At the opening of the year 1803, although the storm clouds of war were ominously gathering, yet all seemed peace. The English enjoyed the rare treat of visiting France, and, generally, being of the better class, were well received. The year opens in a kindly spirit with ‘The first kiss these ten Years! or the meeting of Britannia and Citizen François’ (Gillray, January 1, 1803), which is a remarkably good caricature. Britannia, owing to the peace, has grown prosperous, and stout; her trident and shield are put away in a corner, and the portraits of Napoleon and George the Third repose, in loving juxtaposition, on the wall, intertwined with palm-branches. Says Citizen François (his sword and cocked hat being laid aside), ‘Madame, permettez me to pay my profound esteem to your engaging person! and to seal on your divine Lips my everlasting attachment.’ Madame Britannia replies, ‘Monsieur, you are so truly a well bred Gentleman! and tho’ you make me blush, yet you kiss so delicately, that I cannot refuse you; tho’ I was sure you would deceive me again!!!’
A most amusing picture (Gillray, January 1, 1803) is that called ‘German Nonchalance, or the vexation of Little Boney. vide the Diplomatique’s late Journey through Paris.’ It represents the Austrian ambassador being driven furiously through Paris, his luggage being directed ‘à Londres.’
| FROM INDIGENCE IN CORSICA TO AFFLUENCE IN FRANCE. | FROM ASPIRING AMBITION TO THE SUMMIT OF POWER. | FROM CALAIS TO DOVER, WHERE LITTLE JOHN BULL DOES THE CORSICAN OVER.[69] |
With the utmost insouciance, he is taking a pinch of snuff, calmly regarding Napoleon, who is standing on some steps, and is in a fearful rage. With arms and legs outstretched, and his hat fallen off, he yells out, ‘Ha, diable! va t’en, Impertinent! va t’en! is dere von Man oh Earth who not worship little Boney? Soldats! aux Armes! revenge! ah! Sacre Dieu, je suis tout tremblant.’ The soldiers, however, although preparing to draw their swords, do not appear to be particularly anxious to avenge their insulted leader.
This incident arose from the Austrian minister neglecting to pay his respects to the First Consul, whilst passing through Paris.
As an evidence of the uneasiness of public political feeling, take the following. In January 1803 was published a caricature by Raymond, called ‘Leap Frog.’ Napoleon has already jumped over the bowed backs of Holland and Spain. The poor Dutchman exclaims, ‘He has left the Swiss and Italians a Mile behind—and as for me he has knocked my hat off and broken my pipe—pretty encouragement this to play at Leap-frog.’ The don ruefully says that ‘By St. Jago—my back is almost broken.’ Napoleon is now jumping over Hanover, who plaintively asks, ‘Why did I submit to this?’ but the conqueror only says, ‘Keep down your head Master Hanoverian, my next leap shall be over John Bull.’ But that individual, who looks uncommonly belligerent, with clenched fists, exclaims, ‘I’ll be d—d if you do Master Corsican.’
The English Government, seeing how Napoleon was aggrandising himself, and seeing also that this country, alone, could save the liberty of Europe, did not hurry to conform with the treaty of Amiens, and surrender all the advantages gained by the late long struggle; and although, with reluctance, the Cape, and other Batavian settlements, were given up, excuses were always to be found for not evacuating Malta.
On January 25, Lord Whitworth and Talleyrand had an interview, and the latter, after bitterly complaining of the licence of the British press, which he said ought to be curbed, or suppressed, asked plainly what were the intentions of the British Government with regard to Malta? It is to this interview, probably, that the following caricature owed its existence. How Cobbett lashed Addington, for his nepotism, in his ‘Annual Register’!!
‘The Evacuation of Malta’ (Gillray, February 9, 1803) is vividly, almost too graphically, depicted. Ferocious little Bonaparte has hold of poor frightened Addington by his necktie, and, by flourishing his enormous sword, compels him to evacuate Malta, Egypt, Cape of Good Hope, St. Domingo, Guadaloup, and Martinique. In vain Addington pleads, ‘Pray do not insist upon Malta! I shall certainly be turned out! and I have a great many Cousins and Uncles and Aunts to provide for yet.’ But his merciless enemy will hear of no compromise, and yells out ‘All! All! you Jean F—t—e! and think yourself well off that I leave you Great Britain!!!’ A French officer mildly remonstrates, and suggests, ‘My General, you had better not get him turned out, for we shall not be able to humbug them any more.’