Eating the Leek

     Dr. Tupper had made a series of allegations upon Mr. Mackenzie, accusing him of nepotism; supposedly, the purchase of a contract of steel rails from the C.P.R. was awarded to a firm specifically because it benefited his brother. Mackenzie gave a final explanation at Parliament which determined these accusations as unfounded, which is represented here. You can see the word ‘explanation’ etched in the Welsh’s baton, and Dr. Tupper forced to eat the leek which represents the nature of the steel rails purchase. Though not presented in this caricature, the events of the play that lead to this confrontation revolve around Henry V asking the Welsh to duel Pistol in virtue of regal honour due to slander.