To thoroughly understand this caricature, we must first of all know something about _Tiddy Doll_. He was a seller of gingerbread, and was as famous in his time as was _Colly Molly Puff_ in the time of Steele and Addison. He had a refrain, all his own, like a man well known to dwellers in Brighton and the West End of London--‘_Brandy balls_.’ Hone[11] gives the best account of him that I know. Discoursing on _May fair_, he says: ‘Here, too, was _Tiddy-doll_; this celebrated vendor of gingerbread, from his eccentricity of character and extensive dealings in his way, was always hailed as the king of itinerant tradesmen.[12] In his person he was tall, well made, and his features handsome. He affected to dress like a person of rank: white, gold-laced, suit of clothes, laced ruffled shirt, laced hat and feather, white silk stockings, with the addition of a fine white apron. Among his harangues to gain customers, take this as a specimen: “Mary, Mary, where are you _now_, Mary? I live, when at home, at the second house in little Ball Street, two steps under ground, with a wiscum, riscum, and a why not. Walk in ladies and gentlemen; my shop is on the second floor backwards, with a brass knocker at the door. Here is your nice gingerbread, your spice gingerbread; it will melt in your mouth like a redhot brickbat, and rumble in your inside like Punch and his wheelbarrow.” He always finished his address by singing this fag end of some popular ballad. [Illustration: [MUSIC] Ti - tid - dy, ti - ti ti - tid - dy, ti - ti ti - tid-dy, ti - ti tid-dy did-dy dol - lol, ti - tiddy, ti - diddy ti - ti, tid-dy, tiddy, dol.’ ] Pitt died on January 23, 1806, and Fox succeeded him. It is probable that Napoleon reckoned somewhat on Fox’s friendship, and hence the following caricature:-- [Illustration: BONEY AND THE GREAT STATE SECRETARY.] ‘Boney and the Great Secretary’ (Argus, February 1806) gives a good portrait of Fox. Napoleon wishes to be friendly: ‘How do you do, Master Charley, why you are so fine, I scarcely knew ye--don’t you remember me, why I am little Boney the Corsican--him that you came to see at Paris, and very civil I was to you, I’m sure. If you come my way I shall be glad to see you, so will my wife and family. They are a little changed in their dress, as well as you. We shall be very happy to take a little _peace_ soup with you, whenever you are inclined, Master Charley.’ But Fox shakes his fist at him: ‘Why, you little Corsican Reptile! how dare you come so near the person of the Right Honble C---- J---- F---- one of his M---- principal Secretaries of State, Member of the P.C. &c., &c., &c., &c., &c., &c., &c., &c.--go to see YOU!!! Arrogant little Man, Mr. Boney--if you do not instantly vanish from my sight--I’le break every bone in your body--learn to behave yourself in a _peaceable_ manner, nor dare to set your foot on this happy land without MY leave.’