- Museum number
- 1868,0808.12297
- Title
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Object: Weird sisters, preparing for the royal visit.
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Object: The spirit of aristocracy receiving an open vote
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Object: Air gunnery or carriage window sport!!!
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Object: The youths' own cards
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Object: The spirit of aristocracy receiving a vote by ballot!!!
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Object: Theatricals, new ballet of action, the editor and the head-hitter.
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Object: A fable for the agitators.
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Object: Newspaper readers file 1st.
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Object: Newspaper readers file 2d.
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Object: Newspaper readers file 3d.
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Object: Italian restriction,
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Object: British freedom,
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Object: Taking an oath.
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Object: Owen's plan. | A mutual labour committee
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Object: Combination and equality
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Object: Literary leisure.
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Object: Lady patronesses or almacks versus royalty.
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Series: The Looking Glass No. 11
- Description
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Lithographic caricature magazine of four pages on two leaves, in the form of a (monthly) newspaper; illustrations as follows. 1 November 1830
Page 1.
WEIRD SISTERS, PREPARING FOR THE ROYAL VISIT. (16287)
Three grotesquely bloated aldermen in gowns are the witches of Macbeth; they prepare a cauldron decorated with the City Arms, burlesqued, for Lord Mayor's Day dinner. Each has a tall mace. One (left) holds up a turtle by the leg, about to plunge it into the pot, saying, 'Turtle that under some cold stone / Days & nights full thirty one / Rich green fat hath sleeping got / Boil we first i' the city pot'. The next slides fish from a slab, a finger to his lips: 'Sturgeon, Cod, Turbot to (but hark!) / If some's not fresh keep that i' the dark'. The third (right) stirs the fire with his mace: ''Twill take of coals at least a chaldron / To boil the ingredients of our cauldron'. Behind him the head and winged shoulders of Sir W. Curtis (d. 1829) appear amidst steam from the pot, which he watches with benevolent surprise. Below the title: 'Hubble bubble toil & trouble fire burn and cauldron bubble' ['Macbeth', iv. i, misquoted]. (A fortuitously appropriate satire, see No. 16303, &c. For the witches' brew cf. No. 9962 by Gillray; for Curtis see vols, vi, viii-x.)
THE SPIRIT OF ARISTOCRACY RECEIVING AN OPEN VOTE (16288)
A hideous fellow, with moustache and pigtail, wearing a marquess's coronet inscribed 'Privileges', stands in profile to the left, raising a heavy cross-hilted sword inscribed 'Undue Influence' to smite down a diminutive, thin, and ragged elector who hands up to him a paper inscribed 'Plumper', covering his face with his hand. The tyrant snorts a cloud inscribed 'Moral Pestilence Boroughs Bought!!' His great paunch is inscribed 'Corruption', his legs are gouty; one swaddled foot is inscribed 'Rottenness' and he tramples on 'Religion and Humanity'. The shoulder-belt for his sword has a skull for clasp. (See No. 16170. Cf. 'The Monster of Corruption' in No. 11553. A companion design to No. 16289.)
AIR GUNNERY OR CARRIAGE WINDOW SPORT!!! (16527)
Inside a carriage are two fashionably dressed youths, wearing travelling-caps, with imbecile profiles. One, seated, fires an air-gun through the window; the other touches his shoulder, saying, 'He he he! oh how funney how the glass rattles. My turn now'. Through the window are seen the corner of a house and a sign-post pointing 'To Richmond'.
THE YOUTHS' OWN CARDS (16290)
After the title: '"I'm a gay young youth" Billey Taylor'. Two designs side by side. [1] A crowned pillar inscribed 'Wood' falls towards a fugitive hare. [2] An upright crowned pillar inscribed 'Bar' stands against a cask inscribed 'Ton | Clay Balls'. The allusions (? to Harewood and Barton) are obscure, but the subject seems to be the practical jokers of No. 16527.
