The Royal Mail, without Opposition
Not on view
This satire responds to a British change of ministry in 1827. George IV appears as the driver of a mail-coach, with various ministers outside and inside and the primeminister George Canning as the guard at the rear. John Bull, cast as an inn-keeper, watches the galloping horses and says, "Master! vont you take a drap of brandy? it's good for your Constitution. I hopes you'll dine with us tomorrow, we shall have a fine piece of Beef & a plumb-Pudding." His wife, holding a bottle of cognac and glass, says, "Here's George! God bless him! he's one of our best customers—he always makes me take a glass of something good, and he's a very devil amongst the girls in these parts. Ha! Ha! Ha! my stars! & garters!!" The child holds out its hands towards the King and cries, "Papa! papa!" In response, the coachman-king replies, "Can't stop, my tulips, besides we've some suspicious chaps on the road who want to get the reins out of my hands, but that won't fit, and the Mail bags must be looked after—but my Guard is up to them. I'll tell you more about it next time I pass, good bye old leather wig!—yea up!"
