Unhappy Ghosts Crossing the Styx: In Base-relief
John Doyle|William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne|Thomas Spring Rice, 1st Baron Monteagle|Henry Peter, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux|William IV, King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|Henry Peter Brougham|Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston|Ducôte and Stephen|John William Ponsonby, 4th Earl of Bessborough|Thomas McLean
December 11, 1834 · Lithograph · Drawings and Prints
This satire uses a passage from Virgil's Aeneid (VI.126) to comment on contemporary politics. William IV is cast as Charon ferrying former ministers over the Styx and taking their seals of office as tolls. Lord Melbourne has landed and walks away, Lord Duncannon hands his seal to the ferryman, followed by Lord Palmerson and Thomas Spring Rice. The Duke of Wellington at the stern, as Mercury, prevents Lord Brougham from escaping. Quoting Virgil, the Duke reminds the ex-Chancellor how much easier it is to fall than to rise again: "facilis descensus Averni," a reference to the Chancellor's recent speaking tour that lost him the king's favor. In response the Chancellor exclaims "Flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo," which can be freely translated as - if I cannot subdue the House of Lords, I will stir up a commotion in the Birmingham Political Union.
- Artist
- John Doyle|William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne|Thomas Spring Rice, 1st Baron Monteagle|Henry Peter, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux|William IV, King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|Henry Peter Brougham|Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston|Ducôte and Stephen|John William Ponsonby, 4th Earl of Bessborough|Thomas McLean
- Date
- December 11, 1834
- Medium
- Lithograph
- Department
- Drawings and Prints
- Credit line
- The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 2014