Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

J T, pseud.  [John Tenniel] *

Subjects:

Politics, Government, Pollution, Public Health

    Shows the usually filthy-looking Father Thames standing in his river, and talking to an 'Hon[ourable] Member' who leans on a wall near the Palace of Westminster, clutching a document entitled 'Bribery Commission'. The politician, who is on his way to being cross-examined for charges of corruption, calls the Thames a 'Horrid Dirty Old River', but Father Thames retorts, 'Don't you talk, mister whatsyername! Which of us has the cleaner hands, I wonder?'. This is a reference to a royal commission investigating foul practices at elections in Great Yarmouth, Reigate, Totnes, and Lancaster.