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Destruction of the French Gun-Boats -or- Little Boney & his Friend Talley in High Glee, 22 November 1803

 Item — Box: LF104/7 Box 1
Reference code: LF104/7/51
Destruction of the French Gun-Boats -or- Little Boney & his Friend Talley in High Glee, 22 November 1803
Destruction of the French Gun-Boats -or- Little Boney & his Friend Talley in High Glee, 22 November 1803

Scope and Contents

Artist: James Gillray. Published: Hannah Humphrey. Napoleon sits on the shoulder of Talleyrand gleefully peering through a large rolled document at the Channel, where the French flotilla is being destroyed by shells from British ships. Talleyrand stands behind the gun embrasures of a fortress on a cliff at whose base the gunboats are foundering. He wears a general's uniform with a long cloak; the crown of his cocked hat is a bishop's mitre. He holds Bonaparte's legs, grinning delightedly. Napoleon's document is 'Talleyrand's plan for Invading Great Britain'; he says: "O my dear Talley, what a glorious sight! - we've worked up Johnny Bull into a fine passion! - my good fortune never leaves me! - I shall now get rid of a hundred- Thousand French Cut Throats whom I was so afraid of! - O my dear Talley, this beats the Egyptian Poisoning hollow! - Bravo, Johnny! - pepper 'em, Johnny!" On a flag (left) behind the pair are a skull and cross-bones, the skull looking down with a sinister stare. On the horizon is the English coast, with Dover Castle on a cliff. Description from the British Museum.

Dates

  • Creation: 22 November 1803

Conditions Governing Access

Physical item available by appointment in our Reading Room

Extent

1.0 Item(s)

Language of Materials

English