For the last #WellingtonWednesday before Halloween, a ghostly vision.

In Isaac Cruikshank's caricature 'A Vision of Judgement' (c1829), Wellington is haunted by a vision of Charon rowing three ghostly figures across the River Styx (a reference to Dante's 'Inferno').

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The first seated figure is Canning's ghost, holding a flag bearing the words 'Turkey, Portugal, Russia.' The image is meant to criticise Wellington's handling of foreign policy generally, and specifically the Eastern Question and the Portuguese constitutionalist movement.

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The second standing figure is Castlereagh's ghost, whose neck is still bleeding from his suicide. The last seated figure is Perceval's ghost, whose shirt is still spattered with blood from the bullet that killed him in the lobby of the House of Commons.

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Charon says ominously to Wellington 'I hope your Grace will not forget my fee,' implying that he will be rowing Wellington across the Styx and into Hell to join his colleagues.

Canning adds 'and then remember me.' Castlereagh and Perceval both echo '...and me.'

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