Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

J L, pseud.  [John Leech] *

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Internationalism, Politics

Institutions mentioned:

Atlantic Telegraph Company

    In the foreground John Bull is seen on a cliff, holding one end of the Atlantic telegraph, lengths of which coil around his body. The other end of the cable is being held on the distant American cliff by Jonathan, the personification of the United States of America. In holding each end of the wire, John Bull and Jonathan manage to sink a vessel containing a classical god of the sea (probably Poseidon). John Bull tells Jonathan to 'Hold fast' to which Jonathan agrees. The caption refers to the belief that the telegraph will destroy tyranny and despotism (see, for example, PU1/35/7/8).