1863

John Bull's Neutrality. Punch, Volume 45, October 3, 1863, p. 139

John Bull appears in the guise of a middle class proprietor whose patience is being sorely tested -- and whose trade is potentially being harmed -- by the noisy squabbling of two scowling, rock-throwing street urchins on the sidewalk outside his place of business (perhaps a pub or beef butcher's shop). His apron and sleeve guards show that he is a hard-working man who has earned the prosperity evidenced by his well-fed appearance; his knee breeches attest to his old-fashioned, conservative values; his no-nonsense stance underscores his threat to thrash both of the scrawny young miscreants if they don't cease and desist from annoying him. In contrast to his flourishing appearance, the bedraggled boys wear uniforms that appear ill-fitting, out at the knees, and patched on the elbows.

In a doggerel poem on the opposite page of the spread in which this cartoon appears, titled "Mr. Bull to his American Bullies," John Bull states his intention to trade impartially with both North and South, without being dragged into their "confounded quarrel." Though they both may fume and call him names, he will not get involved on either side -- unless their stone-throwing damages his property!