English Caricature and Satire on Napoleon I. Volume II (of 2)

We have seen the European monarchs sitting down to a game of quadrille. Ansell (August 1808) gives us its conclusion. Spain has suddenly arisen, and, upsetting the table, seizes Napoleon by the throat, accusing him of foul play: ‘I tell you, you are a Scoundrel, and if you do not restore my King, whom you have stolen from the other table, and reinstate Ponto– by the honor of a Spanish Patriot, I will strangle you.’ Trembling Bonaparte replies, ‘Don’t be so boisterous, I only borrowed him, merely to make up the pack.’ The Pope is on the floor, and the stolid Dutchman, with his hat in hand, says, ‘Donder and Blixens, I be quite tired of de game. Yaw! Yaw! now is de time for me to rise.’ At the other table all take a lively interest in the squabble. George the Third rises from his seat and grasps his ‘heart of oak’ stick, saying, ‘What! what! a dust, eh? so much the better. Boney got the worst of the game. I must lend a hand.’ Russia, with hand on sword, turns in his chair, remarking that ‘Now is the time to rub off the rust of Tilsit.’ Prussia rises, exclaiming, ‘If I don’t take advantage of the present opportunity, I shall indeed be a Prussian Cake.’ Austria reaches his hat and sword from its peg on the wall, and says, ‘Ah! Ah! the game has taken a different turn from what I expected, I must not be idle.’

The next caricature relates to the bad success of Napoleon’s arms. The raising the siege of Saragossa, the defeat of Vimiera, and the Convention of Cintra, by which the French were to evacuate Portugal, were not facts likely to be relished in France.

‘The Fox and the Grapes’ is another of Woodward’s (September 15, 1808), where the Corsican Fox interviews the Gallic Cock. The former says, ‘Believe me, my dear Doodle doo, you would not like them – I found them so sour that I absolutely could not touch them,’ in answer to the Cock’s query – ‘But my good friend, you promised to bring me home some Spanish Grapes and Portugal plums: where are they?’

‘Prophecy explained’ is by Rowlandson (September 17, 1808), and the text taken is from the Revelation of St. John (chap. xvii. verse 10): ‘And there are seven kings, five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come, and when he cometh he must continue but a short space.’ The five that are fallen are the Kings of Würtemberg, Saxony, Holland, Bavaria, and Prussia, and these have fallen into a ‘Slough of Disgrace and Ridicule.’ The ‘one that is,’ it is needless to say, is Napoleon; and the ‘one that continued but a short space,’ is King Joseph, who, having been chased beyond the Pyrenees, has his crown snatched from him. There are many other caricatures on this subject of the flight of Joseph, but, although interesting, they hardly come within the scope of personal satire on Napoleon.

Rowlandson gives us (September 20, 1808) ‘Napoleon the little in a Rage with his great French Eagle!!’ Napoleon, with his sword drawn, and his hands clenched, is in a terrible rage with his brother Joseph, who, under the guise of a crowned eagle, is limping along with one leg in a sling. Napoleon thus addresses him: ‘Confusion and Destruction – what is this I see? Did I not command you not to return till you had spread your Wing of Victory over the whole Spanish Nation?’ And the poor bird meekly replies: ‘Aye, its fine talking Nap, but if you had been there, you would not much have liked it – The Spanish Cormorants pursued me in such a manner, that they not only disabled one of my legs, but set me a moulting in such a terrible way that I wonder I had not lost every feather; besides, it got so hot, I could not bear it any longer.’

There is a caricature (September 24, 1808) of ‘A hard passage, or Boney playing Base on the Continent.’ He is here represented as playing on the bass viol from the score of the ‘Conquest of Spain and Portugal.’ His task seems hard, and he exclaims: ‘Plague take it! I never met with so difficult a passage before. But, if I can once get over the Flats, we shall do pretty well, for you see the Key will then change into B sharp.’ A muzzled Russian bear is trying to play on the French horn, and says: ‘Why that is Natural enough, brother Boney, though this French horn of yours seems rather out of order.’

