1-150-707 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'A Friend in Need', 1873. Mr Gladstone is seen here with John Bright. In the background, an African man, dressed in skins and feathers is nonetheless armed with a very modern rifle. Recently, Gladstone had offered Bright the office of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. However, Bright took office just at the time that the Ashanti Campaign began. Sir Garnet Wolsely, the administrator on the Gold Coast, launched an expedition against Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti, as it was believed that they were threatening existing British settlements. Kumasi fell early in 1874 and peace was agreed. However, Mr Gladstone is shown as requesting John Bright's support, despite it being very well-known that Mr Bright held strong peace principles. From Punch, or the London Charivari, October 11, 1873.