Arthur Balfour speaking in the House of Commons by Harry Furniss
Illustration by Harry Furniss (1854-1925) from Cassell's Century Edition History of England, pub circa 1905. The Phrase "Bob's your uncle" may have come from the succession to the premiership of Balfour to his Uncle Robert Gascoyne-Cecil. Info from wiki: "The Souls" were formed as a response to the damper on social life caused by the political tension of the Irish Home Rule debate. Existing social circles were rent by angry arguments between proponents and opponents of the Gladstone ministry's efforts in 1886 to bring about full Home Rule. Many people in society wanted a salon where they could meet without fighting about politics. The name of the group was bestowed by Lord Charles Beresford, who is quoted as having said: "You all sit and talk about each other's souls — I shall call you the 'Souls'".
Size: 3407px × 3187px
Photo credit: © Historical Images Archive / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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