"Lord Chatham (left) flies across the Channel towards the English coast on a wooden horse, mule, or ass with feathered wings. Two little puppets labelled 'Dutch Dolls' are placed before him on his saddle. From two ends of a rope passing across the animal's back fly out (left) five dismantled ships inscribed 'Castles in the Air Wooden Ones', and (right) three large labels inscribed respectively: 'Walcheren Beveland'; 'Plan and Fortifications of Flushing'; 'Loss in Killed & Wounded Sick List'. The animal emits a blast from its rump inscribed 'Rockets Devil take the hindmost'. Chatham, with drawn sword, blandly addresses John Bull and his wife who stand on the shore (right) looking up at him: "Here I am my Dear Johnny escaped from Fire, Water, Plague, Pestilence & Famine My Fireworks have given general Satisfaction abroad-I must now Couch on a bed of Roses [see British Museum Satires No. 10558, &c]- and hope when I awake to be rewarded with a Pension and Dukedom for brilliant Services". John, a fat 'cit', holding out a cudgel and clenching his fist, says: "General Cheathem flying back as I foretold garnish'd with dross and Dutch Metal Where is the Ten Million of British Bullion you Scarecrow-the Sinking Fund suits your talents better than Sinking of Ships". His fat wife, holding up a little parasol, exclaims: "Lord Mr Bull what a Man of Mettle it is". Sailing towards land is a small vessel, a sail inscribed 'Commodore Cur-Tis'; the only occupant is Curtis, waving his hat and shouting: "A New Contract for Mouldy Buisciuts-Expeditions for ever Huzza". On the horizon (left) land is indicated, with buildings and a flag; above are the words 'Mortality at Flushing'."--British Museum online catalogue.
Description:
"Price one shilling coloured.", Plate numbered "108" in upper left corner., Printmaker from British Museum catalogue., and Title etched below image.
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Chatham, John Pitt,--Earl of,--1756-1835--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., and Tegg, Thomas, 1776-1845, publisher.
Subject (Topic):
John Bull (Symbolic character)--Caricatures and cartoons.