Transient Triumph

Transient Triumph

John Tenniel, artist

Swain, engraver

Punch (17 June 1882)

Sultan adapting Shylock to his purpose. “Signor Gladstonio, in the Fortnightly, have you slated me about your moneys — and my use of ’em; still have I met it with a cheerful wink, for borrowing is the trick of all my tribe. . . . ” [ellipsis in original]

As the Sultan indicates, Gladstone’s supposed triumph is indeed very transitory. England, after all, needs Turkey as a buffer against Russia in both the Mediterranean and in Egypt, which is officially a Turkish province. And England and the Europeans continue to lend Turkey money.

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