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Cartoon, The Bag-Fox (Gladstone)
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Cartoon, The Bag-Fox (Gladstone)
Cartoon, The Bag-Fox -- a satirical comment on the Liberal Prime Minister, William Gladstone, at the start of the Autumn Session of parliament, during which he would introduce two pieces of legislation: the Representation of the People Bill, which would become law in December, and the Redistribution of Seats Bill, which became law the following year, and took into account the size of the population in each constituency. Both were designed to extend the suffrage, especially in rural areas, eventually resulting in more than 5.5 million men being entitled to vote. Date: 1884
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Media ID 23361762
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1884 Analogy Autumn Comment Countryman Ewart Foxes Gladstone Introduce Liberal Metaphor Minister Parliament Prime Satirical Scruffy Session Start
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This satirical cartoon, titled "The Bag-Fox: A Gladstone Speciality," was published at the commencement of the Autumn Session of parliament in 1884. The image is a scathing commentary on the Liberal Prime Minister, William Ewart Gladstone, who was about to introduce two significant pieces of legislation: the Representation of the People Bill and the Redistribution of Seats Bill. Gladstone is depicted as a bag-footed fox, a metaphorical representation of a politician cunningly manipulating the system for his own gain. The bag on his back symbolizes the bags of bribes he is believed to be carrying, as rumors of corruption and vote-buying swirled around the political sphere. The fox's disheveled appearance and the countryside setting in the background further emphasize the idea of a rural, unsophisticated politician. The Representation of the People Bill, which became law in December 1884, extended the suffrage to more than 5.5 million men, primarily in rural areas. The Redistribution of Seats Bill, which became law the following year, took into account the size of the population in each constituency, ensuring a more equitable representation of the population in parliament. This cartoon serves as a reminder of the political climate during the late Victorian era and the satirical commentary that accompanied the introduction of significant legislative changes. The bag-footed fox, with its clever use of analogy and metaphor, continues to be a fascinating glimpse into the world of 19th-century British politics.
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