Waking-Up!

John Tenniel, artist

Swain, engraver

Punch (25 August 1883)

Mr. Bull. “There’s a Cheque on account. Glad to see your firm so active at last!”

Manager. “Yes, Sir, —orders executed with celerity and despatch; and we hope, by punctuality and strict attention to present business, to merit a continuance of favours!!”

Mr. Punch comments wryly on the Gladstone’s ministry, which complacently relied on British seapower to protect both the Mediterranean and the crucial route to India, finally recognized that newly created French and Russian fleets were a major threat.

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