A LIST OF THE CARTOONS.
Reading edition
YEAR. NO.
Acrobats at Westminster Title
1846. The Seven-League Boots 1
1849. A Bright Idea 2
1852. “Not Quite such a Fine Child as the Last!” 3
” Eating the Leek 4
1854. Pet of the Manchester School 5
1855. The New Coalition 6
1857. Recoil of the great Chinese Gun-Trick 7
1858. Orestes pursued by the Furies 8
” “It will soon Boil!” 9
” Mr. Bright offers to give Satisfaction to the Liberal Party 10
1859. A Very Greasy Pole 11
” The Quaker and the Bauble 12
” Who will Rouse Him? 13
” The Real Ugly Rush 14
1860. The Reform Janus 15
” Bright the Peace-Maker 16
” Dissent in Earnest 17
1863. Cobden’s Logic 18
1865. Dr. Bright and his Patient 19
” The Political “Wall-Flower” 20
1865. John Slow and John Fast 21
” Scene from St. Stephen’s Pantomime 22
1866. The Officious Passenger 23
” Going Down to the House 24
” The Brummagem Frankenstein 25
” The Popular Poll-Parrot 26
” Dr. Dulcamara in Dublin 27
” The Festive Season 28
1867. Rival Sweepers 29
” Gladiators Preparing for the Arena (Frontispiece) 30
1868. Dr. Bull’s Waiting-Room 31
” Athletics at Westminster 32
” A Dress Rehearsal 33
” A “Friend” at Court 34
1869. “Rejected!” 35
” Forgetting his Place 36
1870. John Bright’s New Reform Bill—“Reform Yourselves” 37
” The Bill of Fare 38
1872. “Off Greenwich” 39
1873. A Friend in Need 40
1875. The New Shepherd 41
The Rt. Hon. JOHN BRIGHT, M.P.
CARTOONS FROM “PUNCH.” 1846-1875.
CARTOON.—MARCH 7, 1846.
THE SEVEN-LEAGUE BOOTS;
OR, DEATH OF GIANT MONOPOLY.
The labours of Messrs. Cobden and Bright procured the recognition of Free Trade principles, and, with Sir Robert Peel, extorted from a reluctant Parliament the repeal of the Corn Laws.—1846.
No. 1.
CARTOON.—NOVEMBER 17, 1849.
A BRIGHT IDEA.
THE PEACE RECRUITING SERGEANT TRYING TO ENLIST THE DUKE.
Mr. Bright’s peace principles were embodied in the plan proposed this year to settle all international differences by arbitration. The scheme was not viewed with much favour.—1849.
No. 2.
CARTOON.—FEBRUARY 21, 1852.
“NOT QUITE SUCH A FINE CHILD AS THE LAST!”
Lord John Russell’s second Reform Bill was coldly received by Mr. Bright and other ardent reformers. The Ministry fell shortly after its introduction, and the measure was never discussed.—1852.
No. 3.
CARTOON.—NOVEMBER 13, 1852.
EATING THE LEEK.
Fluellen ... MR. COBDEN. Pistol ... MR. DISRAELI.
Fluellen. “I pray you fall to; if you can mock a leek, you can eat a leek.”-Hen. V.
The Derby Ministry declared their adherence to the Free-trade Policy of Messrs. Cobden and Bright, which they had formerly resisted.—1852.
No. 4.
CARTOON.—APRIL 18, 1854.
PET OF THE MANCHESTER SCHOOL.
“He shall have a little Turk to pull to pieces—that he shall.”
Messrs. Bright and Cobden incurred much odium by their persistent opposition to the Anti-Russian feeling of the nation at the outbreak of the Crimean war.—1854.
No. 5.
CARTOON.—OCTOBER 27, 1855.
THE NEW COALITION.
Messrs. Bright, Gladstone, and Disraeli were, at this time (though for different reasons) in accord in their opposition to Lord Palmerston’s Government.—1855.
No. 6.
CARTOON.—APRIL 11, 1857.
RECOIL OF THE GREAT CHINESE GUN-TRICK.
Mr. Bright was rejected at Manchester on Lord Palmerston’s appeal to the country after his defeat by Mr. Cobden on the China Question. He was shortly afterwards returned for Birmingham without opposition.—1857.
No. 7.
CARTOON.—JUNE 19, 1858.
