Title: HOUNDS ON A WRONG SCENT or The "Red Herring" Drag Illustrated
Materials:
paper
Techniques:
lithograph
Production person:
Print made by John Doyle (HB)
Printed by: A Ducôte
Published by: Thomas McLean
Production place:
Published in London, 26 Haymarket
Date: August 29, 1836
Schools/Styles:
British satire
Description
No. 451.
A man on horseback, riding along a road from left towards right (Duke of Wellington), dragging behind a herring with a man's head, tied to a string (Lord Lyndhurst), chased by three dogs from far left (from left, Lord Duncombe, Thomas Wakley, Joseph Hume); in background, three huntsmen on horseback, calling back the dogs (Lord Morpeth, Thomas Spring Rice, Lord John Russell).
Inscriptions
Initialled by artist; series title and number at top right; lettered below image with title and publication details: 'A. Ducôte's Lithography, 70, St. Martins Lane. / Published by Thos. Mc.Lean, 26, Haymarket, August 29th, 1836.'
Inscription Content: Series title and number at top right; initialled by artist; lettered below image with title, followed by 'or / The "Red Herring Drag" Illustrated.', and publication details: 'Published by T. Mc Lean, 26, Haymarket, Augt. 29th. 1836. / A. Ducôte's Lithogy. 70, St. Martins Lane.'.
Text from 'An Illustrative Key to the Political Sketches of H.B.', London 1841:
In a debate in the House of Lords on the Newspaper Duty, Lord Lyndhurst expressed an opinion in favour of abolishing the tax altogether. When the Bill was returned to the House of Commons, the Chancellor of the Exchequer remarked on what had fallen from Lord Lyndhurst, in the following words:- "Before he sat down, he could not omit referring to certain insinuations which had been thrown out on this subject, and that, in a quarter where he had certainly least of all expected to hear them. He certainly was hardly prepared to hear parties, who had hitherto opposed any reduction at all in stamp duties upon newspapers, now holding out a sort of promise, or professing an inclination for the total abolition of those duties, [hear, hear.'] This was a bait which he was somewhat surprised to see held out; and if those who held it forth, were men who knew anything of the sports of the field, and knew what was meant by a false drag - [hear, hear, and a laugh] - if they were aware of the use of a red herring in this way, in order to get the hounds off the real scent; and if they knew also by whom such expedients were usually resorted to, they would spare him (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) from further characterising their conduct on this occasion. All he would say was, let not the parties he had referred to take up the course of the poacher on the present occasion, and impede him in the course of public utility, which he was now called upon by his duty to take up, by holding out hopes and throwing out suggestions, which they all the while knew would never be realized, [cheers.']
The Duke of Wellington is the mischievous old sportsman, using Lord Lyndhurst as a false drag. The hounds are Mr. Hume, Mr. Wakley, and Mr. T. Duncombe; the ministers, Lord Morpeth, Lord John Russell, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. S. Rice) are the huntsmen, calling the hounds off the false scent; the latter uses his whip among them as an additional persuader.
Associated names
Representation of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Representation of Thomas Wakley
Representation of Lord John Russell (later John Russell, 1st Earl Russell of Kingston Russell)
Representation of Thomas Spring Rice, 1st Baron Monteagle
Representation of John Singleton Copley, Baron Lyndhurst
Representation of Joseph Hume
Representation of Thomas Slingsby Duncombe
Representation of George William Frederick Howard, 7th Earl of Carlisle