A woman representing the Irish church is about to be drowned by rising waters (Disestablishment), as the ghost of Gladstone holding a dagger hovers above her. Wood-engraving by W.B.(?) after T.R.E., 1868.

Gladstone's controversial Irish Church bill was eventually passed February 1869: it effectively disendowed and disestablished the Anglican church in Ireland

The woman wears a tunic inscribed 'Irish church' and holds a scroll with the words 'Act of union'. The waters around her bear the lettering 'sacrilege' and 'apostacy'

[Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified], 24 March 1868.

1 print : wood engraving ; sheet 42.7 x 27.2 cm

The rising tide ... RJB ; JB Lettering: 'The disestablishment of the Irish church was the party cry with which Mr Gladstone and his followers took office. No. 13'

Wellcome Collection 643258i