Title: WHERE THERE'S SMOKE, THERE'S FIRE
Materials: paper
Techniques: lithograph
Production person: Print made by John Doyle (HB)
Published by: Thomas McLean
Production place: London, England
Date: JULY 3, 1847
Schools/Styles: British satire

[British Museum Satires no number]

Description
No. 776. A group of men watching a bomb lettered with 'Repeal', 'Civil War', 'Confusion', Ruin', in foreground at centre, which a man moving off to the right (Daniel O'Connell) has placed by a pillar on a plinth lettered with 'Legistlative Union'; a man kneeling in foreground at right (Edward Sugden) preparing to stifle it with a sheet of paper lettered with 'Supersedeas'; at left, a man (Lord Eliot) fills a squirt lettered with 'Arms Bill' to put it out (in background, from left to right, Sir James Graham, Lord Stanley, Duke of Wellington, Sir Robert Peel, Lord de Grey).

Curator's comments
Text from 'An Illustrative Key to the Political Sketches of H.B.', London 1844:

The Repeal agitation in Ireland during the summer of 1843, and the confusion and destruction which it threatened to inflict, are well illustrated in this sketch by a bomb-shell, with a lighted fusee; and the Ministers who are assembled in deliberation upon the best means of treating the danger, have each a characteristic speech for the occasion. Sir Robert Peel, who leans against the pillar inscribed "Legislative Union," and who was supposed to be averse to coercive measures, except in the very last extremity, trusts to the agitation burning itself out, which the Duke of Wellington pithily remarks may involve the burning of themselves at the same time. Lord Stanley, generally thought to be of a quick and decisive temper, begs to be allowed to put it out, as to which Sir James Graham cautions him, lest he should burn his fingers. Lord Eliot, the Secretary for Ireland, is preparing, by way of extinguisher, the Arms' Bill, which was brought into Parliament at the close of the session of 1843, as a measure rendered indispensable by the disturbed state of the country. On the other side, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Lord De Grey, is consulting his legal authorities to find chapter and verse for a Proclamation on the subject of Repeal Meetings, while Sir Edward Sugden, the Chancellor for Ireland, is patiently attempting to smother the flame and prevent the explosion, by the process of supersedeas, in allusion to the many Irish magistrates who were superseded in consequence of their attending Repeal Meetings. Mr. O'Connell, in the mean time, walks on undismayed, carrying in one hand the fire-brand of agitation, and with the other keeping guard over the bags of "Rent," with which his pockets are stuffed.

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