'Just A'goin' to Begin!', 1887. Artist: Tom Merry

'Just A'goin' to Begin!', 1887. WH Smith as a fairground showman, invites the public to his show; the principal parliamentary figures are there, with Charles Parnell dressed as a bandit and Benjamin Disraeli taking the money; behind the platform panels show The Insatiable Irish Growley Wowly, Randolph the Man Sphinx and the Bulgarian Boojum. (Photo by Guildhall Library & Art Gallery/Heritage Images/Getty Images)