A political fair [graphic]

"A crowded fair-ground, with many seen combining realism with a fantastic survey of the international situation. The are spectators and attractions in the foreground, on the ground-level backed by adjacent and competing platforms, all with performers, placards, and flags On the ground on the extreme left. in front of a notice: 'German Sour Crout with French Sauce', a waiter hurries with a steaming dish towards Germans at a table who are hideously guzzling sauer kraut as in British Museum Satires No. 10170. Behind are the backs of spectators gazing up at a platform, on the extreme left., on which a Russian displays a bear on its hind-legs, padlocked to a post inscribed 'French Influence'. The Russian, holding out a sheaf of papers, blows a trumpet with an attached banner decorated with the Russian eagle. Behind is a back-cloth inscribed: 'Russian Booth - . This day will be presented the Comedy of The Double Dealer [by Congreve] to which will be added a new Burletta called The Bear in Leading Strings - The Music principally French' [see British Museum Satires No. 10750, &c.]. Next are three narrow platforms close together: a zany wearing a conical cap, shouts to the audience below. His placard announces: "Danish Booth - The English Fleet [comic opera by T. Dibdin, 1805] and The Devil to Pay" [opera by Coffey, 1730]. Below the script a naval engagement in depicted. Next, a pierrot, wearing a fool's cap, beats a drum, before a placard: 'Sweedish Booth - Blind Bargain [comedy by Frederick Reynolds, 1805] and Hob in the Well' ['Flora; or, Hob in the Well' by Hippisley, 1730]. A Punch-like man stands in front of the 'Westphalia Booth - Wife and no Wife [unacted farce by Coffey, 1732] with Jerry Sneak [in Foote's 'Mayor of Garratt', 1763] in his Glory'. All three booths fly their national flag, except the last, on which there is a ham inscribed 'Venison', see BMSat 10759. The booths recede in perspective and from left. to r., a pendant to similar booths on the opposite side. Between them, facing the spectator, is the central and largest: 'The Best - Booth in the Fair Iohn Bull and Company - The Englishman's Fire Side, and The Wooden Warn of Old England, Principal Characters by Joh Bull, Paddy Bull, Ben Block &c.' This is surmounted by the Royal Arms and British flag. On the little stage Britannia stands, holding her spear and pointing to a group seated round a punch-bowl: John Bull, a fat 'cit' smoking a long pipe, Erin with her harp, a fat Welshman with a leek in his hat, and a lank Scot in Highland dress; the last three are drinking. The toast is on a paper below the punch-bowl: 'Old England for ever the land Boys we live in'. Beside Britannia is her lion, rampantly supporting her shield. The space under the platform (boarded upat the other booths) is an eating-place: men (in shadow) guzzling hard, while a cook triumphantly brings in a huge sirloin. Above: 'Roast Beef gratis this Booth.' (A plea for national unity as in British Museum Satires No. 10009, &c.) ..."--British Museum online catalogue, description of an earlier state