"Napoleon (right) stands between two Russians; one (left) he strikes on the chin with his fist, saying, "There Sir take that, and tel your Master, I'll thras every one who dares to speak to me I'll thrash all the World D -me I'll, I'll I,'ll be King of the Universe." The injured Russian stares, saying, "Why this is club Law; this is the Argument of force indeed the little Gentleman is Dêrangé." Behind Napoleon (right) an officer in fur cloak and hussar's cap watches with indignation, saying, "The Monarch I represent, will return this insult with becoming dignity." On the left John Bull, jovial and grossly fat, and wearing top-boots, puts his arm across the shoulders of a pugilist, and points to Napoleon, saying, "There my Boy is an Ambassador who will treat with you in your own way, but I say be as gentle with him as you can." The good-looking brawny pugilist, who is stripped to the waist, clenches his fists, saying, "what! is it that little Whipper snapper I am to set too with why I think the first round will settle his hash." [An early use of this phrase which disproves Partridge, 'Slang Dict., tracing it in England to 1825, and in U.S.A. to 1807, suggesting that the English may have learnt it in the war of 1812. It was clearly current in England by 1803] Bonaparte is small and youthful, caricatured chiefly by the disproportionate size of cocked hat and sabre."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
John Bull introducing his new ambassador to the Grand Consul
Description:
Title etched below image. and Laid down on modern paper backing and matted to 36 x 46 cm.
Publisher:
Pub. by S.W. Fores, N. 50 Piccadilly, London
Subject (Geographic):
France, Russia., Russia, and France.
Subject (Name):
Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821, Alexander I, Emperor of Russia, 1777-1825, and Markov, Arkady Ivanovich, 1747-1827
Subject (Topic):
Foreign relations, John Bull (Symbolic character), Boxers (Sports), and Insults
"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
