Another caricature (artist unknown, April 16, 1803), called ‘A stoppage to a Stride over the Globe,’ shows a colossal Napoleon bestriding the World, whilst a small John Bull, on England, is hacking at his foot, with a sword. Napoleon, in disgust, is calling out, ‘Ah! who is it dares to interrupt me in my progress?’ ‘Why, ’tis I, little Johnny Bull, protecting a little spot I clap my hand on, and d—n me if you come any farther—that’s all.’
Ansell, too, the same date (April 16, 1803), drew ‘The Governor of Europe, Stoped in his career, or Little B——n too much for great B——te.’ Here a huge Bonaparte has attempted to put his foot on Britain, and John Bull has cut it off. Napoleon, dancing with pain and loss of blood, drops his sword, yells out, ‘Ah, you tam John Bull!! You have spoil my Dance!! You have ruined all my Projets.’ Little John Bull, pointing to his native land, says, ‘I ax pardon, Master Boney, but as we says, Paws off, Pompey, we keep this little spot to ourselves, you must not dance here Master Boney.’
Rowlandson (May 1, 1803), brought out ‘John Bull listening to the quarrels of State affairs.’ Napoleon is talking to the Chancellor, and says, ‘And so—if you do so, I do so.’ The Chancellor, in an evident fright, exclaims tremulously, ‘Oh! Oh!!’ whilst old John Bull looks on, listening, all eyes and expectation, with his hair on end, ‘I declare my very wig stands on end with curiosity. What can they be quareling about? O that I could but be let into the secret! If I ax our gentleman concerning it, it is ten to one if he tells me the right story.’
On May 2, 1803, Gillray produced a very effective caricature called ‘Doctor Sangrado curing John Bull of Repletion, with the kind offices of young Clyster pipe[70] and little Boney. A hint from Gil Blas.’ John Bull is seated, very weak indeed, held up by Lord Hawkesbury. Fox and Sheridan are behind, bringing warm water, and everybody in the drawing is exhorting the patient to ‘Courage.’ Addington is performing the operation, and the blood streams forth copiously. Napoleon catches in his cocked hat, Ceylon, Malta, Cape of Good Hope, and West Indies; whilst young Clyster pipe holds out his hat, labelled ‘Clerk of the Pells,’ and catches a stream ‘3,000l. per annum.’ This scandalous job, his father having given him this lucrative sinecure when he was very young, excited much adverse comment at the time.
‘Britannia repremanding a Naughty Boy!’ (artist unknown, May 3, 1803). Britannia, with a helmet on her head, her shield by her side, a spear in one hand, and a birch rod in the other, stands on the shore at Dover. On the top of the cliffs is a crown on a cushion. Napoleon, attired, as usual, in an enormous cocked hat, stands on the shore at Calais, whimpering, ‘I’m tired of this great hat, I will have that crown.’ But says Britannia: ‘Stay where you are, you little troublesome Urchin. If once you cross the Dyke you’ll get a good birchin!’
‘Lunar Speculations’ is the whimsical title of a picture by Ansell, May 3, 1803. Bonaparte is looking through a large telescope, mounted on a tripod, at the moon; and he is saying: ‘I wonder the Idea never struck me before! The place would easily be taken, and has undoubtedly great capabilities—Besides they would make me Emperor:—and then, the sound of the Title Emperor of the Full Moon—oh! delightful! I’ll send for Garner[71] and his balloons and set about the scheme immediately.’ John Bull, looking at him quizzically, and holding his very fat sides, says: ‘What! going to revolutionize the Moon, Bonny? That’s a good one, however—To be sure, you talk’d of paying a visit to my little island, and one should certainly be as easily accomplished as the other.’
The situation was getting more strained daily, and Napoleon did not mend matters by his studied discourtesy to Lord Whitworth.
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