CHAPTER XLVI

PENINSULAR WAR, continued– MEETING AT ERFURT

‘The Valley of the Shadow of Death’ is, as far as I know, the last caricature of Gillray (September 24, 1808) in connection with Napoleon – if, indeed, it can be called a caricature, for it is far too serious in its conception. Napoleon’s situation at the moment is here firmly grasped. He is surrounded by enemies. With notched sword in hand, he leads the Russian bear. He is pursued by the German eagle and the spirit of Charles XII. Above is the ‘Turkish New Moon Rising in blood,’ the obscured portion of which is represented by ‘French Influence,’ the bright crescent as ‘English Influence,’ and the whole is dropping blood. A fiery comet, with a tiara as a nucleus (the Pope), is darting thunderbolts of excommunication upon him; whilst Junot and Dupont, shackled together at their necks, amidst clouds, seem to warn him of his fate. Immediately in front of him is a Portuguese wolf, which has broken its chain, a Sicilian terrier, and the Leo Britannicus. Death also appears, lance in one hand, hour-glass in the other, on a mule of ‘True Royal Spanish breed.’ In the Ditch of Styx is disappearing ‘Rex Joseph,’ whose hands and crown alone appear above water. Creeping upwards from the slime of the Lethean Ditch, is ‘The Rhenish Confederation of starved Rats, crawling out of the Mud,’ also ‘Dutch Frogs spitting out their spite’; whilst the ‘American Rattle Snake is shaking his tail,’ and the ‘Prussian scarecrow is attempting to fly.’

Certainly ‘Nap and his Partner Joe’ is not one of Rowlandson’s happiest efforts (September 29, 1808). Some Dons are kicking the brothers into the gaping jaws of a devil, singing meanwhile, ‘So seeing we were finely nick’d. Plump to the Devil we boldly kick’d. Both Nap and his Partner Joe.’

‘Nap and His fiends in their glory’ (October 1, 1808) shews him, his brother Joseph, Death, and the Devil, carousing. Napoleon is rising and giving a toast. ‘Come, gentlemen, here is success to Plunder and Massacre.’ There is below a song to the tune of ‘Drops of Brandy.’

NAPThese Spaniards are terrible rogues,They will not submit to my fetters;With patience so gracefully worn,Nay, sought for, by Nations their betters.But let us return to the ChargeAnd no longer with lenity treat them.Once get them to lay down their arms,And I warrant, brave boys, we shall beat them.Rum ti iddidy – iddidyRum ti iddidy – ido.DEATHBrother Boney, we’ll never despair,A trusty good friend I have found you.Kill, plunder, and burn and destroy,And deal desolation around you.Then gaily let’s push round the glass,We’ll sing and we’ll riot and revel,And I’m sure we shall have on our sideOur very good friend, here, the Devil.Rum ti, &c.THE DEVILBelieve me, friend Death, you are right.Although I’m an ugly old fellow,When mischief is getting afloat,O! then I am jolly and mellow.As soon as these Spaniards are crush’d,Again we’ll be merry and sing Sirs,And that we will quickly accomplish,And Joey here, he shall be King, Sirs.Rum ti, &c.DON JOEYExcuse me from lending my aid,You may jointly pursue them and spike them;But lately, I’ve seen them – and own,I speak the plain truth, – I don’t like them.They Liberty cherish so dear,That they constantly make her their guide, O,Who pleases may make themselves King,But may I be d – d if I do.Rum ti, &c.

‘Apollyon, the Devil’s Generalissimo, addressing his legions,’ a portion of which is here reproduced, is by I. Cruikshank (October 7, 1808). His speech is as follows: ‘Legions of Death. After having ravished, murdered, and plundered, on the banks of the Danube, and the Vistula, I shall order you to march through France, without allowing you a moment’s rest!! I have occasion for you – the hideous presence of Religion, and Loyalty, contaminates the Continent of Spain, and Portugal. Let your aspect drive them away from thence; let us carry our conquering Eagles to the gates of Heaven: there also we have an injury to avenge– you have exceeded all modern murderers – you have placed yourselves on a level with the most ferocious cannibals– Eternal War, Robbery, and Plunder shall be the reward of your Exertions, for I never can enjoy rest till the Sea is covered with your Blood!!’ And the army rejoice, shouting: ‘Ha, Ha, more Blood!’

