Beauty and the Beast

The Russian Bear is seen making up to Beauty, alias the Liberal Prime Minister, William Gladstone. Russia had been seen advancing upon the Afghan holding of Penjdeh. In mid-March 1885, Mr Gladstone announced that successful negotiations had been held between Russia and Britain with the Russians promising not to advance further and the English agreeing not to support the advance of Afghan troops. On the following day, though, Russia qualified its part of the agreement by adding the proviso that Afghanistan should not advance, attack or cause any disturbance in Penjdeh.

Size 15cm x 20cm

Medium Pen and ink on paper

Publication Punch

Published 28 March 1885