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The Queen in her Store-room, 1859
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The Queen in her Store-room, 1859
The Queen in her Store-room, 1859. At this time there was an ongoing struggle between France and Austria over Italian independence as the Italian states tried to rid themselves of despotic rulers. Britain was generally supportive of the Italian struggle but very suspicious of French involvement and intentions. Napoleon fought an only partly conclusive war with Austria to help achieve Italian independence of Austrian rule of some of its regions. Whilst Britain was not directly involved at this time, the conflicts in Europe revived fears of the possibility of war with France. Here, John Bull, the representative of the British People, is showing Queen Victoria the British stockpile of gunpowder. Punchs song starts, It is not that a small bird sings With aught of warning voice And bids distrust Anointed kings, Or chiefs, the Peoples Choice, We trust them all, with all our soul, We know their honours high; But still we think, upon the whole, We ll keep our powder dry. From Punch, or the London Charivari, March 5, 1859
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Media ID 14829249
© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images
Armaments Arsenal Barrel Barrels Cannon Gunpowder Heritage Image Partnership John Bull Powder Powder Keg Queen Of Great Britain And Ireland Queen Victoria Servant Store Store Room Victoria Allegorical Figure
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this print titled "The Queen in her Store-room, 1859" we catch a glimpse of an intriguing moment in history. The year is marked by the ongoing struggle for Italian independence, with France and Austria vying for control over the Italian states. Britain, while supportive of the Italians' fight against despotic rulers, remains wary of French involvement and intentions. Here we see John Bull, representing the British people, guiding Queen Victoria through their stockpile of gunpowder. The image symbolizes both trust in their leaders and a cautious preparedness for potential conflicts with France. As Punch's song suggests, they have faith in their honorable monarchs but still believe it wise to keep their powder dry. Queen Victoria's expression reflects a mix of curiosity and concern as she surveys the store-room filled with ammunition. It serves as a reminder that even during times of relative peace, tensions can arise swiftly on the European stage. This photograph captures not only a historical moment but also highlights the delicate balance between trust and vigilance that nations must navigate during uncertain times. It stands as a testament to Britain's commitment to safeguarding its interests while remaining cautiously optimistic about international affairs.
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