"A 'conjuror' or magician displays to John Bull on a screen four scenes, one below the other, representing the expedition to Flushing. He wears a conical hat with a wide fur brim, and his magician's robe resembles that of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, indicating Perceval; he holds a long staff or wand topped by a little head, that of Portland, grinning; it is labelled The Old One. John stoops to look through a telescope inscribed Patent directed at the screen, the vision on which is projected by a small dark-lantern held by Perceval. John is a yokel in a smock; beside him lies his cudgel inscribed Oak. He is highly delighted at what he sees, namely: [1] a fleet leaving England, tiny figures being indicated on the shore. [2] Ships bombarding and soldiers attacking a fortified town which is on fire. [3] The garrison of the town surrendering to British officers, with grenadiers drawn up at attention. A French officer holds out the keys of the town to Chatham, one of whose staff is in Highland uniform. Two tricolour flags are being laid down by fat Dutchmen in French uniforms. [4] British troops being landed from a man-of-war; wounded soldiers are being carried up the beach. John says: Zookers Measter Shewman that be a main foine sight sure enough, that will fright the Mounseers however Aye Aye they be at it. I think I can smell the Gonpowder, by Goles if they ha'nt done the Job! there's Mounseer and Mynheer on their Marrow-bones! but Dang it what have we got at the bottom here I be quite. Perceval interrupts: Stop! Stop! Mr Bull if you have got to the bottom of it I'll turn the Instrument for that part wont bear Magnyfieing. Canning (?), poorly characterized, as is Perceval, kneels (left), raising John's smock to take a money-bag from his pocket. He says: With your leave Johnny I'll take a little more money for the next shew of the Jubilee [see No. 11381]. A demon looks out from behind the curtain on which the 'Phantasmagoria' is projected; he laughs: He, He. The room is that of a quack, cf. No. 9611. A large crocodile is suspended from the roof, draped with a tricolour flag and labelled Caug [sic] in the Nile by Nelson [cf. No. 9250, &c.]. A bat (alive or stuffed) is also displayed. Perceval and John Bull stand within a circle surrounded by cabalistic signs and lit by a second dark-lantern which stands on the floor beside a celestial globe (left). Behind Canning and on the extreme left three small niches are recessed in the wall, one upon the other, in each of which is a skull; inscriptions: Conjuror Pitt (above), Katterfelto, and Conjuror Bute. They are: Curious Collection of Conjuros Capets [sic]. On a high shelf are documents: Way to raise the Wind; New Taxes; Proceedings in Spain and Portugal; Plan of an Expedition to Brobdignag; List of Killed and Wounded [torn]. A broadside is pinned to the wall. A soldier on two stumps for legs, supported on a crutch: Soldier Dick come from the War. On the ground (right) are two large bags filled with guineas inscribed Charmes. Beside them is a paper on which are circles and arrows."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Kings conjurors amusing John Bull
Description:
Title etched below image., Printmaker identified as Charles Williams in the British Museum catalogue., Attributed to William Heath in the British Museum online catalogue, registration no.: 1868,0808.7871., Text following title: They deal in destiny's dark counsels and sage opinions of the moon sells. Vide Hudibras., and Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
Publisher:
Pubd. Septr. 1809 by Walker, No. 7 Cornhill
Subject (Name):
Perceval, Spencer, 1762-1812, Portland, William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, Duke of, 1738-1809, Chatham, John Pitt, Earl of, 1756-1835, Canning, George, 1770-1827, Nelson, Horatio Nelson, Viscount, 1758-1805., Pitt, William, 1759-1806., Katterfelto, Gustavus, -1799., and Bute, John Stuart, Earl of, 1713-1792.
Subject (Topic):
Peninsular War, 1807-1814, John Bull (Symbolic character), Crocodiles, Curiosities & wonders, Dreaming, Magicians, Projectors, Robberies, and Ships
