An Hieroglyphic for 1830 (caricature)

This hand-coloured print depicts a detailed and busy scene. Britannia can be seen aboard a ship at the centre, fighting airborne, fire-breathing dragons on the left, labelled ‘Anarchy’ and ‘Rebellion’. Some figures are on the ship, but most are at sea on small boats or makeshift alternatives. Each character is accompanied by a speech bubble. In this context, a hieroglyphic refers to a visual riddle where allegorical objects and symbols might replace people and places.

1830 saw the death of King George IV and a general election that resulted in political unrest and a new Whig government. Agricultural workers engaged in several riots known as The Swing Riots, this was the largest movement of social turbulence that century, extenuated by the fall of the previous government. The ship, the ‘Albion’, represents Britain.

Below Britannia is the Tory Prime Minister, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, who was voted out in November 1830 and was frequently depicted as a ratcatcher in caricatures, the rats representing the members of parliament who defected or changed parties. Here, Wellesley addresses the ship’s carpenter, ‘A’nt you a pretty sort of a ship’s carpenter? Now patching up one seam and loosening a fresh timber’. The carpenter replies, ‘Be after taking in your Jasey you Rat-catcher, and is’nt it yr [your] live-stock that’s gnaw’d her to pieces? And nothing but patching will hold her together’.

On the left, John Bull, depicted as a sailor, worries, ‘I say Captn the Hurricane blows from all quarters and seems center’d in these Sea’s, if you don’t exert all your wits down She’ll go!’ The Captain, representing the new King, William IV, reassures him, ‘Never fear master Bull while I’m my own Pilot she shall weather the storm.’ Britannia stands fiercely and perseveres, ‘Approach not infectious Monsters, Demon’s of the Storm, Blood & Famine, marks your way. – The Albion patient under long suffering shall alone triumph by – Loyalty and Prudence’.

In the bottom left corner, Charles II, Duke of Brunswick is precariously perched on a cockleshell, below which he is labelled ‘Brunswick’. His autocratic rule over the Duchy of Brunswick was overthrown by revolutionary action in September 1830. He sought exile in Paris and London indefinitely. Here, on his search for exile he considers, ‘This is sending one afloat in a cockle-shell with a vengeance. I wonder whether I can get aboard the Albion.’

Don Miguel I of Portugal is pictured struggling in the water directly to the Duke’s right, he frets, ‘Oh Miguel, Miguel thou hast scarce strength to keep thy head above water’. Portugal’s political position was flailing two years into the Liberal Wars causing British Parliament to discuss the crisis in March 1830, debating mixed parliamentary views on absolute monarchism (Portugal) and constitutional reform (Brazil). Britain ultimately sent aide and support in favour of Brazil.

A small boat labelled ‘Spain’ sinks to the right of Don Miguel. Spain was also experiencing a societal decline at the helm of King Ferdinand VII and the Inquisition. The officer complains, ‘I am sinking fast and your fat carcase is half the cause’. The priest, who holds a sack labelled ‘Gold’ and presents a crucifix above his head, replies, ‘Nay put yr [your] trust in me and you will be safe’.

On the right, an officer shouts to the Frenchmen below, ‘You are all sailing on a false bottom – your Captain’s a Pirate, and your Crew Mutineers, all steering without a Compass. Your vessel can’t weather it out.’ Jean Lafitte, who became the French Prime Minister in November, retaliates, ‘You lie Capet! She’s too firm to split and while Phillip’s her commander she’ll never sink.’ This refers to the newly appointed King Louis Philippe I. 1830 had also been a turbulent year for France including the July Revolution against the former king. This recent public unrest perhaps explains the other figure’s defeatist response, ‘I doubt it Lafitte’.

Distant ships on the right are labelled ‘Holland dismasted’ and ‘Belgium and Independence’. Belgium had experienced riots with citizens encouraged by the news of revolution in France. In 1830, the country began conflict with the Netherlands, disbanding the United Kingdom of the Netherlands.