print;
satirical print
- Museum number
- 1948,0214.942
- Title
- Object: The Alnwick bell-man.
- Description
-
The Duke of Northumberland walks in profile to the right, stooping and holding on his head, like a hat, a large bell, on which is the profile of Matthew Bell. He wears a star, tail-coat, and tight pantaloons with Hessian boots. He says: 'If I can support this Bell, it shall ring a Reform change or two yet, they shall have another Peal ['a' crossed out and replaced with an 'e'] in the House'. Behind (left) is John Bull holding up his hat and trudging along; he exclaims, frowning, 'D—me I'd walk a hundred Miles at my own expence for Howick & Beaumont, for the King & for the People'. In the middle distance (right) are a man and boy, both very thin, breaking stones. The boy says: 'I say Daddy! here's the show folk coming to the Election, yonder goes the Clown he seems dress'd for the Farce'. The man: 'No my Boy it's only the D—ke with his Cap & Bell, he cuts a poor figure I'm afraid we'll never be able to mend his Ways'. A signpost, 'To Rotten Borough Castle', points to a castellated country house on the sky-line (Alnwick Castle). c. April 1831
Etching
- Production date
- 1831
- Dimensions
-
Height: 287 millimetres
-
Width: 216 millimetres
- Curator's comments
- (Description and comment from M. Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', XI, 1954)
In the 1831 election Matthew Bell of Woolsington, a Tory, did not venture to poll, though he issued an election address, dated 22 April; his letter of withdrawal to save the county from "the disturbance of a contest" was dated 1 May (both in B.M.L., 8133. i. 13). Beaumont and Howick the Reformers (enemies in 1826) were returned unopposed, reversing the situation in 1826, see No. 15129, &c. 'The Times', 4 May, prints a paragraph dated 1 May, Newcastle: "Poor gentleman! after enduring a thousand mortifications he politically expired in the committee room this afternoon . . . the boroughmongering faction [is] defeated in the person of Mr. Bell." See No. 17309, &c.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1948
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1948,0214.942