English Caricature and Satire on Napoleon I. Volume 1 (of 2)Ashton, John
History
English Caricature and Satire on Napoleon I. Volume 1 (of 2)
Ashton, John
Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 -- Caricatures and cartoons
Among the caricatures, West gives us (July 1803) ‘A British Chymist
Analizing a Corsican Earth Worm!!’ Bonaparte is in a retort, being
distilled, and George the Third is examining a cup of his extract, with
a magnifying glass, saying, ‘I think I can now pretty well ascertain
the ingredients of which this insect is composed--viz.--Ambition and
self sufficiency, two parts--Forgetfulness--one part--some light
Invasion Froth, on the surface, and a prodigious quantity of fretful
passion, and conceited Arrogance is the residue!!’
‘Little Ships, or John Bull very Inquisitive’ (artist unknown, July
1803), shews us Napoleon employed in cutting toy ships out of bits
of wood; he has already filled a large basket with them, and has two
or three before him, on a table. John Bull, with a terrific oaken
cudgel, comes suddenly upon him, saying, ‘I ax Pardon for coming in
with my hat on, without knocking--but, hearing a nation thumping in
your workshop--thought I may as well step up stairs, and see what the
youngster is about.’ Napoleon replies, ‘Don’t be alarm’d Johnny--I am
only making a few little Ships, for my own Private Amusement.’
The following broadside was printed with different headings, so as to
sell in different counties--
TWENTY THOUSAND POUNDS REWARD.
MIDDLESEX (to wit)
_To all Constables, Head boroughs, Tithing Men, and other
Officers of the County of Middlesex, and to every of whom it
may concern_,
Whereas a certain ill disposed Vagrant, and common disturber,
commonly called, or known by the name of NAPOLEON BONAPARTE,
_alias_ Jaffa Bonaparte, _alias_ Opium Bonaparte, _alias_
Whitworth Bonaparte, _alias_ Acre Bonaparte, still continues
to go about swindling and defrauding divers Countries, Cities,
Towns, and Villages, under divers, various, and many false and
wicked pretences, out of their Rights, Comforts, Conveniences,
and Cash; AND WHEREAS the said NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, _alias_
Jaffa Bonaparte, _alias_ Opium Bonaparte, _alias_ Whitworth
Bonaparte, _alias_ Acre Bonaparte, hath been guilty of divers
Outrages, Rapes, and Murders, at _Jaffa_, _Rosetta_, and
elsewhere; AND WHEREAS It is strongly suspected that the said
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, _alias_ Jaffa Bonaparte, _alias_ Opium
Bonaparte, _alias_ Whitworth Bonaparte, _alias_ Acre Bonaparte,
hath in contemplation at the Day of the Date of these presents,
to land in some, (but in what, part is not yet known) of Great
Britain or Ireland: WE DO hereby will and require, that in
case the said NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, _alias_ Jaffa Bonaparte,
_alias_ Opium Bonaparte, _alias_ Whitworth Bonaparte, _alias_
Acre Bonaparte, shall be found to _lurk_, and _wander_ up and
down your Bailiwick, that you bring before us the body of the
said NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, _alias_ Jaffa Bonaparte, _alias_
Opium Bonaparte, _alias_ Whitworth Bonaparte, _alias_ Acre
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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