Satirical cartoon, Descent of the Great Balloon

Satirical political cartoon, Descent of the Great Balloon, showing ten politicians travelling in a hot-air balloon. Speech bubbles show the men's concerns about the rapid descent of the balloon, which has developed a leak near the top -- an analogy for their political positions in relation to Ireland. The men include Lord Melbourne, Holland, Palmerston, Duncannon, Russell, John Cam Hobhouse, and Thomas Spring Rice. The plump man whose fading image can be seen on the balloon is the Irish politician Daniel O'Connell, whose support they have benefited from, but whose popularity is now declining

1836 Analogy Ballooning Bubbles Comment Decline Descent Duncannon Escaping Faded Fading Gondola Harp Hobhouse Leak Melbourne O Connell Oconnell Palmerston Plump Popularity

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