This cartoon, published in Vanity Fair on 18 October 1873, was one of a series of 'Statesmen' which the cartoonist Leslie Ward ('Spy') drew in the latter half of the 19th century. Each cartoon was accompanied by a commentary on the subject.

That of the duke, at the age of 28, paints a picture of idleness and dissipation -phrases such as 'it is the curse of his life that he has never learnt to find pleasure in aught but idlesse...public affairs...appear to be the special object of his aversion...learning nothing, hunting 5 days a week...his betting book is usually a sorry sight on settling day'.

But in spite of these failings 'he has in him the making of a gentleman whose life should be of service to his country. All that has ever been objected to him was such follies as few untamed youths in his position would have avoided...in the graver matters he is a generous minded and perfectly honourable man'.