G. Cruikshank drew (June 1, 1815) ‘Preparing for War,’ which is somewhat elaborate in detail. The centre is occupied by a funeral pyre, to which fire has already been applied, ‘Sacred to the Bourbon cause, and dedicated to the Downfall of illegitimate Tyranny.’ Atop of this is chained a bull, decked with flowers for the sacrifice, and draped with a cloth, on which is inscribed: ‘Land Tax--Ditto Personal--Tax on Windows, Dogs, Houses, Servants, Clerks, Shopmen, Carts, Hair powder, Horses, Waiters, Travellers, Income, Armorial bearings,’ &c. &c. Poor John Bull bellows, ‘Alas, and must I come to this! have I bled for so many years in your service, and will you now take my life?’ A typical representative of the House of Commons assures him that it is ‘Better to die Johnny, than live, and see thrive the thing we hate--Let us arm--war--war--interminable war I say, down with the Regicide--no quarter to the Usurper--So I said at Congress, so I now repeat, and if it is your fate to expire at the Altar, Johnny, all I ask is that I may live to preach your funeral sermon.’ A typical House of Lords is about to give him the _coup de grâce_ with a pole-axe inscribed ‘New War Taxes,’ comforting him with ‘No grumbling Johnny, you are a Noble _Sacrifice_ and worthy of the Cause.’ A number of empty bags are waiting to be filled--‘Subsidies,’ ‘The Army,’ ‘The Navy,’ ‘Contractors,’ &c. The left-hand portion of the picture shows the Prince Regent reclining idly on the throne undergoing his toilet. His idea of the gravity of the situation may be gathered from his speech: ‘Why this looks like war! Order me a brilliant Fête, send me a Myriad of Cooks and Scullions--say to me no more of Civil Lists and deserted wives, but of lascivious Mistresses and Bacchanalian Orgies--To it, Pell mell--my soul is eager for the fierce encounter--What, are my Whiskers[52] easier than they were?’ One of his valets says, ‘Your highness shall in all things be obey’d’; whilst one, who is measuring him round the waist, tells him, ‘I think these will be the best stays your highness has had yet.’ In the background are seen soldiery, and Wellington and Blücher sharpening their swords. Poor gouty Louis is clad in armour, and is mounted on Talleyrand as a charger. He is accompanied by an army of two men, armed with bottles of _Eau Medicinal_, and his artillery is composed of rolls of flannel. He soliloquises: ‘Well--we’ve _Tally_ for the Field to-morrow! but don’t forget the _Eau Medicinal_ and the _Fleecy Hosiery_; alas! these gouty limbs are but ill adapted to Jack boots and spurs--I think I had better fight my battles over a cool bottle with my friend George.’ The extreme right of the engraving shews Napoleon giving orders to ‘Let loose the Dogs of War;’ which is obeyed by one of his marshals, who delightedly exclaims, ‘Here is a glorious pack already sniffing human blood, and fresh for slaughter----On--comrades--on! the word is Bonaparte, Beelzebub and Blood.’