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
On May 2, 1803, Gillray produced a very effective caricature called
‘Doctor Sangrado curing John Bull of Repletion, with the kind offices
of young Clyster pipe[70] and little Boney. A hint from Gil Blas.’
John Bull is seated, very weak indeed, held up by Lord Hawkesbury. Fox
and Sheridan are behind, bringing warm water, and everybody in the
drawing is exhorting the patient to ‘Courage.’ Addington is performing
the operation, and the blood streams forth copiously. Napoleon catches
in his cocked hat, Ceylon, Malta, Cape of Good Hope, and West Indies;
whilst young Clyster pipe holds out his hat, labelled ‘Clerk of the
Pells,’ and catches a stream ‘3,000_l._ per annum.’ This scandalous
job, his father having given him this lucrative sinecure when he was
very young, excited much adverse comment at the time.
‘Britannia repremanding a Naughty Boy!’ (artist unknown, May 3, 1803).
Britannia, with a helmet on her head, her shield by her side, a spear
in one hand, and a birch rod in the other, stands on the shore at
Dover. On the top of the cliffs is a crown on a cushion. Napoleon,
attired, as usual, in an enormous cocked hat, stands on the shore at
Calais, whimpering, ‘I’m tired of this great hat, I will have that
crown.’ But says Britannia: ‘Stay where you are, you little troublesome
Urchin. If once you cross the Dyke you’ll get a good birchin!’
‘Lunar Speculations’ is the whimsical title of a picture by Ansell,
May 3, 1803. Bonaparte is looking through a large telescope, mounted
on a tripod, at the moon; and he is saying: ‘I wonder the Idea never
struck me before! The place would easily be taken, and has undoubtedly
great capabilities--Besides they would make me Emperor:--and then, the
sound of the Title EMPEROR OF THE FULL MOON--oh! delightful! I’ll send
for Garner[71] and his balloons and set about the scheme immediately.’
John Bull, looking at him quizzically, and holding his very fat sides,
says: ‘What! going to revolutionize the Moon, Bonny? That’s a good one,
however--To be sure, you talk’d of paying a visit to my little island,
and one should certainly be as easily accomplished as the other.’
The situation was getting more strained daily, and Napoleon did not
mend matters by his studied discourtesy to Lord Whitworth.
* * * * *
‘Indeed,’ said Whitworth, ‘you mistake,
We wish a lasting peace to make.’
‘Pay more respect to treaties, then,’
Cried Nap, and raised his voice again;
‘What use are treaties?--all my eye--
If violated--fie--oh fie--
What use are treaties? woe to those
Who don’t respect them--they’re my foes;
Yes, they’re my foes--I tell you flat,
And I don’t value them--not that.’
This said, his argument to back,
He with his fingers gave a crack,
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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