"The Tsar and his sister walking arm-in-arm are stopped by a coarse-looking woman (right) who flings her arms round his neck and kisses him avidly, while a yokel (left) takes the hand of the Grand Duchess. The woman exclaims to a fat friend (right), who watches with a broad grin: "There Sal, I can boast of what none of the Bitches of Billinsgate can, having kissed the Kings Emperor of all the Russian Bears, & he is the sweetest modestest mildest Gentleman I ever Kissed in all my life." The countryman wears a short smock with breeches and wrinkled gaiters, and has the coarse carbuncled features of a John Bull in these prints. He says, grinning: "Dang it when I goes back & tells The folks in our Village of this, Law how they will envy I, ha ha!" The Tsar and his sister smile amiably. Behind (left), another woman runs after a bearded Cossack eager to kiss him. There is a landscape background, probably indicating Hyde Park, cf. British Museum Satires No. 12285."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Blessings of universal peace
Description:
Title etched below image. and With S.W. Fores blind stamp: S.W.F.
Publisher:
Pubd. July 11th, 1814, by S.W. Fores, Piccadilly
Subject (Geographic):
Russia and England.
Subject (Name):
Alexander I, Emperor of Russia, 1777-1825 and Katharina, Queen, consort of William I, King of Württemberg, 1788-1819
