A large clumsy dog (left) oddly like a bear, its collar inscribed 'Towler', sits under an oak surrounded by puppies; all bark savagely at a group of animals representing France and subject countries. Napoleon is an ape, who pushes forward an ass laden with 'Swiss Cheese'; he holds a staff on which are shackles and a cap of Liberty, and turns his head to snarl. The British dog barks "Keep off Boney"; all the puppies bark "Keep off". By the aged oak, up which ivy climbs, is a scroll inscribed 'Union' [cf. BMSat 10103, &c.]. The 'Gallic Mongrel', its collar inscribed 'Snarl', retaliates: "I bark at you I bite these". 'These' are animals to whose leg or collar is attached a heavy weight inscribed 'Liberty'. They are 'Signor', an Italian greyhound, and 'Mynheer', a ringed pig or boar. A similar weight is attached to the (Swiss) ass
Description:
Title from caption below image., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., Printseller's statement following imprint: Folios of caricatures lent out for the evening., and For further information, consult library staff.
Publisher:
Pubd. Septr. 26, 1803 by S.W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain and France
Subject (Name):
Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821
Subject (Topic):
Foreign relations, History, Foreign public opinion, and Dogs
"John Bull, a fat 'cit', is seated beside a writing-table (right) holding up a large book. On the left hand page is inscribed 'Vote of Thanks respecting the Expedition to Copenhagen'; John's pen rests on the last word, but he turns in horror to gaze at the ghosts of (left to right) Fox, Pitt, and Burke. These wear shrouds and stand on clouds; all point a menacing forefinger. Fox says: "Erase those lines from your Journal"; Pitt and Burke say "Erase". Burke wears spectacles and a Jesuit's biretta (cf. British Museum Satires No. 6026), and holds a large book inscribed 'Sublime & Beautiful' [cf., e.g., British Museum Satires No. 6361]. John wears glasses, his hair rises on his head, pushing up his ill-fitting wig. He says: "Why dont you come then and transact the business yourselves? - it is impossible I can please every body. - it is come to such a pitch now that I have no peace either with the living or the dead!!!""--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Spectres visiting John Bull
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue., and Sheet trimmed to plate mark leaving thread margins.
Publisher:
Pubd. Feby. 23, 1808, by Walker, No. 7 Cornhill
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain and Denmark.
Subject (Name):
Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, Pitt, William, 1759-1806, and Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797
Subject (Topic):
Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815, Foreign relations, John Bull (Symbolic character), Ghosts, and Writing materials
