A bear wearing a spiked helmet and a gun is walking over a bridge marked "Protocol" which is supported by rulers of different countries. Drawing by M.C.P. (?), 12 July 1877.

1877

1 drawing : ink ; image 18 x 24.6 cm

"Pons Asinorum!" ; M.C.P. 12/7/77 In the water in which the bridge-supporters are standing is written "East[ern] Questio[n]". Of the men supporting the bridge, the man on the left resembles Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria, and the man on the right Wilhelm I, Emperor of Germany. The man in the middle may be John Bull, representing Great Britain. The implication seems to be that Russia (the bear) is taking advantage of protocol to attack Turkey, while Austria, Germany and Great Britain are disadvantaged by observing the protocol

The initials of the author, written in Gothic characters, may be MCP or MCQ

Wellcome Collection 573485i