1-150-498 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'The Abyssinian Question', 1867. Britannia is depicted holding a trident to King Theodore's midriff in the most threatening manner. The King is holding a bunch of keys towards Britannia and, in the background, the bars of a prison cell can be seen with the white hands of British prisoners clutching the bars. King Theodore of Abyssinia had recently taken into custody a number of British citizens, including a British envoy and a British consul. In late July 1867, the House of Commons debated the issue and came up with a number of plans for ensuring the release of the Britons being held. Punch, however, appears to be taking the direct route. From Punch, or the London Charivari, August 10, 1867.