Daniel O’Connell pretty generally seems the master of the situation in the impressions we get of the big Liberator in Doyle’s admirable and genially humorous cartoons. In another aspect of the 1837 election, published at the same date, the great Dan is installed as passenger and traffic manager at the metropolitan head-quarters of the new railway. “Great Western General Booking Office” (August 31st) shows those gentlemen who have been so unfortunate as to miss their seats besieging O’Connell for fresh places, “Gentlemen,” he cries, with good-natured desire to assist all, “we are all full; but, if you will only wait for the next train, we shall, I have no doubt, be able to accommodate you all with seats.” The best-known of the rejected ones are clamouring round the counter: “I am afraid we are thrown out for the present,” says one; while Dr. Bowring “the rejected of Kilmarnock,” is of opinion, “It seems there is a screw loose somewhere in their principal engine.” Roebuck stands first of the unfortunates; his slight luggage is “at the end of his stick;” Hume, carpet-bag in hand, has secured a ticket, and is departing—evidently with grave misgivings—to Kilkenny. Emerson Tennent and Sir James Graham are standing at the door of the office.
The ultimate reception of Hume by Kilkenny is set forth by the same hand: “Shooting Rubbish” (August 31, 1837). Dan O’Connell, habited as an Irish peasant, has brought Hume on a hay-trolley to a thatched cabin marked “Kilkenny;” he is gently lowered on to a heap by the wayside, where, according to a notice-board, “Rubbish may be shot.” “I think,” says Dan, “that is letting you down nice and easy.” Hume is grateful for the opportune assistance: “Thank ye, friend; should you ever have occasion to come to the North, I’ll endeavour to do as much for you.”
Parliament was not summoned until November 15, 1837; in the interval, Doyle produced two or three ingenious cartoons summarizing the situation. One of the best of these represents the field of contest like the preceding versions; it is entitled, “Retzsch’s Extraordinary Design of Satan playing at Chess with Man for his Soul, copied by HB in his freest manner” (September 29, 1837). The Great Dan takes the place of the evil one, the skull and cross-bones are mounted as his ensign, and he is evidently master of the board. “Man” is personated by Lord Melbourne, who is evidently in perplexity as to his next move. Britannia is personifying man’s good angel, and she is pitifully regarding the loser.
“A Game at Chess (again): the Queen in Danger” is another version of the situation in the recess. This appeared October 20, 1837, with the quotation, “A change came o’er the spirit of my dream.” The youthful sovereign is matched against Lord Palmerston. The Queen’s political tutor and adviser, Lord Melbourne, is standing behind the chair of his royal mistress. Lord Palmerston has put the Queen in jeopardy; Her Majesty is evidently anxious, but fails to master the right move. Melbourne sees the situation, and looks on with some excitement, but is enjoined by Palmerston to refrain from prompting his royal pupil’s play.
This situation is further exemplified in two later cartoons: “Susannah and the Elders” (October 27, 1837), in which the Queen is riding between Lords Melbourne and Palmerston; the spot appears to be Brighton, near the Pavilion, then a royal residence. The other version is borrowed from the popular farce, “High Life below Stairs (inverted), as lately performed at Windsor by Her Majesty’s servants” (October 31, 1837). The Queen is seen, seated on a sofa, but partly screened from view by a curtain. Lord Melbourne, who makes a handsome “my lord duke,” is monopolizing the youthful beauty; he observes to Lord Palmerston, who is also in livery, with a cockade—“Stand off; you are a Commoner. Nothing under nobility approaches Kitty.” Lord Palmerston is not overawed by these exclusive pretensions; as a representative of the Commons, he seizes his advantage,—“And what becomes of your dignity, if we refuse the supplies?”
A pungent epitome of the incidents of electioneering is thus set forth by an anonymous poetaster:—
“ELECTION DAY-A SKETCH FROM NATURE.
“THE HUSTINGS.
“Now, hail ye, groans, huzzas, and cheers,
So grateful to electors’ ears,
Where all is riot and confusion,
Fraud, friendship, scandal, and delusion;
Now houses stormed, and windows broken,
Serve as a pastime and a token
That patriots spare not, in their zeal,
Such measures for their country’s weal.
Now greeting, hooting, and abuse,
To each man’s party prove of use;
And mud, and stones, and waving hats,
And broken heads, and putrid cats,
Are offerings made to aid the cause
Of order, government, and laws.
Now lampoons, idle tales, and jokes,
And placards overreach and hoax;
While blustering, bullying, and brow-beating,
A little pommeling, and maltreating,
And elbowing, jostling, and cajoling,
And all the jockeyship of polling,
And deep manœuvre and duplicity,
Prove all elections fair and free;
While Scandalum Magnatum’s puzzled,
And lawless libel raves unmuzzled.”