1-150-183 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

Every One Thinks their own Crow the Fairest, 1858. Disraeli on the left, and former Prime Minister Palmerston, are both dressed in mob caps and gowns in the best tradition of nursemaids. Each holds his own 'baby' India Bill. Prior to his resignation earlier in the year, Palmerston had introduced a bill to transfer the government of British Indian possessions from the East India Company to the Crown. Barely a month later, Disraeli introduced the New India Bill. Whilst it had many features in common with the earlier bill, it departed from Palmerston's more popular proposal in several ways. Thus, the two 'nursemaids' are set on a collision course. From Punch, or the London Charivari, April 17, 1858.