The political Cerberus

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Robert Seymour
1798-1836
The political Cerberus
[London] : [G. Cowie],
wood engraving
77 x 100 mm
Peel 2130
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Probably detached from one of four issues of Whiggeries and waggeries, London : William Strange, 1834. This publication reprinted wood engravings by Robert Seymour, Robert Cruikshank, and others which had previously appeared-- often with different captions-- in Figaro in London, also published by Strange. The identical image appeared in Figaro in London, no. 78, 1833, with the same title.

Summary: 

A monstrous dog with three human heads (possibly William IV, Wellington, and Lamb) guards the English Treasury. The center head wears a tiara labelled "Tory"; the head at the right one that reads "Whig." The Whig head holds a bag (?) labelled "Office." The leftmost head is eating a steak (?) that reads "Popularity a sop." Behind the Cerberus is a pile of large bags labelled variously, "For the landed interest" (topped by a crown), "Church / £8000," "Church £90000," "Civil list," and "For the fundholder." A gun with a bayonet attached (?) is labelled "Corn laws." Two men in the background tug at bags labelled "Sinecures & pensions" and "Robberies or unfair taxes."

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