"The comet has the profile head of Napoleon wearing a plumed bicorne; it rushes up from the left towards the sun, the profile head of George III, much irradiated. John Bull, a carbuncled 'cit', stoops low to look through a telescope on a tripod pointing towards the comet. Napoleon looks up at the King, who gazes fixedly above his head. He has ascended from a small piece of land rising from the narrow Channel separating it from John's wider fragment. Up this a frog clambers. On the open sea ships are strung out along the horizon. John says: "Aye - Aye - Master Comet - you may attempt your Periheliums - or your Devil heliums for what I care but take the word of an Old Man you'll never reach the Sun depend upon it"."--British Museum online catalogue, description of an earlier state.
Alternative Title:
John Bull making observations on the comet
Description:
"Price one shilling coloured.", Also issued separately., Date of publication based on complete imprint on earlier state: London, Printed for Thos. Tegg, 111 Cheapside, 10th Novr. 1807. Cf. No. 10769 in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 8., Later state; former plate number "29" has been replaced with a new number, and date has been removed from end of imprint statement., Plate from: Woodward, G.M. Caricature magazine, or Hudibrastic mirror. London : Thomas Tegg, [1808?], v. 4., Plate numbered "274" in upper right corner., 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., Johnstone, Henry Arthur--Ownership., Napoleon--I,--Emperor of the French,--1769-1821--Caricatures and cartoons., Tegg, Thomas, 1776-1845, publisher., and Woodward, G. M. (George Moutard), approximately 1760-1809, artist.
Subject (Topic):
John Bull (Symbolic character)--Caricatures and cartoons.
"George III sits on the throne (right) partly concealed (as in British Museum Satires No. 10709) by a pillar which supports the heavy draperies of a canopy. The Duke of York, wearing shirt, breeches, and boots, kneels before him, with bowed back, a handkerchief held to his face. Beside him and at the King's feet, are his military coat, hat, sword, and a paper: 'Resignation'. He says: "And he arose and went unto his Father, and said Father I have sinned before thee, and I am no longer worthy to be called thy Son". The King covers his face with his hand, saying, "Very Naughty Boy!-Very naughty Boy indeed!! however I forgive you but dont do so any more"."--British Museum online catalogue.
Alternative Title:
Prodigal son's resignation
Description:
Printmaker from British Museum catalogue. and Title etched below image.
Subject (Name):
Auchincloss, Hugh Dudley--Ownership., Frederick Augustus,--Prince, Duke of York and Albany,--1763-1827--Caricatures and cartoons., George--III,--King of Great Britain,--1738-1820--Caricatures and cartoons., Harvey, Francis--Ownership., and Tegg, Thomas, 1776-1845, publisher.