ORESTES PURSUED BY THE FURIES.
Mr. Bright and Mr. Roebuck supported the Conservative Ministry, then threatened by a vote of censure, mainly to prevent Lord Palmerston’s return to office.—1858.
No. 8.
CARTOON.—NOVEMBER 6, 1858.
“IT WILL SOON BOIL!”
The constituencies at this time were apathetic on the Reform Question. Mr. Bright had been addressing numerous Meetings to elicit popular support.—1858.
No. 9.
CARTOON.—DECEMBER 18, 1858.
MR. BRIGHT OFFERS TO GIVE SATISFACTION TO THE LIBERAL PARTY.
Mr. Bright rejected the timid Reform proposals of the Whigs, and demanded the widest extension of the franchise.—1858.
No. 10.
CARTOON.—JANUARY 29, 1859.
A VERY GREASY POLE.
Mr. Bright had been addressing large Meetings in the manufacturing districts to agitate for an extension of the franchise to all rated householders.—1859.
No. 11.
CARTOON—FEBRUARY 5, 1859.
THE QUAKER AND THE BAUBLE.
“It is the Land which the territorial party represents in Parliament. * * * That is the theory of the Constitution: Blackstone says so. But it is a thing which is not likely to be respected much longer, and it mus’ go, even if involving the destruction of the Constitution.”—Mr. Bright, in his Penny Organ.
The “Morning Star”—a journal founded to advocate the views of Mr. Bright—met with little support. After an uncertain existence of some years, it was discontinued.—1859.
No. 12.
CARTOON.—MARCH 12, 1859.
WHO WILL ROUSE HIM?
Mr. Bright’s pertinacious demand for a Reform Bill, and the endeavours of both political parties to settle the question, failed to awaken the indifference of the constituencies.—1859.
No. 13.
CARTOON.—APRIL 30, 1859.
THE REAL UGLY RUSH.
“He feared there would be an ugly rush some of these days.”—Mr. Henley on the Reform Bill.
The Reform Question had become for both parties a battle ground for the possession of the Treasury bench. It proved fatal to the Derby Ministry in the preceding month.—1859.
No. 14.
CARTOON.—MAY 5, 1860.
THE REFORM JANUS.
{To Mr. Bright: “Just the thing you want my dear Bright: double your constituency!”
To a Conservative: “Pray don’t be alarmed!—It Only adds one per cent to the franchise!”}
Lord John Russell’s new Reform proposals, though framed with great care, again failed to receive Mr. Bright’s approval, and were at the same time distasteful to the Conservative Party.—1860.
No. 15.
CARTOON.—JUNE 9, 1860.
BRIGHT THE PEACE-MAKER.
Mr. Bright took an active part in supporting the repeal of the Paper Duty. He condemned the action of the Upper House in rejecting the Bill, and charged them with usurping the powers properly belonging to the Commons.—1860.
No. 16.
CARTOON.—JULY 21, 1860.
DISSENT IN EARNEST.
“We defer to their feelings, but we cannot assent to their reasoning.”—Parl. Debate.
Mr. Bright’s forcible opposition influenced the Government in withdrawing from the Census Bill the invidious clause relating to the Statistics of Religious Denominations.—1860.
No. 17.
CARTOON.—DECEMBER 5, 1863.
{Well-dressed Mr. Cobden to poorly-dressed beggar: “You are the greatest booby in the Universe, and therefore you ought to have a vote.”
Mr. Bright: “Hear! Hear!”}
COBDEN’S LOGIC.
“I don’t know, perhaps, any country in the world where the Masses of the People are so Illiterate as in England. * * * Sound Statesmanship requires such an extension of the franchise as shall admit the Masses of the People to political power.”—From Mr. Cobden’s Speech at Rochdale.
This speech gave occasion to much angry comment, and led to a personal dispute between Mr. Cobden and the Editor of the Times.—1863.
No. 18.
CARTOON.—FEBRUARY 4, 1865.
DR. BRIGHT AND HIS PATIENT.
Doctor. “Do you get good wages?”
Patient. “Yes.”
Doctor. “Have you plenty to eat and drink?”
Patient. “Yes, as far as that goes.”
Doctor. “Do you do as you like?”
Patient. “Yes.”
Doctor. “Do you pay taxes?”
