(DICKENS, Charles) K., S. (Pickwick Papers) The "Laisser Aller" Principle: (Vide Sir R. Peel's speech on the increase of Manufactures exported). n.p. [c.1837]
Single sheet, approx. 20 x 30cm, printed on recto only; one or two marginal tears without loss.
¶A satirical squib, with a quotation from Pickwick Papers, at the expense of Sir Robert Peel. With a crude woodcut depicting a tight-reined pony pulling a comically large-wheeled hansom cab. Beneath the image, a six-line quotation from Pickwick Papers: "He always falls when he's took out of the cab ... but when he's in it, we bears him up very tight ... and we've got a pair 'precious big wheels on: so ... they run after him, and he must go on - he can't help it". This gently mocking squib appears to be contemporary with the first publication of Pickwick, dating it to the time of Robert Peel's leadership of the Conservative opposition. The implication is that Robert Peel benefits from a strong entourage, and pointed in the right direction is able to get things done relatively efficiently, but left to his own devices lacks direction and impetus. The 'laisser aller' ('let go') principle is a play on Peel's championing of 'laissez faire' politics. PLEASE NOTE: For customers within the UK this item is subject to VAT.