Rowlandson the Caricaturist; a Selection from His Works. Vol. 2Grego, Joseph
History
Rowlandson the Caricaturist; a Selection from His Works. Vol. 2
Grego, Joseph
English wit and humor, Pictorial; Rowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827
_August 21, 1808._ _King Joe's Retreat from Madrid._ Woodward del.,
Rowlandson sculp. Published by T. Tegg, 111 Cheapside.--The occupancy
of the Spanish throne has not proved, if we may trust the print, a
profitable sinecure of long duration. King Joseph is rushing away from
his new dignity as fast as his legs will carry him; the crown has
slipped off in the flight; the fugitive's invincible standards and the
'Legions of Honour' are in tatters, but the hands of the Frenchmen are
not empty; king, officers, and troops are all loaded with bags of plate
and bullion. The Spanish soldiers are up in arms; their priests are
encouraging the pursuers, who are firing a volley into the midst of the
scared invaders, while crying 'Stop thieves! stop thieves! they have
stolen the plate from the palace.' Joseph's fears are too much for his
self-command; he is appealing to his great little brother, 'Why don't
you stop? the Philistines are pursuing us.' Napoleon is replying from
his carriage, which is tearing away up hill as fast as his coachman can
urge the horses, 'I can't, brother Joe, I am in a great hurry myself.'
_August 27, 1808._ _King Joe on his Spanish Donkey._ Woodward del.,
Rowlandson sculp. Published by T. Tegg, 111 Cheapside.--King Joe,
the new sovereign, is finding his seat anything but easy, and even
his military saddle has proved a failure; the animal he has had the
temerity to mount has become ungovernable; the usurper is losing
his seat; the crown is flying one way, the sceptre another: 'Bless
me, what a restive animal this is! I thought he would have been as
gentle as a French pony, and was as easily managed as an Italian
greyhound!' The Spanish donkey is neighing at a pack of 'Saddle-bags
for the Spaniards,' and his heels are kicking to the winds the various
proclamations, 'All found with arms to be shot!' 'No liberty to a
Spaniard!' 'The road to fortune!' 'Joseph, King of Spain!' 'French
news!' 'No quarter!' Thumbscrews for the rebels!'
_September 12, 1808._ _A Spanish Passport to France._ Woodward del.,
Rowlandson sculp. Published by R. Ackermann, 101 Strand.--A Spanish
don, dressed in all his ancient splendour, with a huge sombrero hat
and feathers, a long Toledo rapier, and wearing his fierce moustachios
turned up to his eyes, is kicking the French invader to France:
'_Va-t'en, Coquin_.' The usurper, whose courage has disappeared, is
sneaking off in undissembled terror; he is receiving the indignities
inflicted by the don with abject servility: '_Votre très humble
serviteur, monsieur_.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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