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Another Empty Weapon, 1872. Artist: Joseph Swain
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Another Empty Weapon, 1872. Artist: Joseph Swain
Another Empty Weapon, 1872. The notorious Republican, Sir Charles Dilke, is apprehended by a tall and manly Policeman Gladstone. Recently, Sir Charles had moved that an enquiry should be held into the present state of the Civil List. The motion was rejected by 276 votes to 2. The reference to the empty weapon relates to the royal carriage in the background. At the end of February 1872, a thanksgiving service had been held at St Pauls to celebrate the recovery from illness of the Prince of Wales. Queen Victoria was touched by the loyalty of the cheering crowds. However, later in the day, when Her Majesty was taking a drive in the park, a young man called Arthur O Connor had come to the side of the carriage and had brandished a pistol. He was been protesting against the long custody of the Irish Fenian activists. Fortunately, the pistol was unloaded, just as the weapon of Sir Charles Dilke turned out to be. From Punch, or the London Charivari, March 30, 1872
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Media ID 14831566
© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images
Arrest Compartment Criminal Fenian Fenian Movement Gladstone Heritage Image Partnership John Tenniel Joseph Swain Policeman Prime Minister Protest Railway Carriage Republican Sir John Tenniel Swain Tenniel William Ewart William Ewart Gladstone Dilke Royal Carriage Sir Charles Dilke
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this print titled "Another Empty Weapon, 1872" artist Joseph Swain captures a significant moment in history. The notorious Republican, Sir Charles Dilke, finds himself apprehended by the tall and manly Policeman Gladstone. This scene unfolds after Sir Charles had proposed an enquiry into the state of the Civil List, only to have his motion rejected by an overwhelming majority. The reference to the empty weapon becomes apparent as we notice the royal carriage in the background. Just weeks prior to this incident, a thanksgiving service was held at St Paul's Cathedral to celebrate Prince of Wales' recovery from illness. Queen Victoria was deeply moved by the loyal cheers from her subjects during this eventful day. However, as fate would have it, later that same day while Her Majesty took a leisurely drive through the park, a young man named Arthur O'Connor approached her carriage brandishing a pistol. His protest against Irish Fenian activists' prolonged custody quickly turned futile when it was discovered that his weapon was unloaded – just like Sir Charles Dilke's metaphorical political ammunition. This thought-provoking image originally appeared in Punch magazine on March 30th, 1872. It serves as both a visual commentary on political power struggles and an intriguing snapshot of Victorian society grappling with social unrest amidst moments of celebration and loyalty towards their monarchy.
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