Patient. “None to hurt me much.”
Doctor. “Ah! We must change all that. We must go in for Reform!”
This colloquy gives a not unfair summary of Mr. Bright’s address to his constituents in the preceding month.—1865.
No. 19.
CARTOON.—NOVEMBER 25, 1865.
{Lord Russell to another woman: “Will you join our set Miss Goshen?”}
THE POLITICAL “WALL-FLOWER.”
Miss Bright. “Nobody asks Me; and if they did, I should certainly decline.”
Lord Russell’s Whig prejudices were too strong to permit his offering Mr. Bright a seat in the Cabinet—though none had better deserved it.—1865.
No. 20.
CARTOON.—DECEMBER 9, 1865.
JOHN SLOW AND JOHN FAST.
Earl Russell. “Well, well! Don’t be violent, Mr. Bright, and proper inquiries shall be made, as we have perfect confidence in our friend, Mr. Workingman.”
Lord Russell claimed to have a monopoly of the Reform Question, and was not prepared to make the violent changes demanded by Mr. Bright.—1865.
No. 21.
CARTOON.—DECEMBER 30, 1865.
SCENE FROM ST. STEPHEN’S PANTOMIME.
Clown (Mr. Br-ght). “What a beautiful child! Let me take care of it for yer, mum.”
The Ministry were deaf alike to Mr. Bright’s menaces and persuasions, and their Bill, as ultimately framed, did not contain any of the points for which he contended.—1865.
No. 22.
CARTOON.—JANUARY 20, 1866.
{Mr. Bright using speaking trumpet: “LOWER AWAY THERE LOWER AWAY”}
THE OFFICIOUS PASSENGER.
Lord John. “Excuse me, friend Bright, but do you command this ship, or do I?”
Mr. Bright not having been admitted to the Cabinet, was endeavouring from the platform to force the hands of the Ministry.—1866.
No. 23.
CARTOON.—FEBRUARY 10, 1866.
GOING DOWN TO THE HOUSE.
Lord Russell. “Well, Bright, what do you want?”
Johnny Bright. “Anything your Honour is willing to give me NOW.”
Mr. Bright was now prepared to accept any reduction of the franchise—being convinced that neither the Ministry nor Parliament would agree to a Radical measure.—1866.
No. 24.
CARTOON.—SEPTEMBER 8, 1866.
THE BRUMMAGEM FRANKENSTEIN.
John Bright. “I have no fe—fe—fear of ma—manhood suffrage!”
[Mr. Bright’s Speech at Birmingham.
The unwillingness of Parliament to accept any measure of Reform had aroused a wide-spread discontent amongst the working classes. A monster gathering was held at Birmingham in August.—1866.
No. 25.
CARTOON.—OCTOBER 20, 1866.
{Parrot sitting on perch marked “UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE”}
THE POPULAR POLL-PARROT.
Parrot Song. “Pretty democra—a—ats! Take ’em to the poll! Naughty Bob Lowe! Schgree—e—e—yx!!!”
Mr. Bright was now addressing Reform Meetings in various towns. The burden of them was—an abuse of Mr. Lowe, who had aided in rejecting Lord Russell’s measure.—1866.
No. 26.
CARTOON.—NOVEMBER 10, 1866.
{Mr. Bright holding bottle labelled “RADICAL REFORM”.}
DR. DULCAMARA IN DUBLIN.
Mr. Bright visited Dublin, by request, in October. His speeches were mainly devoted to the discussion of Irish questions.—1866.
No. 27.
CARTOON.—DECEMBER 29, 1866.
THE FESTIVE SEASON.
(A Pleasant, but we fear a somewhat Improbable, Picture.)
Mr. B * * * * *, M.P. “I shay Lowe, old f’la, lesh shwear ’ternal fr’en’ship!”
Mr. L * * *, M.P. “All right, Johnny. Been boshe in the wrong.”
Not so improbable after all. Within two years from this date Messrs. Bright and Lowe were colleagues in the same Cabinet.—1866.
No. 28.
CARTOON.—JANUARY 12, 1867.
RIVAL SWEEPERS.
General Chorus. “Clear yer door-step down, mum?”
All parties were pledged to a renewal of the Reform discussion in the approaching Session. There was, therefore, every prospect of an animated rivalry.—1867.
No. 29.
