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A Difficult Part, 1881. Artist: Joseph Swain
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A Difficult Part, 1881. Artist: Joseph Swain
The Liberal Prime Minister, William Gladstone, is shown standing beside a table loaded with all the matters he must deal with during his term in office. Many of them relate to his predecessors time in office. This cartoon was prompted by the Boer War which started under Disraelis government. An armistice had been agreed recently, but in the House, Gladstone explained that although he, and many other Liberals, had opposed the annexation of the Transvaal, he could not see a way in which to reverse the action. He tried to reassure the House that the Government could fulfil its obligations as laid out in the Queens Speech. This had stated the governments intention of pursuing military measures to reinforce the Royal authority, a statement which hardly accorded with the recently declared armistice. From Punch, or the London Charivari, March 19, 1881
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Media ID 14831713
© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images
1880 1881 Boer War Busy Gladstone Heritage Image Partnership John Tenniel Joseph Swain Liberal Liberal Party Paperwork Prime Minister Sir John Tenniel Swain Tenniel William Ewart William Ewart Gladstone
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this print titled "A Difficult Part, 1881" we are transported back to a crucial moment in British history. The renowned artist Joseph Swain skillfully captures the essence of the Liberal Prime Minister, William Gladstone's challenging term in office. Standing beside a table overloaded with paperwork and matters that demand his attention, Gladstone appears burdened by the weight of responsibility. The cartoon was inspired by the Boer War, which had commenced during Disraeli's government. Although an armistice had recently been agreed upon, Gladstone found himself grappling with the aftermath of his predecessor's decisions. In addressing the House, he acknowledged his opposition to annexing Transvaal but admitted being unable to reverse it. Despite this setback, Gladstone sought to reassure both his colleagues and the nation that his government would fulfill its obligations as outlined in Queen Victoria's Speech. However, these intentions seemed contradictory given their pursuit of military measures while simultaneously declaring an armistice. Swain's masterful caricature highlights not only Gladstone's predicament but also serves as a scathing satire on politics and power struggles within nineteenth-century Britain. Through monochrome engraving techniques and sharp details characteristic of John Tenniel’s style (who collaborated on this piece), every line conveys a sense of urgency and complexity surrounding political decision-making. This heritage image partnership between William Ewart Gladstone, Joseph Swain, and John Tenniel offers us a glimpse into one man's struggle amidst turbulent times—a timeless reminder that even great statesmen face difficult choices when confronted with conflicting circumstances.
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