English Caricature and Satire on Napoleon I. Volume 2 (of 2)Ashton, John
History
English Caricature and Satire on Napoleon I. Volume 2 (of 2)
Ashton, John
Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 -- Caricatures and cartoons
4. Exhibits a scene never known before in the Civilized World.
The foul murder (for it cannot be called anything else, though
Boney excuses it by his mock Court Martial) of the Duke
d’Enghien.
5. Here the monster compels the Pope to come to Paris, and to
assist at a blasphemous coronation, where Boney stands upon no
ceremony with the Holy Father. Boney puts on the iron crown
himself with one hand, whilst the other hand is employed in
robbing the Catholic Church of its head.
6. Exhibits another shocking scene; the truly English patriot,
Captain Wright, is put to death, because he will not be a
traitor to his king and country.
7. Here we behold the massacre of the defenceless citizens of
Madrid, on the 2nd of May, 1808.
8. Represents the imprisonment of King Ferdinand the 7th
because he will not renounce the Crown of Spain, nor marry
Boney’s niece.
The Motto is taken from Proverbs, chapter xxviii. verse 15--‘As a
roaring lion, and a ranging bear, so is a wicked ruler over the poor
people.’
On December 16 of this year was published an ‘Extraordinary Gazette’
which perfectly electrified this country. It contained detailed reports
of the successes over the French--news which filled every English heart
with joy.
The ‘Times’ of December 17 says:--‘We hardly know the terms in which
we are to address the people of this and every other European country,
on the subject of the _Extraordinary Gazette_ contained in this day’s
paper. It does more than confirm our hopes--it does more than justify
the ardent expressions of triumph, in which we indulged yesterday.
And really, in speaking of the successes of the Russians, we are
obliged to abate the excess of our joy. Not from any doubt of their
magnitude, or reality, for upon these our countrymen may rely; but from
mere apprehension, lest the vicissitude of human affairs, which does
not usually suffer mankind to exult beyond measure upon any occasion
whatever, should, by we know not what unexpected reverse, abate
somewhat of the transcendent felicity which is promised the world,
by the overthrow, and disgrace, of its most detested and detestable
tyrant. We shall only say, therefore, in so many words, that Buonaparte
is wholly defeated in Russia; he is conquered, and a fugitive. And what
can we say more? We have seen his army pass from victory to victory;
we have seen it overthrow kingdoms, and subjugate realms,--insult
sovereigns, and oppress peasants--violate every human right, and
diffuse every species of human misery. And now where is it? Where shall
we look for it? “A wide and capable destruction hath swallowed it up.”
In this awful event we rather admire in humility the dispensations of
Providence, than exult with pride over the fall of a haughty foe; it is
hardly to be viewed as an occurrence between man and man, or between
nation and nation; but as a divine judgment upon the earth.’
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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