The diplomatic squad, or, Harmony interrupted [graphic].

"The representatives of four Powers are grouped along the nearer side of a long table covered with a heavy fringed cloth. On the left a Hollander sits on a high three-legged stool, smoking, and looking up at a Spanish don who sits on the table holding a guitar. On his stool is a map of the 'Cape of Go[od] Hope]'. From his bulky breeches pocket project (left) a pipe and tobacco-box, (right) a rolled 'Map of Ceylon'. The three bars which connect the legs of the stool are inscribed respectively: 'Spain', 'France', 'Holland'. Behind him are two small casks. He says: "You may as well let John Bull enjoy his Dream and go on with your Duett and I'll fill another pipe - ca Ira". He wears a bonnet-rouge. Spain answers: "A ha I see this is a Jostling Match between them by St Jago I'll at Malbroke again." France stands in back view, holding a violin and flourishing his bow: he looks to the left, singing,"Monsr de Malbroke est mort - Eh Vel, Vat now Objections encore - est meme est enterrée" Propped up on the table is his music-book with the words 'Malbrook s'en . . .' . [For the vogue of the song, both before the Revolution and under Napoleon, see de Vinck, i. 384-8.] Lord Malmesbury sits (right) in profile to the right in an arm-chair, asleep. He dreams: 'Lord Mac | [Malmesbury was accompanied by Lord Granville Leveson Gower (who returned to England, arriving 15 Aug.), Lord Morpeth, and Lord Pembroke. One of them is presumably 'Lord Mac'.] has got back | And all his trouble's ended | But I fear | I shall stay here, | Till all the Wine's expended'. He wears a ribbon and star. Two empty wine-bottles lie on the ground beside him. On the table is a decanter of 'Malms[ey]', while France has one of 'Cham-pa[gne]'. On the wall hangs a plan of a fort inscribed 'Lisle'. The words of Spain relate to two men who jostle each other in a doorway (left): an Englishman holds many bundles of papers under his left arm which have become entangled with a still larger bundle under the right arm of a Frenchman. Both bundles are docketed 'Objections ...'. The sturdy Englishman in riding-dress wears at his button-hole the greyhound of a King's Messenger. The lanky Frenchman, who wears a bonnet-rouge over hair in curling-papers, says: "O by Gar Jack Anglois you vil squeze my gob out vid your great bundle of Objections." The other answers: "Why you French foutre I think your own bundle is most likely to do it You have a rare lot of them, make way d'ye hear."--British Museum online catalogue