At the top of a cliff overlooking the sea, Don Quixote (personifying Spain) and Sancho (a Dutchman) discuss plans for a seige while a monkey (representing France) stands on the neck of the Don's horse, pointing toward the moon in which is visible the fortress at Gibraltar. A reference to plans for the combined attack on Gibraltar by French and Spanish forces. The attack came in September of 1782 and was repulsed by the British
Description:
Title from item., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., and Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
Publisher:
Pubd. Augt. 22d, 1782, by H. Humphrey, New Bond Street
"[Left image]: A stout English soldier pursues with clenched fists two French soldiers, who are emaciated 'petits-maîtres'. They wear long pigtail queues, ruffled shirts, and large top-boots. The Englishman says, "Lower your Topsails Monsieurs"; the Frenchmen say "We are bold Frenchmen". The Englishman is trampling on a French flag which lies on the ground. A British flag is partly visible on the left behind the Englishman. In the distance (right) a party of French soldiers is seen in flight, over them is inscribed, "Run Frogs". [Right image]: A French soldier (left), with clenched fists, kicks the back of a fat English soldier. He says "Begar zee will make you nozv lower your Topsails". The fleeing Englishman looks round to say "I'm an English man of War". In the distance (right) English soldiers with a flag, the words "Run Beef Heads" inscribed over their heads, are in flight. The British flag, inscribed "Discolour'd", lies on the ground. A French flag, inscribed "Lewis le Grand", extends over the head of the victorious Frenchman."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Time past
Description:
Titles etched below images., Two designs etched side-by-side on one plate, each with its own title and imprint statement., and Lewis Walpole Library impression: sheet cut down the middle and the two images matted together.
Publisher:
Pub. by E. Hedges, Jany. 20, 1782, Cornhill and Pub. Jany. 20, 1782, by E. Hedges, Cornhill
Subject (Topic):
Soldiers, British, French, Wigs, Boots, Flags, Military retreats, and Kicking
