Middlesex.” O’Connell is below in clay; he is thus ticketed: “This head won’t be sold—(until it be bought).” A row of lesser men on a shelf in the distance bears the advertisement, “These small busts may be had remarkably cheap.” The bust of Charles X. is just upset; while, on a high plinth, marked “The People’s Choice—a French pattern of inestimable value,” stands his successor, Louis Philippe. The Dey of Algiers is also thrown aside, while Lords Manners, Redesdale, and Sidmouth are among the “antiques,” obsolete patterns, and “oddments.”
The proverbial independence of John Bull’s character is playfully called in question (September 10, 1830), the national prototype being represented (not for the first or last time) as “The man wot is easily led by the nose.” The Times is the potential leading organ to which John Bull is attached in the way described; he is exclaiming, in happy delusion, “What a glorious thing it is to enjoy the liberty and independence of an Englishman!”
The displacement of the Wellington-Peel Cabinet followed a little later on. We next see the Duke of Cumberland surrendering office: “Resignation and Fortitude; or, the Gold Stick.” The king is seated busied in State affairs, the ex-Gold Stick, handing in the wand of office, is remarking, “I have now only to cut my stick and be off!” William IV., still pen in hand, replies briefly, “Thank ye, brother, thank ye,” being evidently reconciled both to his situation and the enormous sacrifice involved.
Incidentally we find a reference to the general election which was then engaging public attention; Doyle has ingeniously given a novel turn to his view of one of the candidates, by introducing a comparison with a performer who was also enjoying popular notice, “The Rival Candidates” (August 9, 1830). There are two hustings erected, and the crowd of free and independent electors is filling the intervening space. The satire is evidently aimed at Sir Alexander Grant, who, standing in front of his committee, is pointing, with a self-satisfied air, to his chin, of which Doyle has made the most. His rival is Michel Boai, “the musical wonder,” a Tyrolese performer, who “played tunes on his chin” by sheer muscular force. He is shown hammering his nether jaw with his fists, and giving a specimen of his chin-proficiency, supported by another minstrel with a small violin. Boai’s performance has won the sympathies and suffrages of his audience, who have with one accord turned their backs upon Sir A. Grant, and are applauding the new musical marvel. Boai’s agent is skilfully “working the oracle” while drawing attention to the rival booth:—
“The honble Gentleman opposite has certainly a most extraordinary chin, and when he places his claims to your suffrages upon that broad and ample basis, it must be GRANTed that he rests his hopes upon some foundation; but, Gentlemen, the Candidate whom I propose to you possesses such transcendent superiority in this important feature that I feel BOAIed up with confidence, when I claim for him your triumphant preference (cheers); and, Gentlemen, permit me to add that, in the event of his return, which I now consider certain (cheers), few orators in the hon: House will command more attention, or be listened to with so much pleasure.”
That the interests of the Wellington Cabinet were in jeopardy is pictorially conveyed. “The Unsuccessful Appeal” (September 25, 1830) shows John Bull arm-in-arm with the king, while Wellington is pointing to a distant movement amongst the crowd, and asking Mr. Bull’s protection against his political foes. “My good old friend, I want your assistance against these fellows, who are about to unite for the purpose of overpowering me by numbers.” The inimical confederates are Brougham and Lords Holland, Durham, Grey, etc., on the one side, who are fraternizing with Lord Eldon, the Duke of Cumberland, and others, on the other. Johnny is thus responding to the old campaigner’s appeal:—
“I should be sorry to see you defeated by such an unholy alliance after all the battles we have fought and won together; but the fact is, I feel so oppressed with the glory of so many victories, that I must beg to be excused from interfering any more for the present in the disputes of others. There are, however, plenty of clever fellows to be had, who are able and willing enough to assist you, but when you again meet with such, let me advise you not to be too ready to quarrel with them!”