Terrors of emancipation, or, A bugabo for old women and children [graphic].

"After the title: 'Dedicated to the enlightened and temperate Protestants of the united Kingdoms--.' The 'Bugabo' is held up by an Irishman in the centre of the design: a huge sheaf of straw to which is tied a mask inscribed 'Inquisition' with glaring eye-balls and fanged mouth; from the sheaf project a cross and a lighted church candle. The Irishman peeps from behind it, saying, 'Hurra! by Jasus! a'rnt I a comeing.' He terrifies a crowd of 'old women' (right) who flinch, flee, and fall. The foremost is Eldon, wearing a cap over a Chancellor's wig, and holding a 'Petition of the Old Women of Petty France Westmr against Catholic Emancipation' [cf. BM Satires No. 15716]. He says: 'Avaunt and quit my sight! Hence! Horrible shadow Hence! Hence without Hesitation!!' A little boy exclaims: 'D'ont be frightened Mother! why i'ts only straw!' A woman, holding a big birch-rod, to show that she is (?) Joseph Birch, M.P. for Nottingham, exclaims: 'Oh! this is the consequence of that fatal Thursday! O that I could give them their deserts I'd make them remember Birch!!' Of the remaining six women, one exclaims 'Indeed Sir it was not me that cried No Popery'; two others wear ducal coronets: Cumberland (moustached) says: 'Only let me catch you in Cumberlan thats all!' Newcastle (unrecognizable) adds: 'Aye or at Newcastle we'd make Pickle Salmon of him.' On the extreme left are Wellington and Peel; the Duke, who is in uniform with cocked hat, sword, and boots, says to Peel: 'That many would be frightened at straws is no more than I anticipated my worthy Colleague! -- but depend upon it they will find the Hearts of his Majestys Catholic Subjects contain as much Honor Loyalty and Gratitude as those of their fellow Countrymen of a different persuasion --and in time they will find I have made no Mistake!!' Peel, who walks hat in hand, carrying a box of 'Candi[ed] Peel', answers: 'It is with this conviction I have candidly acknowledged my change of former sentiments assured that your measures as leader of His Majesty's Government will prove as conducive to the Peace and Happiness of these realms as your Tactics when Leader of his Armies.'"--British Museum online catalogue