As a matter of fact, it was so universally disapproved of by the public, and was the object of so much ridicule, as to necessitate the destruction of nearly all the vast number prepared for issue. To do this, a machine had to be specially constructed; the attempt to do the work by fire, in close stoves (fear of robbery forbade the use of open ones), having absolutely failed. They are now somewhat scarce, but are extensively forged. It was satirized and laughed at by all, and a contemporary criticism, which has been reproduced in _The Philatelist_, vol. vii., p. 145, is very amusing: “Britannia is sending her messengers forth To the East, to the West, to the South, to the North: At her feet is a lion wot’s taking a nap, And a dish-cover rests on her legs and her lap. To the left is a Mussulman writing a letter, His knees form a desk, for the want of a better; Another believer’s apparently trying To help him in telling the truth, or in lying. Two slaves ’neath their burden seem ready to sink, But a sly-looking elephant ‘tips us the wink’; His brother behind, a most corpulent beast, Just exhibits his face, like the moon in a mist. On each is a gentleman riding astraddle, With neat Turkey carpets in lieu of a saddle; The camels, behind, seem disposed for a lark, The taller’s a well-whisker’d, fierce-looking shark. An Arab, arrayed with a coal-heaver’s hat, With a friend from the desert is holding a chat; The picture’s completed by well-tailed Chinese A-purchasing opium, and selling of teas. The minister’s navy is seen in the rear— They long turned their backs on the service—’tis clear That they now would declare, in their typical way, That Britannia it is who has done it, not they. A reindeer and Laplander cutting through snow, The rate of their progress (down hill) seems to show. To the right, is the King of the Cannibal Islands, In the same pantaloons that they wear in the Highlands Some squaws by his side, with their infantile varments, And a friend, in the front, who’s forgotten his garments. Frost, Williams and Jones {132} have this moment been hook And are fixing the day they would choose to be cook’d. There a planter is giving and watching the tasks Of two worthy niggers, at work on two casks. Below, to the left, as designed by Mulready, Is sorrow’s effect on a very fat lady; While joy at good news may be plainly descried, In the trio engaged on the opposite side.” [Picture: Left—Lord Monteagle and Mr. Baring, Britannia, Lord Palmerston. Right—O’Connell and the Duke of Wellington]