"A design in three compartments, each with its title. [1] John Bull (left), very corpulent, a frothing tankard in his hand, sits in an arm-chair beside a table loaded with beef, pudding, and 'Home Brew'd'; he is approached by three famished Frenchmen, who lean eagerly towards him, cap in hand. He points to the table, saying: "The blessed effects of a good Constitution." The three say: "I am your Friend John Bull you want a Reform"; "My Honble Friend speaks my Sentiments"; "John Bull you are too Fat." Below: [2] The three Frenchmen, ragged, bare-legged, and fierce-looking, two with bludgeons and one with a dagger, advance menacingly to John Bull, who holds out a frog, saying: "A Pretty Reform indeed you have deprived me of my Leg and given me nothing but Frogs to eat I shall be Starved I am no Frenchman." He has a wooden leg, is less stout than in [1], and his clothes are ragged. The Frenchmen say: "Eat it you Dog & hold your Tongue you are very happy"; "Thats right my friend we will make him Happier still" (his cap is inscribed 'Ca ira'); "He is a little leaner now." Below: [3] John Bull lies prostrate screaming "O - H - O - H"; two frantic Frenchmen holding firebrands trample fiercely on him. One (left) says: "now he is quite happy I will have a Jump"; the other adds, "Oh Delightfull you may thank me you Dog for sparing your Life - thank me I say."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Reform begun and Reform compleat
Description:
Title from text etched above each image., Attributed to Rowlandson by the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., and Temporary local subject terms: Food: roast beef -- Beverages -- Dishes: tankards -- Jugs -- Weapons: bludgeons -- Wooden legs -- Allusion to French Revolution -- Frenchmen.
Publisher:
Pulished [sic] as the act directs, Jany. 8th, 1793, by Jno. Brown, No. 2 Adelphi
Subject (Geographic):
France
Subject (Topic):
History, Foreign public opinion, British, John Bull (Symbolic character), Ethnic stereotypes, Obesity, Meat, Beer, Pitchers, Daggers & swords, Frogs, and Peg legs
