A large man in bed after giving birth to a mouse; referring to the Duke of Buckingham's attempt to introduce his own 'Reform Bill' which excluded disenfranchisement. Coloured lithograph by J.Doyle, 1832.

  • Doyle, John, 1797-1868.
Date:
[23 April 1832]
Reference:
12237i
Part of:
HB Sketches
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Description

The Duke of Buckingham says: "Oh! doctor I feel greatly exhausted." , the doctor (Sidmouth) replies: "After so severe a labor it is but natural I would recommend you a composing draught, and to keep very quiet." Eldon standing next to him says: "Well my dear, how do you find yourself". The nurse (Wellington) who is holding the mouse says: "I think a very nice little thing, and far handsomer than a certain great Bantling that I could name", the other two nurses (Aberdeen and Lyndhurst) say respectively: " Certainly quite unlike all other offsprings of 'La Montagne", and "Well it must be confessed my little buck that you had a Stow-age enough however."; the three male spectators comment: "What a pretty little thing", "The miserable little abortion can't live", and "They say its mama got a fright."

Publication/Creation

[London (Haymarket)] : [Thos. McLean], [23 April 1832] [([London] : A. Ducôte Lithogy.])

Physical description

1 print : lithograph, with watercolour ; border 25.2 x 33.6 cm.

Lettering

The mountain in labor. "Parturiunt montes nascetur ridiculus mus" HB.

References note

British Museum, Catalogue of political and personal satires, vol. XI, London 1954, no. 16996

Reference

Wellcome Collection 12237i

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