Head runner of runaways, from Leipzic fair [graphic].

"A copy, probably much enlarged, of a German print, der rheinische courier | 'verliehrt auf der Heimreise von der Leipziger Messe alles' (reproduced Broadley, ii. 117). Napoleon runs in profile to the left, holding in both hands a pole like that of a running footman, but topped by the head of the sceptre of Charlemagne (an emblem of the Empire) inscribed 'Carolus Magnus'. His head and uniform evidently derive from Dähling's engraving of Napoleon in the uniform of the Colonel of the Chasseurs of the Guard (reproduced, Dayot, 'Napoléon', p. 205), on which British Museum Satires No. 12177 is based, but on his back is the hairy knapsack of a private (as in British Museum Satires No. 12308). Its contents fly out as he runs. On the ground are two prints of French soldiers at attention, 'Alte Garde' and 'Junge Garde'; maps fall to the ground: 'Poland', 'Rhein Bund', 'Hanstat [sic] Departement', 'Sewitszerla[nd]' [sic], 'Holland', 'Italy', which has hardly left the knapsack; two rolled maps are about to fall: 'Brabant' and 'Bheisufer' [i.e. Rheinufer or Bouches du Rhin]. He runs diagonally towards a broad river, the Rhine; on the farther side are the buildings of 'Maynz', reflected in the water. Just before him runs a hare. The original, including inscriptions, is closely followed, but the hare (cf. British Museum Satires No. 12564) has been added and a bush removed."--British Museum online catalogue