CARTOON.—FEBRUARY 15, 1868.
DR. BULL’S WAITING-ROOM.
Benjamin (to Hibernia). “Please’m, the doctor’ll take your case fust’m.”
Mr. Bright’s further agitation of the Reform Question was (for the present) arrested by that of the Irish Church, which was uppermost in the minds of the country.—1868.
No. 31.
CARTOON.—JULY 11, 1868.
ATHLETICS AT WESTMINSTER.
John Bright. “Ha! Won’t you ketch it next half when our big brother comes!!!”
Mr. Gladstone’s Irish Church Suspensory Bill was thrown out by the Lords. The “big brother” was the Borough constituencies enlarged by the New Reform Bill.—1868.
No. 32.
CARTOON.—SEPTEMBER 12, 1868.
A DRESS REHEARSAL.
Friend Bright. “H’m! Ha! Verily these Ministerial garments won’t be so unbecoming, after all!”
[Said, in other words, in his last address.]
The Leadership of the Liberal Party having escaped from the hands of the Whigs, made it more than probable that Mr. Bright would have a seat in their next Cabinet.—1868.
No. 33.
CARTOON.—DECEMBER 19, 1868.
A “FRIEND” AT COURT.
What we have Read. “Mr. Bright attended yesterday at Windsor, and kissed Her Majesty’s hand on his appointment to the Board of Trade.”
The defeat of the Conservatives at the General Election was followed by the formation of a Liberal Administration, in which Mr. Bright was included as President of the Board of Trade.—1868.
No. 34.
CARTOON.—MAY 8, 1869.
“REJECTED!”
OR, THE VICISSITUDES OF ART.
Mr. Bright’s long advocacy of the Irish Church Disestablishment, after being in principle rejected alike by all Administrations, was now successfully realized.—1869.
No. 35.
CARTOON.—JUNE 26, 1869.
FORGETTING HIS PLACE.
John Bright. “Irish Church coming down!—pull out o’ the way there with that ‘infatuated’ old machine of yours—can’t yer?”
Groom of the Chambers. “John, John, you’re FORGETTING YOUR PLACE—you mustn’t use that sort of language NOW.”
Mr. Bright’s characteristic disregard of the Upper House had been unwisely expressed in a published letter to his constituents.—1869.
No. 36.
CARTOON.—JANUARY 22, 1870.
JOHN BRIGHT’S NEW REFORM BILL.— “REFORM YOURSELVES!”
Mr. Bright addressed his constituents on the evils of the Liquor traffic; urging, that it was a question—not for Government, but for themselves.—1870.
No. 37.
CARTOON.—FEBRUARY 5, 1870.
THE BILL OF FARE.
Mr. Gladstone (the “Chef”). “Irish stew first, Mrs. B., and then——”
Mrs. Bright (the Cook). “Lor bless you, Mr. G., the Irish stew’s quite as much as they’ll get through, I’ll be bound!”
Commenting on the difficulty of passing several important measures in one Session, Mr. Bright had said, “It was not easy to drive six omnibuses abreast through Temple Bar.”—1870.
No. 38.
CARTOON.—JANUARY 13, 1872.
“OFF GREENWICH.”
John Bright. “Come aboard, sir!”
Captain Gladstone. “Glad to see you, John. Glad you’re A.B. again. If it comes on to blow, we may want your assistance.”
Mr. Bright had withdrawn from the Ministry on account of ill-health. His re-appearance in Parliament tended to strengthen the now weakened Administration.—1872.
No. 39.
CARTOON.—OCTOBER 11, 1873.
A FRIEND IN NEED.
Mr. Gladstone. “My dear John, I congratulate you! Just in time to settle accounts with our black friend yonder!”
John Bright. “H’m! Fighting is not quite in my line, as thee knowest, friend William; nevertheless——!”
Several important changes had been made with the view of strengthening the Cabinet. Amongst others, Mr. Bright again accepted office as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The Ashantee War was now in progress.—1873.
No. 40.
CARTOON.—FEBRUARY 13, 1875.
THE NEW SHEPHERD.
Hartington (new hand, just taken on). “Hey, but measter!—Where be the Sheep?”
Mr. Bright’s nomination of Lord Hartington as Leader of the shattered Liberal Party was acquiesced in by the rival candidates.—1875.
No. 41.