Title:
THE OLD WHITE LION Materials:
paper Techniques:
lithograph Production person:
Print made by John Doyle (HB) Printed by: Charles Motte Published by: Thomas McLean Production place:
London, England Date: July 1829 Schools/Styles:
British satire
[BM Satires 15831]
Description No. 3. Eldon sits in his study in an arm-chair, surrounded by books and papers, directed slightly to the left, elbow on a pile of books. He scowls sideways at Wellington, who enters from the right, holding his hat. The Duke extends his hand, saying, 'Come my old friend—dont take your defeat so much to heart—You fought well! & altho' you did throw a large paving Stone at me, I—'. Eldon interrupts: 'Poh! I threw no paying stone at you—but you all like to have a dash at the Old Chancellor!' Behind (right), Lyndhurst, in wig and gown, looks round the door, saying, 'There he is—just like an old white Lion' [cf. BM Satires No. 16377].
British Museum Curator's comments
(Description and comment from M. Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', XI, 1954)
For the 'paving stone' see No. 15721. The final speeches of Eldon and Wellington on Emancipation were filled with bitter antagonism. 'Parl. Deb.', N.S. xxi. 622-40, 688-94; Greville, 'Memoirs', 1938, i. 288. In May reconciliation followed mutual courtesies in the Lords between Eldon and Lyndhurst. Atlay, 'Victorian Chancellors', i. 68.