THE SPIRIT OF ARISTOCRACY RECEIVING A VOTE BY BALLOT!!! (16289)
The aristocrat, now without sword-belt and scabbard, is kicked behind by a sturdy gaitered countryman, larger than the abject voter of No. 16288. He staggers back, snorting 'Boroughs To Sell' and 'Impotent Rage'; his coronet falls off, his hair bristles. From his neck hangs a miniature 'Mill Stone' [i.e. debt]. The question of the ballot, regarded by Benthamites as more important than the extension of the franchise, was raised in connexion with Newcastle's conduct, see No. 15884 (Parl. Deb., N.s. xxii, 1 Mar. 1830), and in the Westminster Rev. (Oct. 1830). Bentham attributed to the ballot the resistance of French electors to Polignac. See Halévy, Hist, of the English People, 1927, iii. 26. See No. 16557.
Page 2.
THEATRICALS... (16528)
Charles Kemble, his fist clenched, strikes Westmacott across the forehead with a heavy cane, knocking him backwards; he says: 'There Rascal, Take your law, but I'll give you some justice first'. A pleased spectator in top-boots stands behind; under his foot is a newspaper, 'The Age'. Others crowd to the door (right) and look in; one says 'Alas poor Molly'; another, 'Put that in your Paper'.
A FABLE FOR THE AGITATORS. (16291)
A crowned lion with the head of William IV, its collar inscribed 'Great Brittain', stands in a cage, sternly watching a crowd of Irishmen outside, headed by O'Connell; they tug at the lion's tail, which is inscribed 'Ireland'. O'Connell's chief assistants are a bishop, a monk, and a priest in his robes. A fourth, a well-dressed layman, says 'Hurra Dan pull away we"ll soon put the tail where the Head should be'. O'Connell: 'Oh then! and wont the tail wag more "illegant" without you Mr Big Body?' The King: 'Pull My tail off!!! I've a great mind to send you all to the Devil, as I could do in a minute'. Cf. No. 16545.
NEWSPAPER READERS FILE 1st. (16529)
[1] 'TIMES—The Tradesman'. A neatly-dressed man wearing an apron reads the paper through spectacles: '"a general stagnation every thing at a stand—"' Cf. No. 16032, &c.
[2] 'CHRONICLE—The Politician'. An elderly gentleman adjusts his glasses to read: '"Bribes, Rotten Boroughs, & coruption". I wonder what's His price'.
[3] 'HERALD—Man of the World'. A man wearing a dressing-gown over waistcoat and trousers, and holding an eye-glass, exclaims, paper in hand, 'Egad! I'll advertise Myself—for a smart girl with 10000'.
[4] 'MORNING POST—The Lounger'. A dandy leans against a sideboard, reading through an eye-glass, '"To Night" the rooms will be insufferably crowded, but there will be Nobody there'.
Page 3.
NEWSPAPER READERS FILE 2nd. (16530)
[1] 'MORNING ADVERTISER—Publican'. The knock-kneed, aproned, and agitated publican reads: '"The Police are on the Sharp look out after some strongly suspected of adultering their beer"'. (The paper was founded by, and catered for, the licensed victuallers. Fox Bourne, English Newspapers, i. 285, 354)
[2] 'PRICE CURRENT—The Merchant'. The elderly reader capers delightedly: '"Starvation Famine" bravo Fine Market I could dance for joy'. Cf. No. 16032 &c.
[3] 'LONDON GAZETTE—The Pettifogger'. A lawyer sits on a high office-stool, pen in mouth, holding up the paper: '"Twelve new bankrupts"—Hurra— who says Trade's dull'.
[3] 'COURT NEWSMAN—New Baronet'. A man with a plebeian profile, in evening dress, stands on tip-toe; he reads: '"Sir John F addle" My Name looks well in the Levee list—Curst small type—dear Sovereigns worth'.