A rather clever broadside, artist unknown (October 1808), shows us ‘General Nap turned Methodist Preacher.’ Napoleon, in a black gown, occupies the pulpit, having in his hand a musket with fixed bayonet, on which is a windmill, and, in his wig, he has fixed a cross, tricoloured flag, surmounted by a cap of liberty, and a crescent. In the vestry hang a military uniform, an episcopal mitre, and chasuble, or cope – a Turkish costume, a bottle of arsenic for the poor sick of Jaffa, a musket labelled ‘Scarecrow,’ and a bloody dagger, which does duty as the ‘Imperial Cross.’ A general acts as clerk, the organ pipes are cannon, and the audience, when not military, is seated on drums. The letterpress is as follows: ‘General Nap turned Methodist Preacher, a new attempt to gull the credulous; dedicated to Mr. Whitbread. “Dear Sam, repeat my Words, but not my Actions.” “Dearly beloved brethren, Honour, Country, liberty! this is the order of the day; far from us all idea of conquest, bloodshed, and war. Religion and true Philosophy must ever be our maxim. Liberty, a free Constitution, and no Taxes, that is our cry. No Slave trade; humanity shudders at the very thought of it!! The brave, the excellent, English detest it. Yea, we shall all be happy. Commerce, Plenty, and all sorts of pretty things will be our lot. Good Jacobins, rise and assert your rights. And you, brave soldiers, the honour of France, Plunder and Blood shall once more be your cry. Double pay and cities burnt will come down in showers upon you. Yea! ye shall all be Generals, all be members of the Legion of Honour! The Eagles will once more cover the world. Now is the time to destroy Great Britain, that treacherous country which always seeks our ruin. Honour and Victory will lead us.

‘“Dear Countrymen, without good faith there is no tie in this world. Dear Jacobins, we all acknowledge no God, and nothing else. Let the Altars be lighted up, and your organs play the Marseillois, that sacred air, which fires every Frenchman’s breast. Yea, I swear by this holy Cross I now hold in my hands, and in this sacred place, that you are all free, and without restraint, that my intentions are pure, and that I wish for nothing else but Peace, Plunder, and Liberty! Amen!!”’

‘Political Quacks, or the Erfurt Co-partnership commencing Business’ (artist unknown, November 1808) shows Napoleon, as a quack doctor, on a stage with a muzzled bear (Russia), who is distributing handbills, and says: ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, I am proud to say, as well as my muzzle will permit me, that I have a large share in the concern.’ Seated behind Napoleon are his different patients, whilst Death, grinning through a curtain, calls out: ‘Walk up, walk up, kill or cure.’ Napoleon himself, as the quack doctor, has in his hand one of his famous cannon-ball pills, one of which ‘is a dose,’ and a trayful of them is on the floor of the stage. They are named Naples, Egypt, Lodi, Alps, Switzerland, &c.; and he declaims: ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, depend upon it here is no deception. Observe the patients ranged behind me. On my right, a Prussian Gentleman, who was much afflicted with a complication of disorders, till I cured him by administering a few leaden Boluses – next to him is an Austrian patient, entirely reliev’d by my Austerlitz draught, next to him is a Spaniard, whose case is rather doubtful – I won’t say much about it. The next is a Dutchman – he was a little crack’d, but I have made him as lame as a frog – beyond him is an old gentleman of the Popish persuasion, whom I cured with one bottle of my Italian drops – there are many more in the background, whom I have cured of various disorders, or have now in my care – but, Ladies and Gentlemen, let me particularly draw your attention to the great Russian bear, once a very fierce animal, but dumb like the rest of his species, but after taking a dose of my Friedland Pills, and an application of the Tilsit powder, he is able to converse like a rational being!!!’ Talleyrand, who is on the stage, calls out: ‘Ah, Master Bull, what, are you among the crowd? come now, you and your Sweedish Friend had better step up into the Booth, and take a dose or two of my Master’s pills.’ But John Bull surlily declines the invitation with, ‘We’ll see you and your Master d – d first.’

This of course refers to the meeting of Napoleon and Alexander at Erfurt, where, besides, were collected the Kings of Prussia, Saxony, Bavaria, Würtemberg, and Westphalia, the Prince Primate, the Princes of Anhalt, Coburg, Saxe Weimar, Darmstadt, Baden, Nassau, and Mecklenburg. The two great potentates rivalled each other in their courtesies. But solid business was also to be done; they did not meet simply to waste their time in fêtes. Napoleon engaged not to meddle with Alexander’s designs on Sweden and Turkey, and not to help the Poles. Alexander, on his side, promised not to interfere in Spain, and to recognise the Kings of Spain and Naples. And they wrote a joint letter to George the Third, proposing a general peace, on the basis that each should keep what he had. The English Government, however, asked that Spain and Sweden should be parties; but this, not suiting the designs of the Imperial thieves, the negotiations came to an end.

