1-150-244 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'An Unpleasant Neighbour', 1859. 'Mr Bull, Here have I got to pay double insurance, all along of your confounded fireworks!'. John Bull presenting a bill to Napoleon III for the 9d in the pound income tax. With John Bull being depicted as an inn keeper, this illustrates the type of worker in Britain who would be most affected by such a steep rise. Napoleon, meanwhile, smirks as he places a sandwich board outside his own neighbouring shop. In July 1859, the Chancellor, Mr Gladstone, proposed to raise taxes from 5d to 9d in the pound on all incomes over £150 pa to cover the deficiency mainly caused by military and naval expenditure. The increased expenditure on armaments was supposedly in order to protect Britain against possible invasion by Napoleon III. From Punch, or the London Charivari, July 30, 1859.