‘The Evacuation of Malta’ (Gillray, February 9, 1803) is vividly, almost too graphically, depicted. Ferocious little Bonaparte has hold of poor frightened Addington by his necktie, and, by flourishing his enormous sword, compels him to evacuate Malta, Egypt, Cape of Good Hope, St. Domingo, Guadaloup, and Martinique. In vain Addington pleads, ‘Pray do not insist upon Malta! I shall certainly be turned out! and I have a great many Cousins and Uncles and Aunts to provide for yet.’ But his merciless enemy will hear of no compromise, and yells out ‘All! All! you Jean F--t--e! and think yourself well off that I leave you Great Britain!!!’ A French officer mildly remonstrates, and suggests, ‘My General, you had better not get him turned out, for we shall not be able to humbug them any more.’ Ansell executed an engraving (February 10, 1803) of the ‘Rival Gardeners,’ which represents Napoleon, and George III., tending their respective gardens, which are divided by the Channel. Napoleon has a number of plants labelled ‘Military poppies,’ which flourish well; but he is greatly concerned about his principal flower, which has a very drooping head and flagging leaves. He cannot understand it. ‘Why, I don’t know what is the reason; my Poppies flourish charmingly; but this _Corona Imperialis_ is rather a delicate kind of a plant, and requires great judgment in rearing.’ His rival, however, points with pride to the sturdy British Oak, whose vigour is matchless, and is in full bloom, with a royal crown. He replies, ‘No, No, Brother Gardener, though only a ditch parts our grounds, yet this is the spot for true Gardening; here the _Corona Britanica_ and y^e _Heart of Oak_ will flourish to the end of the world.’ On March 8, the king sent a message to Parliament, respecting military preparations in the ports of France and Holland, and acquaints the House of Commons that ‘he has judged it expedient to adopt additional measures of precaution for the security of his dominions;’ and this gives us the key to the next caricature-- ‘Physical Aid, or, Britannia recover’d from a Trance, also the Patriotic Courage of Merry Andrew, and a peep thro’ the Fog,’ was published by Gillray, March 14, 1803, and is a very amusing picture. Bonaparte, and his flotilla, are crossing the Channel, and Sheridan, with fool’s cap and bell, a tattered harlequin suit, a lathen sword, ‘Dramatic Loyalty,’ a shield with a Medusa’s head, the snaky hair of which is labelled ‘Envy, abuse, bouncing, puffing, detraction, stolen jests, malevolence, and stale wit,’ and a paper, in his sash, endorsed ‘Ways and means to get a living,’ calls out, ‘Let ’em come! dam’me!!! Where are the French Buggabos? single-handed I’d beat forty of ’em!!! dam’me I’d pay ’em like Renter’s shares, sconce off their half-crowns!!! mulct them out of their benefits, and come y^e Drury Lane Slang over ’em.’ [Illustration: ‘A THEATRICAL HERO.’]