Amusements des Anglais à Paris

description below

“A grossly obese John Bull and his lean and ugly wife, both wearing hats, sit on upright chairs, gormandizing. The man holds a whole chicken to his mouth, taking a huge bite. The woman (left) faces him, biting a large melon which she holds with both hands to an enormous mouth. He is morosely savage, she is melancholy; both are gap-toothed. On the ground (right) by the man’s chair are collected a ham or gigot, a large irregular (?) galantine, a raised pie: ‘pâté de périgueux’, a huge jar of ‘vin de lafitte’ round which four bottles are grouped: ‘frontignac’, ‘Clos de Vouge[ot]’, and ‘. . . seac’. Beside the woman are a basket and tray filled with grapes, peaches, and pears. Through a wide doorway (left) the street is seen with a seated fruit-seller who serves three grotesquely hideous Englishwomen. Two are lank and emaciated, one tries to stuff a big peach into an immense mouth, holding an armful of grapes and peaches; the other gnaws at a bunch of grapes held in both hands. The third, also with bulging cheeks, bites a peach. The fruit-seller’s tray is empty; she holds out her last peach. All the women wear small absurd hats or caps, tight long-waisted bodices (coloured) with long white skirts (cf. No. 12359).”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Title: Amusements des Anglais à Paris [graphic].
  • Publication: A Paris : Chez Martinet, Libraire, Rue de Coq St. Honoré, [between 1814 and 1815]

Catalog Record

814.11.00.01

Acquired April 2024

Iohn Bull refreshing the bears memory

description below

“John Bull, a sturdy citizen, displays to the Tsar who is a crowned bear on its hind-legs (left), an enormous open book: ‘John Bulls Journal’. This rests on the ground, and reaches to John’s chest; he points to the right.-hand page: ‘The Great the Magnanimous Catherine of Russia seized upon One third of the Kingdom of Poland and Kept it to herself – These Peaceful Danes Seiz’d on the City of Hamburgh.’ He says: “So you say Master Bruin, that my visit to Denmark has no parallel in History- do be so good as to turn your spectacles to this page and refresh Your Memory.” The bear peers gloomily through huge spectacles at the page. Round his neck is a collar: ‘This Bear belongs to Napoleo[n]’.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Cruikshank, Isaac, 1764-1811, printmaker.
  • Title: Iohn Bull refreshing the bears memory [graphic] / Cruickshank [sic] sct.
  • Publication: London : Published by T. Tegg, 111 Cheapside, Decr. 20, 1807.

Catalog Record

807.12.20.01+

Acquired February 2024

Bull bamboozled both ways

description below

Wellington (as Constable of the Tower of London) holds a pistol to the head of John Bull, as Henry Goulburn (Chancellor of the Exchequer) harangues Bull from the other side, forcing John to reach into his pockets to pay for the rebuilding of the Tower of London, seen burning in the background.

  • Printmaker: Grant, C. J. (Charles Jameson), active 1830-1852, printmaker.
  • Title: Bull bamboozled both ways – robbed in one department, and burnt out in another [graphic] / C.J.G.
  • Publication: London : Printed and published by B.D. Cousins, 18, Duke-Street, Lincoln’s-Inn-Fields, [after 30 October 1841]

Catalog Record

841.10.30.01++

Acquired February 2024

The governor of Europe stoped [sic] in his career…

description below

“Napoleon, trampling over the map of Europe from ‘Germany’ to the ‘British Channel’, drops his sabre and raises his left leg, leaving behind the front part of his left foot, planted on the coast and sea between ‘Holland’ and ‘France’. The foot has been slashed off by a little John Bull, who stands on the ocean pointing down at the two islands of ‘Great Britain’ and ‘Ireland’, towards which the amputated foot points. John holds a dripping sword, and looks up at the angry giant, saying, “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.” Blood gushes from both sides of the amputation. Bonaparte, who wears his huge cocked hat, shouts, with gestures of pain and anger: “Ah you tam John Bull!! You have spoil my Dance, !! You have ruin all my Projets!!” ‘Switzerland’ and ‘Italy’ are also marked on the map in close proximity to France.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Williams, Charles, active 1797-1830, printmaker.
  • Title: The governor of Europe stoped [sic] in his career, or, Little B-n to [sic] much for great B-te [graphic].
  • Publication: [London] : Pubd. April 16, 1803, by S.W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly, [16 April 1803]

Catalog Record

803.04.16.01

Acquired November 2023

The first exploit of the modern Quixote

description below

“Burdett in armour stands with legs astride, sword raised, left fist clenched, making an onslaught on a book which is on the ground, its pages slashed and tattered. On these are fragments of inscriptions: ‘Red Book for the . . .’; ‘Treasury’; ‘Pensions’ [twice]; ‘Pensions 4000, 3000, 2.400’; ‘Teller o the Ex[chequer] . . . 6000 4.000’; ‘Sinecu[res]’. He declaims: “I will not stop, – till I have cut out the accursed leaves of the Red Book!!!” His sword-blade is ‘Took’s Improved Steel’. On the right Tooke peers at him, holding aside a curtain; he says: “Come Come my pupil goes on better than I expected – very indeed for a beginning yes – yes – he’ll do after a little practice” [see British Museum Satires No. 10731, &c.]. He holds a book: ‘Diversions of Purley’ [see (e.g.) British Museum Satires No. 9020]. On the left John Bull, dressed as Sancho Panza with a short tunic and ruff, gapes at his master, his hands on his knees. He says: “What the deuce is he at now! he will certainly get himself into some scrape or other.” Mambrino’s helmet (the barber’s basin) lies at Burdett’s feet; it has a tricolour cockade and three feathers.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Williams, Charles, active 1797-1830, printmaker.
  • Title: The first exploit of the modern Quixote, or, John Bull turned Sancho Panza [graphic].
  • Publication: [London] : Pubd. June 1807 by Walker, No. 7 Cornhill, [June 1807]