NEWSPAPER READERS FILE 3d. (16531)
[1] 'PUBLIC LEDGER—The East Ender'. A sailor in wide trousers and small hat, smokes a pipe as he reads: '"Wanted for his Majesty's Ship Lion an assistant surgeon" out o' my line'. The P. L. chiefly contained advertisements and com¬mercial items relating to shipping. Fox Bourne, op. cit., i. 196 f., 286.
[2] 'LIFE IN LONDON—The Flash Man'. A man in top-boots and tight breeches (which show him to be knock-kneed) reads eagerly, with clenched fist, 'Ned planted his fives against Bobs garret window & Bob returnd it in Neds kitchen'. (The paper had been incorporated (1827) in 'Bell's Life in London'.)
[3] 'WEEKLY FREE PRESS—The Radical'. A stout man sits with a muzzled bull-dog beside him. Cobbett's 'Political Register' indicated by its gridiron vignette (see ' No. 16123) is in his pocket. He reads: '"He concluded with down with the Boroughmongers—and—and loud cheers"—Capital Speech'.
[4] 'WORLD—The Sunday School Teacher'. A vulgar-looking man in would-be fashionable dress sucks an orange as he reads: '"The Rev Gent begd them to consider that even a penny a week subscription might be the means of saving some poor soul who whould be otherwise burning for ever and ever."—Capital orange this, werry cheap to'. 'The World', founded Dec. 1826, was the organ of the Nonconformists. Fox Bourne, op. cit. ii. 45. Cf. No. 13109.
ITALIAN RESTRICTION, (16292)
After the title: 'The unfortunate Dey of Algiers'. The Dey reclines on a carpet holding the tube of his hookah, and clenching his fist. He looks angrily at an Italian (right), in court-dress, who bows insinuatingly, saying, 'I'm very sorry your Highness but we dare not cut the mans head off, altho" he did bring you the wrong turban'. The Dey: 'Not cut a slaves head off!!! I''l go to England there I shall find Freedom'. Cf. No. 16110, &c.
BRITISH FREEDOM, (16293)
After the title: 'The Fortunate Earl of E—r'. A youngish man sitting at a table laid with decanters, pine-apples, &c, turns in his chair to speak to his agent (left), a paunchy brandy-faced attorney, who holds out a bulky document, saying, 'Pleas your Lordship hear's a list of all your tennants who voted contrary to your Lordship's injunctions'. Peer: 'Oh! very well Latitat give them all warning to quit it will starve some of the rascals'. Seated by him is an obese Devil, glass in hand, whose long barbed tail forms, a loop encircling his host. He says: 'Heres "Social order" or Things as they are!' (The name of the 'Fortunate Earl' is not among the peers of this date, but the Marquis of Exeter, a borough-owner (see No. 16573) may be intended. He acts like Newcastle, see No. 15884, &c. Cf. No. 16170, &c.
TAKING AN OATH. (16294)
The ante-room to a justice-room; a yokel in a smock stoops to kiss a book held out to him by an obese clerk; he asks: 'Pleas Zur wot be I to Zay?' The clerk, pompously, with extended hand: 'Say, This is the truth, & nothing but the truth so help Me God one & sixpence'. A second yokel waits, hat in hand. At the door stands a constable, hand in pocket, holding a staff. Through the doorway a brandy-faced magistrate is seen. Typical of the political spirit of the day, cf. No. 16267.
Page 4.
OWEN'S PLAN. | A MUTUAL LABOUR COMMITTEE (16295)
The title continues: 'Sitting for the admission of members'. Six men with tankards and pipes surround an oval table. The chairman sits (right) facing a seventh, a thin man in tattered but dandified dress, with an eye-glass hanging from a ribbon, who stands hat in hand. He says: 'You see young man we all contribute something to the general stock, I make shoes, another clothes a third brews and a fourth bakes now what can you do that's usefull?' The man answers: 'Oh! Sir I was brought up a Gentleman'. A sailor with an amputated leg exclaims: 'Why thats one of the fellows that used to call me sufferer!! you wont do'. A stout butcher stands to say 'Stop Brother Snip, the community wants a scavenger'. A man next the candidate says 'poor young man'. Below the title: 'The poor may do without the rich, combine to suply [sic] each other with the necessarys of life, live in perfect equality & have leasure to improve their minds, (owenism'.
