John Bull and the alarmist [graphic].Gillray, James, 1756-1815, printmaker[1 September 1803]eng"John Bull stands squarely, holding a thick stick with a carved head representing a bull-dog, and a frothing tankard ornamented with a crown. He turns his eyes with appraising disparagement towards Sheridan (r.), a ragged bill-sticker, who slouches forward with conspiratorial impressiveness. The latter, r. hand raised warningly, says: "The Corsican Thief has slip'd from his Quarters \ And coming to Ravish your Wives & your Daughters". In his left hand is his bill-sticker's pole, under his arms are papers: 'Loyal Bills distributed pro bono publico', 'Sherry Andrew's Address'. From inside his coat project 'Play Bills'. A bonnet rouge with tricolour cockade, shaped like a fool's cap, hangs from his coat pocket. John answers: "Let him come and be D------n'd! - what cares Johnny Bull! \ With my Crabstick assured I will fracture his Scull! \ Or I'll squeese the vile reptile 'twixt my Finger & Thumb, \ Make him stink like a Bug, if he dares to presume!" John wears a laced cocked hat and powdered wig. His dress is old-fashioned, with spotted handkerchief round his neck, unbuttoned waistcoat, and the wrinkled gaiters of the farmer. From his waistcoat pockets hang papers: 'List of the Volunteer Corps'; 'God save the King'; 'Navy List.'; 'Rule Britannia'. Behind him is a Gothic chair, resembling the Coronation Chair, and having the Royal Arms on the back. This shows that, despite his dress, John is George III. [This is asserted in 'London und Paris', xi. 169.] Beside it (r.) is one end of a heavy, ancient table on which lies a 'London Gazette' with columns headed 'List of Captures' and 'Imports'. Across it lies John's long pipe. On the wall is a broadside, 'The Roast Beef of Old England', headed by a print of an ox regarding a frog. It begins: 'As once on a time a Young Frog \ Beheld a large Ox that . . . \ . . . O the Roast Beef of Old . . . [other words illegible].' Behind Sheridan is the corner of a brick wall on which bills are pasted: 'Heroes . . .'; 'Live Free or Die Slaves'; 'to devour the Women & Children'; 'Consular Monster'; 'Englishmen'; 'First Consul Rascal Scoundrel Rogue'; 'Invasion of Great Britain Pillage Destruction Rapes Murder'; 'Ravishment Conquer or . . .'; 'Corsican Cruelties 4000 Turks murderd after laying down their Arms at Jaffa [see BMSat 10062] - 500 Sick Soldiers poisond in Egypt [see BMSat 10063] O Lord! - O Lord!'; 'Address to Britons blood Murder Cut Throat Butcher'; 'Devil. . .'; 'Little Boney's delight Sword Fire Destruction'. ..."--British Museum online catalogueTitle etched in top part of image.Smaller plate consists entirely of etched text and is printed below the plate with image.Four stanzas of verse on lower plate begins: John Bull as he sat in his old easy chair, an alarmist came to him & said in his ear ...Printmaker from British Museum catalogue.Mounted on leaf 64 of volume 5 of 12.