"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
Woodward, G. M. (George Moutard), approximately 1760-1809, artist
Published / Created:
[approximately 1801]
Call Number:
Drawings W87 no. 28 Box D180
Image Count:
1
Resource Type:
still image
Abstract:
The surface of a platform stretches across the design; on this Pitt (right), valiant but anxious, faces the massive Russian bear, Paul, behind whom stands a stout ferocious-looking Russian soldier (like a showman with a performing animal), nearsightedly reading a document: 'Be it known to all men, - that my master, - the most Magnanimous [see BMSat 9415] most puissant, most powerful and most wonderful great Bear of the north - being in his sound and sober senses - Challenges the Whole World to single combat - and commences his first trial of skill, here in Moorfields, after which it is his intention to persue his Travels, and visit every Court in Europe - Asia - Africa - and America'. The bear wears a plumed crown, a collar inscribed 'Paul Bruin', to which are attached the massive links of a chain. His drawn sword is 'Temper'd-á-lá-Suwarrow!' On his shield is a grotesque head with gaping mouth, and the inscription 'Swallow All O.' Pitt wears a plumed helmet and light armour. His sword is 'Temper'd á-lá Nelson', his shield is inscribed 'Howe', 'Duncan', 'Nelson', 'Jervaise' [St. Vincent], 'Warren', 'Parker'. The platform is surrounded by a dense and jovial crowd. The windows and roofs of the adjacent houses are crowded with tiny waving figures; a boy sits on the high wall before a bunding inscribed 'Moor Fields' and probably intended for Bedlam
Alternative Title:
Magnanimous Paul O! challenging all O
Description:
Title and date from Rowlandson print after this drawing., Attributed to Woodward., For the print based on this drawing see: Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires, v. 8, no. 9702., and For further information, consult library staff.
Subject (Name):
Pitt, William, 1759-1806, Paul I, Emperor of Russia, 1754-1801, St. Vincent, John Jervis, Viscount, 1735-1823., Howe, Richard Howe, Earl, 1726-1799., Duncan of Camperdown, Adam Duncan, Viscount, 1731-1804., Nelson, Horatio Nelson, Viscount, 1758-1805., and Suvorov, Aleksandr Vasilʹevich, kni︠a︡zʹ Italiĭskiĭ, 1730-1800.