The Disputed Toll

Painting from 1875 (circa)

  • The Disputed Toll by Heywood Hardy

A new elephant, Maharajah, was bought for the Zoological Gardens at Belle Vue. He smashed the railway carriage he was placed in and so had to walk the 200 mile journey from Edinburgh to Manchester, accompanied by his keeper, Lorenzo Lawrence. A celebrated incident occurred on the journey (possibly at the Hyde Road toll gate): Lorenzo and a tollgate keeper began to argue about the charge for an elephant to use the road. Maharajah wrapped his trunk around the gate, lifted it off its hinges and walked through. Hearing the story, the people of Manchester welcomed this elephant with attitude into the city.

Painting by Heywood Hardy

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In a collection

Manchester Art Gallery

Mosley Street
Manchester
M2 3JL

Free entry Monday - Sunday 10am - 5pm (Thursday to 9pm)

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