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
_September 12, 1808._ _The Political Butcher, or Spain cutting up
Buonaparte, for the benefit of her neighbours._ Published by R.
Ackermann, 101 Strand.--The Spanish don has put on a butcher's apron
and sleeves; the body of the late 'disturber of the peace of Europe' is
extended on his dissecting board, and the operator is cutting up the
Corsican with professional zeal. The Spaniard is holding up his enemy's
head, and encouraging the other powers, who have come to take a share
in the dismemberment of the Corsican, 'Now, my little fellows, here are
bones for you all to pick. The meat, being just killed, may be somewhat
toughish, but I'll warrant it fresh and high-flavoured. True Corsican
veal, I assure you, you see the head!' The Imperial double-headed eagle
of Austria, is swooping over this morsel: 'I have long wished to strike
my talons into that diabolical headpiece, and now I hope to do it
effectually!' The Prussian eagle is crippled: 'Oh! the delicious morsel
for an eagle to pick, but my clipt wings cannot bear me so high. Cruel
Boney! why cut them so short?'
The Italian greyhound is practising a new concerto called, 'If you
will not when you may, when you will it shall be nay.--The harmony by
Spain and Portugal.' The Danish dog is picking all the flesh left on
the arm: 'The nearer the bone the sweeter the meat; but,' alluding to
the presence of England, 'the nearer that Bull, the less I can eat.'
The British bull-dog, who has been enjoying portions of the joints, has
started up: 'I should like to have the picking of that head, for I dare
say it is hare-brained!' The Russian bear is indulging in the luxury of
licking the Napoleonic boots, and he is beginning to long for a taste:
'This licking gives me a mortal inclination to pick a bone, as well as
the rest. But Turkey's a fine garden, and would be a vast acquisition.'
Sweden, a white-coated dog, is giving good counsel to her neighbour:
'Yes, but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush!'
The Dutch frog is seated on a cask of Hollands, beside a barrel of
'somniferous cordial' for King Louis; he is smoking a reflective pipe
over his prospects. 'If I were sure matters are as they appear I should
like to pick a bone, it is true; but wisdom bids us doubt, and prudence
condemns precipitation, so I'll e'en take another whiff!'
In the slaughter-house at the rear are shown the carcases of Murat,
Dupont, Junot, and others, suspended by the heels.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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