Phrenological head of Sir Robert Peel as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Lithograph, ca. 1844.

Date:
[1844?]
Reference:
13435i
Part of:
Follit's Phrenology
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Description

The lettering refers to the phrenological organ allocated to each section of the head. 1. Benevolence: Peel stands on a platform holding corn before a crowd of supplicants. 2. Secretiveness: Peel stands astride a locked trunk marked "Peel's opinions". 3. Firmness: Peel, keeling over backwards, is pushed upright by the Duke of Wellington and Queen Victoria. 4. Adhesiveness: a blank space, suggesting lack of steadfastness. 5. Distructiveness [sic]: Peel applies a syphon marked "Income tax" to the side of a bull which has a name-tag "Taxes". 6. Comparison: before election Peel goes down on bended knee to beseech the electors, while after election they go down on bended knee to beseech him. 7. Wonder: Peel ponders his future. 8. Hope: Peel as a Jack o'Lantern leads the manufacturers into a swamp by holding out a lantern marked "Protection". 9. Cautiousness: Peel stands blindfolded in front of bales marked "League" (i.e. Anti-Corn Law League) and "State trials". 10. Language: Peel as a three-headed statue saying "Yes" (left), "No" (right), and "I reserve my opinion" (centre)

Publication/Creation

[London] (22 St Martins Court) : J. Follit, [1844?] ([London?] : W. Kohler)

Physical description

1 print : lithograph.

Series

Lettering

Phrenological survey of the head of a (very) Prime Minister. ... Series title is followed by: "to be continued" Lettering continues: Organs. No. 1. Benevolence. 'Think, oh grateful, think how good the God of harvests is to you.' Thompson. 2. Secretiveness. Curious case of a lock jaw. 3. Firmness. Shored up to make sure of him. 4. Adhesiveness. Non. Est. as Sir Robert sticks to nothing, nor at nothing. 5. Distructiveness [sic]. Sir Robert's 'Best Bull.' Song by the drover, 'then you'll remember me.' Balfe. 6. Comparison. Before and after election: 'Pretty pretty mocking bird.' Bishop. 7. Wonder. I wonder how long I shall keep my office. 8. Hope. The real Jack o'Lanthern. Hope like the glimmering taper's light adornes and cheers the way, / and still as darker grows the night, emmits a brighter ray. 9. Cautiousness. Open your mouth and shut your eyes, and see what chance will send you. Peels policy. 10. Language. A man so various that he seemed to be, / not one, but all mankinds epitome, / Proteus, for shape, and mocking bird for tongue. Dryden.

References note

Too late for the British Museum, Catalogue of political and personal satires, London 1870-1954

Reference

Wellcome Collection 13435i

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