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The Funeral of Tory-principle: Dutifully Dedicated to the Holy Alliance

Publisher Thomas McLean British
April 1827
Not on view
This political satire responds to an event that weakened the Tory Party's long hold on political power in Britain. On April 9, 1927, the Prime Minister, Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool (1770-1828) retired from office, having suffered a stroke. A series of ministries backed by collations followed. The procession shown here follows a mute and includes Tory mourners who wear cloaks and scarves as they walk in pairs. The leaders are John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon (1751–1838), with a handkerchief to his eye and the Duke of Wellington (1769–1852). Next come Henry Bathurst, 3rd Earl Bathurst (1762–1834) and Sir Robert Peel (1788–1850) followed by Robert Dundas, 2nd Viscount Melville (1771–1851) in a Scots cap and tartan trousers, and John Fane, 10th Earl of Westmorland (1759–1841) in top-boots. Then Charles William Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry (1778–1854) in the uniform of the Tenth Hussars. He walks with an unidentified companion. They are followed possibly by Nicholas Vansittart, 1st Baron Bexley (1766–1851 Bexley) and Henry Goulburn (1784–1856) who squints. The man on the extreme right is almost hidden. There is a background of weeping-willows at right and, at left, a tombstone with skull and cross-bones, inscribed "Memento Mori and Requiescat in pace."

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Funeral of Tory-principle: Dutifully Dedicated to the Holy Alliance
  • Artist: John Doyle (Irish, Dublin 1797–1868 London)
  • Publisher: Thomas McLean (British, 1788–1875)
  • Date: April 1827
  • Medium: Hand-colored etching and aquatint
  • Dimensions: Plate: 10 1/2 × 14 5/8 in. (26.7 × 37.2 cm)
    Sheet: 10 1/2 × 17 1/8 in. (26.7 × 43.5 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Gift of Jill Spalding, 2022
  • Object Number: 2022.309.30
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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