A satirical cartoon poster (37 x 58 cm.) on the 1857 political campaign of James Merry (1805-1877). Born in North Lanarkshire, Merry made his fortune in the iron industry. By 1871 he owned twenty-three collieries and three iron-works employing over 4500 men in five counties: Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Fife, Dumbarton and Stirling. However, he is remembered as an autocrat who treated his workers badly.
Merry ran unsuccessfully for parliament as a Liberal at Glasgow in February 1857. He was elected MP for Falkirk Burghs in April 1857 but was unseated on petition the following July. At the 1859 general election Merry was elected MP for Falkirk Burghs and held the seat until 1874.