COMBINATION AND EQUALITY (16296)
A vessel, 'The State', sinks by the stern. In the bows from the rigging hang the bodies of two naval officers. In the stern, unconscious of their doom, are crowded cheering men who wave their hats and shout: 'No Officers Hurra; Hurra No officers all hands abaft!!; All Officers all'. See No. 16295.
LITERARY LEISURE. (16297)
An obese cobbler stands by his bench, saying, 'Three O Clock! well as I have done work for to day shall I go hear a lecture on physioligy astronomy or the Belles Lettres? or shall I take a lesson in Dancing or the Piano Forte'. His wife sits on a chair, an open book, 'Elegant Extracts', on her knee, stretching and yawning violently. Through an open window are seen buildings, suggesting London University, see No. 14788; cf. No. 15115. A 'March of Intellect' theme, cf. No. 15604. (A pencil sketch for this in reverse is in the V. & A. (91 AG. 9, p. 40).)
LADY PATRONESSES OR ALMACKS VERSUS ROYALTY. (16298)
Four ladies sit together, in close conference. One (left), seated on a stool facing the others, says 'She [the Queen] not only intends wearing the hat, but sent to the grimy creatures for four more, And when they go to the Gilt Hall [see No. 16303] some vile place beyond Temple Bar She intends appearing in some vulgar stuff made by the Canaile at a place called Kittlefields so with these vulgar notions, I think we cannot admit Her!' Two of the others say 'Oh shocking!!!!!!' and 'C'est impossible!!!!!'
- Production date
- 1830
- Dimensions
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Height: 417 millimetres (approx. page size)
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Width: 291 millimetres (approx. page size)
- $Inscriptions
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- Curator's comments
- Notes to No. 16295:
For Owen see No. 12891; the results of his theories are illustrated in Nos. 16296-7. From c. 1825 to 1835 Owenite doctrines inspired communistic ideas and socialistic movements, especially among London artisans. See Hovell, The Chartist Movement, 1925, pp. 38-51. In 1831 these movements tended to become political and coalesce with the Radical Reformers in a demand for universal suffrage. Wallas, Life of Place, 1925, pp. 268 ff.
Notes to No. 16298:
They are talking of the Queen's patronage of Spitalfields silk in the interests of poor weavers. The lady patronesses were Ladies Jersey, Londonderry, Cowper, Sefton, Mrs. Drummond Burrell, Princesses Esterhazy and Lieven. Gronow, Reminiscences, 1892, i. 31.
Notes to No. 16527:
Clay bullets from a mysterious source had alarmed certain suburbs; they were traced to a chaise with post-horses whose occupants were Charles Bagot (1808-81), Capt., afterwards Col., Grenadier Guards, eldest son of Sir C. Bagot, and Frederick Dudley Ryder (1806-81), son of Lord Harrowby, and afterwards Assistant Master of Ceremonies to Queen Victoria. They paid £7 damages (for gas-lamps and windows) and expressed contrition. The Times, 19 and 20 Oct. Cf. No. 16290.
Notes to No. 16528:
On 10 Oct. Westmacott was called from a box at Covent Garden and struck by Kemble for insulting his daughter Fanny in The Age. The audience 'manifested strong dislike to Mr. Westmacott'. Fraser's Magazine, defending Westmacott, reprints 'the only two articles of adverse criticism' in The Age. One, an 'Ode to Covent Garden' has the lines ‘Soon you'll find your two pet doxies / Will leave you naught but empty boxes,’ the reference being to 'Black ey'd Susan—black ey'd Fanny'. For Westmacott see vol. x and Index.
Bound in a volume ("The Looking Glass, Vol. I") containing nos. 1 to 12 for 1830. Vols. I to VII (1830 to 1836) are kept at 298.d.12 to 18.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1868
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1868,0808.12297