Genre:

Novel, Serial

Subjects:

Race, Descent

    Grenville Woolcomb's resentful lawyer Mr. Bradgate complains to Philip Firmin that 'to be bullied by a fellow who might be a black footman, or ought to be a crossing sweeper! It's monstrous!', but is told, 'Don't speak ill of a man and a brother [...] Woolcomb can't help his complexion' (231). Nevertheless, in the election campaign for a rotten borough which is won by Woolcomb's beery patronage, Philip and his cohorts display a derogatory 'placard, on which a most undeniable likeness of Mr. Woolcomb was designed: who was made to say, "vote for me! am i not a man and a brudder?"' (236). However, the 'tawny Woolcomb [is] the fairy' who, at the completion of the narrative, unearths from an 'old postchaise' the will which finally confirms Philip as Lord Ringwood's heir (238).

Reprinted:

Thackeray 1862