An imperial stride! [graphic].

"A colossal figure of Catherine II steps from 'Russia', a rocky mound on the extreme left, to 'Constantinople', her toe resting on the horn of a crescent which surmounts a spire on a group of buildings, with a dome and a minaret. Her head is turned in profile to the right; in her left hand is an orb, in her right she holds out a sceptre over Constantinople, at which she looks with a determined frown. Beneath her petticoats, and strung out between 'Russia' and 'Constantinople' are the heads and shoulders of seven sovereigns, gazing up at her. On the extreme left is a man wearing the cap of the Doge of Venice, saying, "To what a length Power may be carried". Next is the Pope wearing his triple crown, saying, "I shall never forget it". Next is the King of Spain, saying, "By Saint Jago, I'll strip her of her Fur!" Louis XVI says "Never saw any thing like it". George III says "What! What! What! What a prodigious expansion!" The Emperor says "Wonderful elevation". The Sultan says "The whole Turkish Army wouldn't satisfy her"."--British Museum online catalogue.