1.
- Creator:
- Cruikshank, George, 1792-1878, printmaker
- Published / Created:
- [10 March 1823]
- Call Number:
- 823.03.10.01+
- Image Count:
- 1
- Resource Type:
- still image
- Abstract:
- "In a wheeled car, Louis XVIII careers down a wooden track (as on the Montagnes Russes in Paris), laid on a steep grass slope, towards a monster formed of a guillotine, from which diabolical talons extend, ready to clutch him. The car is partly throne, partly bath-chair; the King has the usual swollen flannelled legs and wears an old-fashioned court-suit. He is blindfolded by a fool's cap with a long peak which streams behind him, showing the rapidity of the descent. In his right hand he holds out a spluttering firebrand, or Holy Candle, in the left is a sword with a serrated blade inscribed Sword of Justice, to which heavy fetters are attached. On the right of the track is a wide doorway, inscribed Chamber of Deputies, whence soldiers with fixed bayonets are pouring out. The two foremost drag between them a deputy, Manuel. The King turns his head to the right, shouting: War! War! war! war with Spain is indispensable. We will carry our measures at home & abroad with the point of the Bayonet, The Bourbons must be absolute monarchs, the people must be slaves!! His car is pushed behind by a band of simian Frenchmen, having the legs of apes, in court-dress with orders, wearing fool's caps like that of the King, the two foremost having their faces completely covered with the caps. The first pair, evidently Villèle and Chateaubriand, shout War! war! war! and War! war! Vive l' Roi. Those behind shout Shove away Shattebrain [cf. BM Satires 12614]; this is a Glorious cause. Vive l' Roi. Manuel, dignified and determined, makes a speech: "Let others seek to debase the National character: they have no doubt a guilty interest in doing so: I will do every thing in my power to preserve it's virtue. I do not expect an act of Justice; it is to one of Vengence [sic] that I resign myself. Sent to this Chamber by the will of those who had the right to send me here, I shall only leave it through the Violence of those who have not the right to exclude me; and if this resolution on my part may draw on my head the gravest dangers, I console myself that the field of Liberty has sometimes been fertilized by generous blood." Soldiers (right) watch the ejection, their hands resting on the barrels of their muskets, the butt ends being on the ground. They differ from the ejectors in wearing bearskins in place of cocked hats, gaiters in place of jack-boots, and they have a flag inscribed National Guard. One (Mercier) says: We will not Obey the Order to expel M. Manuel. Comrades, what say you to the Right about? In the foreground (left) two ghosts emerge from clouds, looking up at the madly careering king. Napoleon, a profile bust portrait, says: Silly Bourbon! Remember the Consequences of my interfereing with Spai. Louis XVI, his neck hidden by cloud, holds out his decollated head; he wears a shirt patterned with fleur-de-lis. He says: O! Brother, Brother, be warned by my unhappy fate!! The guillotine-monster is topped by a cap of Liberty with two tricolour cockades for glaring saucer-eyes. The base of the cap forms a gaping mouth; from it issue the words: What are you at!! what are you a'rter!!! I am really surprised at your Blind Stupidity! My appearance Here, I assure you, is with the most friendly intentions, to warn you of your impending danger. But if you are bent upon your own destruction, why come along!! C'a [sic] ira c'a ira c'a ira."--British Museum online catalogue
- Alternative Title:
- Hint to the blind and foolish and Bourbon dynasty in danger!
- Description:
- Title from caption below image. and Purchased with gift funds from Robert Pirie.
- Publisher:
- Pubd. March 10th 1823 by J. Fairburn, Broadway, Ludgate Hill, London
- Subject (Name):
- Louis XVIII, King of France, 1755-1824 and Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821
- Subject (Topic):
- Guillotines (Punishment)
- Found in:
- Lewis Walpole Library > A hint to the blind & foolish, or The Bourbon dynasty in danger! [graphic]