Nap, with the Russian Emp’ror, now,Became quite free, we must allow;At Erfurth, the appointed spot,They met together, as I wot,And German kings and princes, too,Were present at this interview;Save Emp’ror Francis,17 who, they say,Sent an apology that day.How many compliments were paid,How great the pomp that was display’d.Oh, nothing – nothing could be granderThan Bonaparte and Alexander!Alternately they dined together,And often rode out in fine weather;To be so jovial, gay, and free,Suited Napoleon to a T.Thro’ Alexander’s mediationWith England, a negociationWas set a going, for the endOf leaving Spain without a friend.The British monarch, ever wise,Refus’d t’ abandon his allies,Still Spain by England was protected,And Boney’s terms with scorn rejected.

An unknown artist (November 19, 1808) gives ‘The Progress of the Emperor Napoleon.’ At first he is represented as ‘A Ragged Headed Corsican Peasant’; next, ‘Studying mischief at the Royal Academy at Paris’; then ‘An Humble Ensign in a Republican Corps requesting a situation in the British Army’; afterwards, ‘A determined Atheistical Republican General, ordering his men to fire on the Parisians vollies of grape shot.’ He then changes to ‘A Turk at Grand Cairo’; afterwards he became ‘A runaway from Egypt’; then ‘A devout Catholic,’ and, finally, ‘An Emperor on a throne of iniquities’: on which throne is inscribed, ‘Murders – Duke d’Enghien, Prisoners at Jaffa, Palm, Capt. Williams, Pichegru, Cahon, Toussaint, &c., &c. Robberies innumerable.’

CHAPTER XLVII

RETREAT TO CORUNNA – THE BROKEN BRIDGE OVER THE DANUBE – WAGRAM – JOSEPHINE’S DIVORCE

In the year 1809 there are very few caricatures of Napoleon. After the taking of Madrid, Sir John Moore thought it prudent to retreat, which he did, and, after many difficulties, reached Corunna. The repulse of the French there, although at the cost of Sir John Moore’s life, enabled the troops to be embarked.

Napoleon had but little rest, for in March the Austrians again took up arms against him, to which he replied by victoriously marching to Vienna, which was bombarded before it capitulated. One incident in this campaign was seized upon by the caricaturist. There had been much fighting about Aspern and Essling, with pretty equal fortune, until the destruction of a bridge, caused by a sudden rise of the Danube, which brought down timber rafts, barges, &c., deprived Napoleon of all the advantage he had gained, and compelled him to retreat to the island of Lobau.

There is a caricature by Rowlandson (June 12, 1809) of ‘Boney’s Broken Bridge.’ An aged general, cocked-hat in hand, is thus addressing Napoleon: ‘With all due deference to your little Majesty – It was the Austrian Fire-boats that destroyed the Bridge.’ Napoleon, however, turns on him savagely, and, pointing to the broken bridge, says, ‘Ah! who is it that dares contradict me, I say it was some floating timber, and the high swell of the river that caused the Shocking Accident.’ The Austrian army, on the opposite bank, are singing a paraphrase of ‘London bridge is broken down’: —

Boney’s Bridge is broken down,Dance over the Lady Lea —Boney’s Bridge is broken down,By an Arch Duke – ee.18

Ansell gives his version of this event, shewing the Austrian Archduke, pickaxe in hand, having destroyed the bridge, and, pointing to some ducks and geese, he sings: —

The Ducks and the Geese with ease swim over,Fal de rol de rido, Fal de rol de rido.The Ducks and the Geese with ease swim over,Fal de rol de rido, Fal de rol de rido.

But Napoleon, dancing with rage, on the other side, yells out, ‘You Rascal you! How dare you break down my Bridge, If I knew how to get over, this invincible arm should make you repent your rashness.’ In the background an officer calls out to the army, ‘Invincible Army go back, the bridge is broke down and we should not be able to run away.’

It was in this retreat that Lannes was killed – but it was avenged at Wagram, a battle that so crippled the Austrians that they had to ask an armistice, which afterwards led to a peace between the rival nations.

