ELECTION SQUIBS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2233, 14 May 1880, Page 2

ELECTION SQUIBS.

The general election has provoked the display of a rather unusual amount of political satire, both pictorial and literary. “ Punch ” and “ Eun ” are full of the appeal to the constituencies, and a variety of independent publications arc forthcoming at the same time. Of these, two of the most noticeable are issued by Messrs Blackwood and Sons, of Edinburgh, and Messrs Eobson and Sons, of London. Tbo object of tho former is more directly partisan than of the latter. The “ Liberal Misleaders ” is tho title selected by Messrs Blackwood for their brochure, which is extremely telling as to its illustrations, and very happy as to its letterpress. The prominent members of the Liberal party arc represented in every kind of ridiculous situation, and mottos selected from English authors arc printed on tho opposite page. Thus the Duke of Argyll is depicted under the title—tbo words arc Aytoun’s—“The master fiend Argyll,” sitting at' a (all desk, calculating the sale of bis work on tho Eastern Question, of which be appeared to have disposed thus far in tho following way : —“ W. E. G., 1 copy ; Lome, 1 copy; Ilanwcll, 1 copy ; Public 1 copy ; total to date, 4.” Messrs Robson’s production is different both in point of character and appearance. Entitled “ The General Election of 1880 : New Parliament, new men,new measures, new taxes it is about the size of the Christmas number of the “Graphic,” is profusely illustrated by Mr Alfred Thompson with sketches of gentlemen, and ladies, and scones, associated with the iqipcal to the constituencos, and has a. liberal allowance of instructive, diverting, and most apposite letterpress.