Obstructives Punch 59 (1870) by John Tenniel, whose initials appear lower left. Click on image to enlarge it.
Mr. Punch (to Bull A 1). “Yes, it’s all very well to say, ‘Go to School!’ How are they to go to school with those people quarrelling in the doorway. Why don’t you make ’em ‘Move On’?”
The hats of those blocking the doorway to children’s education identify those on the left as clergy of the Church of England while those in the center and left are various nonconformists. Mr. Punch here emphasizes the fact that the disagreements among Anglicans, nonconformists, and those who wanted secular education proved a major barrier to writing an act for universal education.
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Last modified 29 March 2011