Catalog Record

807.06.00.05+

Acquired February 2024

Iohn Bull makeing a naval enqury

description below

“John Bull, as a burly and ugly sailor, sits enthroned (right), listening to Melville’s plea of innocence. Melville, in Highland dress, and wearing a feathered bonnet, stands in profile to the right. with clasped hands and flexed knees; he says: “Indeed Mr Bull – I knaw nae more aboot it – than Johnny Groat o’the Highlands.” Trotter lurks behind him (left) furtively twitching his superior’s kilt, and jerking his thumb to the left.; he says: “Take my advice – and let us Trot off while we are well, he looks confounded inquisitive.” John scowls and glares pugnaciously, saying, “Why Look ye – de ye see – I dont come for to go for to say – exactly, that you sack’d the cole – all I say is the Shiners set sail – and as you had the care of the Hatches – it is, likely, you should know what Port they steer’d into! I say let’s look at your log book Old one.” He wears striped trousers and a knotted scarf; in his hat is a tobacco-pipe. His chair stands on a dais and is decorated with a crowned anchor and dolphins.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Williams, Charles, active 1797-1830, printmaker.
  • Title: Iohn Bull makeing [sic] a naval enqury [sic] [graphic].
  • Publication: [London] : Pubd. April 1st, 1805, by S.W. Fores, 50 Piccadilly, [1 April 1805]

Catalog Record

805.04.01.01+

Acquired April 2023

The faith of treaties exemplified

description below

“A huge bull, snorting fire, rushes with lowered head towards a French fort (left) from which cannon-balls descend upon him. Beneath the fort sansculottes on one knee fire at the bull while standing French soldiers, correctly dressed, also fire. On the fortress stand Frenchmen, firing and waving their hats; they shout: “Vive la republic, Blood & plunder, no Quarter to John Bull!” A huge tricolour flag has a staff surmounted by a skull. To the bull’s back is strapped a bundle inscribed ‘Debt Debt’. One horn has been shot off and lies on the ground. To his left hind leg is chained a heavy weight inscribed ‘Subsidies’. Nevertheless, he cries: “Now my brave Allies let us all stand firm together & make a bold push, & I’ll be Answerable for the Event.” But behind him (right) his allies have all turned their backs and are departing in directions indicated by signposts. A fat Dutchman smoking a pipe goes ‘To Amsterdam’, saying, “I care not who beats, I’ll join the Strongest Party”. Frederick William II (father-in-law of the Duke of York) walks off ‘To Berlin’, saying, “I’ve fingerd the Cash from both Sides, & will now employ it to Secure the Partition of Poland”; “Negociate with Robertspierre privately & then – Damn Relationship!!!” Next, a Spanish don, Charles IV, goes ‘To Madrid’, saying, “Whats the Bourbon Family to me when they Impede my Interest. Hush!! I am now treating for a Separate peace with that Blackguard Roberspere to Secure my own Crown – I must enlarge the Powers of the Inquisition”. On the extreme right Francis II and Mack in a two-wheeled gig, on which is the Habsburg eagle, are driving off ‘To Vienna’. The Emperor says: “Well Mack we have made a Glorious Campaign of it; of what use are the Low Countries without they continue to fill my Coffers? As for John Bull, let him settle the business as he can he loves to be meddling”.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Cruikshank, Isaac, 1756?-1811?, printmaker.
  • Title: The faith of treaties exemplified, or, John Bulls last effort to oblige his false friends [graphic].
  • Publication: [London] : Pub. July 17, 1794, by S.W. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly, [17 July 1794]

Catalog Record

794.07.17.01+

Acquired January 2021

The peace soup shop

description below

“John Bull sits full face holding a bowl of soup, between Addington, the cook, and the protesting Windham on the extreme right. On the left Pitt sits in profile to the left before an enormous kitchen fire, over which hangs a giant cauldron; he blows the fire with bellows, saying, ‘I dont know how it is – but I manage this Soup business rather awkwardly – I suppose it is from being so much used to the stewing and Broiling line.’ Addington, who wears the Speaker’s wig with apron and over-sleeves, and holds a long ladle, says: ‘Though I say it that made it – you never tasted better soup in your life’. Windham (right) stands in profile to the left his knees flexed, saying, ‘O’ Mr Bull – Mr Bull – if you have any regard for your Constitution – dont touch it – the Cayen of Jacobinism flavours every spoonful – and the Fire that boil it I consider as a Funeral Pile for all your well wishes – do Johnny take some of my Cheese-parings – they are very wholesome, and easy of Digestion.’ John says, his eyes turned towards Addington, his spoon raised to his mouth: ‘I don’t mind what he says – my Hearty I say it’s very good Soup – and a d——d deal better [word erased] than your Gin. I should like a little more bread for all that, and it would be quite as well – if it did not taste so strong of the Ceylon pepper.'”British Museum online catalogue.

 

  • Printmaker: Roberts, Piercy, active 1791-1805, printmaker.
  • Title: The peace soup shop [graphic] / Woodward delin. ; etch’d by Roberts.
  • Publication: [London] : [publisher not identified], [ca. March 1802]

Catalog Record 

802.03.00.04+

Acquired September 2020

Olympic games, or, John Bull introducing his new ambassador

description below

“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.

 

  • Author: Cruikshank, Isaac, 1756?-1811?, printmaker.
  • Title: Olympic games, or, John Bull introducing his new ambassador to the Grand Consul [graphic] / Cruikshank del.
  • Publication: [London] : Pub. by S.W. Fores, N. 50 Piccadilly, London, June 16, 1803.

Catalog Record

803.06.16.02+

Acquired January 2021