Transient Triumph

John Tenniel, artist

Swain, engraver

Punch (17 June 1882)

Sultan adapting Shylock to his purpose. “Signor Gladstonio, in the Fortnightly, have you slated me about your moneys — and my use of ’em; still have I met it with a cheerful wink, for borrowing is the trick of all my tribe. . . . ” [ellipsis in original]

As the Sultan indicates, Gladstone’s supposed triumph is indeed very transitory. England, after all, needs Turkey as a buffer against Russia in both the Mediterranean and in Egypt, which is officially a Turkish province. And England and the Europeans continue to lend Turkey money.

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