EXTRACTS FROM THIS WEEK’S “PUNCH”.
YANKEE VALENTINE.
Lincoln to the Star of the North.
Friend Bright, I hope that thou’lt not take amiss
Some lines poetic from an ex-Wood-cutter,
Thy bunkum might well suit a place like this,
Would I cut my stick I often mutter[,?]
In our smart nation how the star would shine!
Why not come, then, and be our Valentine?
Title:Yankee Valentine
Author:unknown
Publication:The Bolton Chronicle
Published in:Bolton
Date:14th February 1863
Commentary
This Punch satire, published on Valentine’s Day 1863, portrays President Lincoln making romantic overtures to the British Liberal MP John Bright. This was not long after Lincoln had written his famous letter of thanks to Manchester for its support of the Union in the conflict, in the face of the British government’s professed neutrality. Bright was a leading light in the British support for Emancipation, and declared northern English support for the Union was seen by Lincoln as a useful propaganda coup. – SR