"Britannia, terrified, faint, and dishevelled sits on the ground supported by Addington and Hawkesbury, and defended by Sheridan, a Silenus-like and ragged Harlequin. They are on the coast towards which are advancing many rowing-boats filled with little French soldiers. Napoleon stands with drawn sword in the foremost boat, a tiny figure with a large head and no body, to show that he is Nobody, as in BMSat 5570, &c. The distant French coast (right) is covered with troops marching towards the shore. Clouds of smoke rise from the beach, which is concealed by the foreground. Britannia, wearing Roman dress with cothurnes, raises her arms, and shrieks (parodying Hamlet): "Doctors & Ministers of dis grace defend me!" The 'dis' is scored through but conspicuously legible. Addington holds a bottle of Gunpowder to her nose, and looks in alarm at the approaching army. He says: "Do not be alarm'd my dear lady! the Buggabo's (the Honest Gentlemen, I mean,) are avowedly directed to Colonial service, - they can have nothing to do Here - my Lady! - nothing to do with Us! - do take a Sniff or two, to raise your Spirits, and try to stand, if it is only upon One Leg!" Hawkesbury looks down with deep melancholy, supporting her (cracked) shield, and holding her (damaged) spear. He says: "Yes my Lady, you must try to Stand up, or we shall never be able to "March to Paris"". Sheridan holds Harlequin's wooden sword of 'Dramatic-Loyalty' in his right hand (cf. BMSat 9916). On his left arm is a shield with Medusa's head, the snaky locks inscribed: 'Abuse', 'Bouncing', 'Puffing', 'Detraction', 'Stolen Jests', 'Malevolence', 'Stale Wit', 'Envy'. He wears a hat turned up in front with a tricolour cockade; its crown is a fool's cap with two ears and a bell. Round his paunch is a tricolour sash through which is thrust a paper: 'Ways and Means to get a Living'. He shouts in defiance at the distant army: "Let 'em come! - dam'me!!! - where are the French Buggabo's? - single handed I'd beat forty of 'em!!! dam'me, I'd pay 'em like Renter Shares, sconce off their half Crowns!!! - mulct them out of their Benefits, & come ye Drury Lane Slang over 'em!" Behind, between Addington and Sheridan, is the head of Fox, holding his hat before his eyes; he says: "Dear me - what can be the reason of the Old Lady being awak'd in such a Fright? - I declare I can't see any thing of the Buggabo's!" In the foreground lies a long torn scroll, headed 'Treaty of Peace.'"--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Britannia recover'd from a trance and Britannia recovered from a trance
Description:
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue. and Title etched below image.
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Fox, Charles James,--1749-1806--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher., Liverpool, Robert Banks Jenkinson,--Earl of,--1770-1828--Caricatures and cartoons., Napoleon--I,--Emperor of the French,--1769-1821--Caricatures and cartoons., Sheridan, Richard Brinsley,--1751-1816--Caricatures and cartoons., and Sidmouth, Henry Addington,--Viscount,--1757-1844--Caricatures and cartoons.
"Britannia (right), fat, good-natured, and richly dressed, holding a fan, is kissed by a tall lean French military officer who bends forward, holding her below the shoulders. He is war-worn, his pigtail stands awkwardly erect and his hair straggles over his face, while the crown of his head is almost bald, as if plucked (cf. BMSat 10072). He wears jackboots ; his hat and sword lie on the ground beside him. She is almost spherical; her shield and trident, replacing the usual spear, lean against the wall behind her and out of sight. He says: "Madame, permittez me, to pay my profound esteem to your engaging person! & to seal on your divine Lips my everlasting attachment!!!" A cynical and sensual grin indicates the character of his advances. She smiles with coy complacency, saying, "Monsieur, you are truly a well-bred Gentleman! - & tho' you make me blush, yet, you Kiss so delicately, that I cannot refuse you; tho' I was sure you would Deceive me again!!!" Above their heads are oval bust portraits of Napoleon (left) and George III (right), the two men extending their arms as if to shake hands; the King scowls, Napoleon regards him with brooding suspicion. The frames are bordered by olive branches and palm-branches."--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Meeting of Britannia & Citizen Francois and Meeting of Britannia and Citizen Francois
Description:
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue. and Title etched below image.
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., George--III,--King of Great Britain,--1738-1820--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., Humphrey, Hannah, active 1774-1817, publisher., and Napoleon--I,--Emperor of the French,--1769-1821--Caricatures and cartoons.