1-150-759 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

Mosé in Egitto !!!, 1875.The Conservative Prime Minister, Disraeli, holds the key to India. This relates to the purchase by Britain's government of the Suez Canal shares. Egypt's Khedive had tried to sell them to a French company but when negotiations broke down, he offered them to the British government. This was accepted with some alacrity as shown by Disraeli's rather smug expression. The Suez Canal was often known as the key of India. From Punch, or the London Charivari, December 11, 1875.