The Royal Mail, without Opposition

June 3, 1827

Not on view

This satire responds to a British change of ministry in 1827. George IV appears as the driver of a mail-coach, with various ministers outside and inside and the primeminister George Canning as the guard at the rear. John Bull, cast as an inn-keeper, watches the galloping horses and says, "Master! vont you take a drap of brandy? it's good for your Constitution. I hopes you'll dine with us tomorrow, we shall have a fine piece of Beef & a plumb-Pudding." His wife, holding a bottle of cognac and glass, says, "Here's George! God bless him! he's one of our best customers—he always makes me take a glass of something good, and he's a very devil amongst the girls in these parts. Ha! Ha! Ha! my stars! & garters!!" The child holds out its hands towards the King and cries, "Papa! papa!" In response, the coachman-king replies, "Can't stop, my tulips, besides we've some suspicious chaps on the road who want to get the reins out of my hands, but that won't fit, and the Mail bags must be looked after—but my Guard is up to them. I'll tell you more about it next time I pass, good bye old leather wig!—yea up!"

Artwork Details

Title: The Royal Mail, without Opposition
Artist: Isaac Robert Cruikshank (British, London 1789–1856 London)
Publisher: George Hunt (British, active 1820–45)
Subject: George IV, King of Great Britain and Ireland (British, London 1762–1830 Windsor)
Subject: Sir Henry William Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey (British, 1768–1854)
Subject: William Spencer Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire (British, 1790–1858)
Subject: William, Duke of Clarence and St. Andrews (British, 1765–1837)
Subject: George Canning (British, 1770–1827)
Subject: Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (British, 1769–1852)
Subject: John Fane, 10th Earl of Westmorland (British, 1759–1841)
Subject: Sir Robert Peel (British, Bury 1788–1850 London)
Date: June 3, 1827
Medium: Hand-colored etching
Dimensions: Plate: 12 3/16 × 17 11/16 in. (31 × 45 cm)
Sheet: 13 1/16 × 18 3/8 in. (33.2 × 46.7 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Gift of Adele S. Gollin, 1976
Object Number: 1976.602.78
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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