1-150-200 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'Twin Stars, or Rival Italian Artistes', 1858. This cartoon shows Dr Wiseman, head of the Catholic Church in England. Some years previously, Cardinal Wiseman had caused a storm when he had proposed to establish a new Catholic hierarchy in England. He followed this by issuing an open letter that, rather unwisely, referred to restoring the Catholic Church in England 'to its orbit in the ecclesiastical firmament' - hence the title 'Twin Stars'. This had all taken place some eight years before the visit of the diva Marietta Piccolomini. She was a well known Italian opera singer of the period, whereas Cardinal Wiseman, whose sins may have been forgiven, but were certainly not forgotten, had lived for many years in Rome. From Punch, or the London Charivari, October 2, 1858.