It seems he wanted satisfaction,So Wagram was the scene of action.By some, however, ’tis believ’d,The Emp’ror Francis was deceiv’d,That Boney had, in his caprice,Made secret overtures for peace,And a connubial match propos’dWith which the Cabinet had clos’d;They having been assured, that by itThey should be peaceable and quiet.And that great Bonaparte might seemA victor worthy of esteem,Unknown to Francis they acceded,To such a battle as he needed;So that the battle of Wagram,They say was nothing but a sham —In other words, – tho’ low, but certain,‘’Twas all my eye and Betty Martin.’But if a sham, as it is said,The farce was admirably played,For twenty thousand men each lost,So that they acted to their cost;But, be ’t a real one, or a mock,They fought both days till six o’clock;Nap to the vict’ry laid claim,And saved the credit of his name.Hostilities began to cease,It seems both parties thought of peace.

Sauler (August 1809) shews us ‘The rising Sun, or a view of the Continent.’ This rising sun is inscribed ‘Spain and Portugal,’ and gives great uneasiness to Napoleon, who says, ‘The rising sun has set me upon thorns.’ He is employed in rocking a cradle, in which peacefully reposes a Russian bear, muzzled with ‘Boney’s Promises.’ Behind is Sweden, who brandishes his sword, calling to Russia to ‘Awake thou Sluggard, ere the fatal blow is struck, and thou and thy execrable ally sink into eternal oblivion.’ Holland is fast asleep, and leans against Napoleon. Poland is represented by a shadow, and Denmark wears a huge extinguisher on his head. Turkey is virtually dead, on the ground; but Austria is springing into activity, exclaiming, ‘Tyrant, I defy thee and thy Cursed Crew.’ Prussia is depicted as a lunatic, with straws in his hair, wearing a strait-waistcoat, and, with a very vacuous expression of countenance, is singing, ‘Fiddle diddle dee, Fiddle diddle dee, The Mouse has married the humble bee – and I am Emperor of the Moon.’ Underneath are the following lines: —

Just as the Rising Sun dispelsThe gloom of night to bless us with new day,So genuine Patriotism expelsVindictive Tyrants from despotic Sway.Thus Spain, the source of patriotic worth(A Rising Sun of Freedom to the Earth),Invites the Captive Nations to foregoThe Yoke and crush their sanguinary foe.Why then, ye Nations, will ye not embraceThe proffer’d Freedom smiling in your face?Why dilly-dally when to sink or riseRests with yourselves – dare ye contemn the prize —Is Freedom nothing worth, that for her sakeYe dare not e’en one gen’rous effort make?Alas! infatuated Monarchs see,What is, and what your Fate must ever be.Spain is a Sun arising to illumeThe threefold horrors of your future doom,While she on Freedom’s golden wings shall tow’r,The Arbitress of Continental pow’r.Russia’s a Bear amid impending woes,Rock’d by th’ insidious Tyrant to repose.Sweden’s a Warrior of distinguished worth,Sweden hath giv’n to many heroes birth.Austria’s a Phœnix rising renovated,Whose genial warmth with Spain, incorporated,Longer disdains to crouch at the fell shrinesOf Usurpation, and the foulest crimes.Prussia, poor Prussia, with straightjacket on,And Crown of Straw, proves what delays have done.Denmark too, half extinguish’d, shows,The fruits of leaguing with old England’s foes.And Holland, drowsy Holland, dreamsOf aggrandizement, potent Kings and Queens.While Poland, a mere shadow in the rear(As proof of something once existent there),Yields to the Yoke, nor dares its shackles break,Lest by so doing, she her Freedom stake.Poor silly mortals, will ye ever bowTo the dread Shrine of Tyranny and Woe;Or by co-operation overwhelmThe Scourge of Nations, and resume the Helm?

One of the great events of this year, as regards Napoleon, was his divorce from Josephine. That he loved her, as far as he could love any woman, there is no doubt; but there were State reasons why he should have another consort. His ambition could not be satisfied till he had an heir male of his own. The dynasty he fondly hoped to found ought not to descend to any of his brothers; and none but his own son could have any hold upon the affection of the French nation.

Nap oftentimes began to swearThat he must get a son and heir —He, with affected sorrow, toldHis present lady was too old,He might as well have her grandmother,And therefore he must seek another;Yes, seek another, – so of course,He intimated a divorce —That with propriety, like HarryThe Eighth, another he might marry.This was enforc’d by his mamma,And recommended by Murat.Yet at this very time, good lack!He had a violent attack,A kind of stupor he was in,Attended by his Josephine;And, as a certain author says,It lasted very near two days;On his recovery, he cried,‘A son and heir I must provide;’Then giving Josephine a look,His head repeatedly he shook,He said – (he could refrain no longer) —‘I wish, my dear, that you were younger,But you are old, and I despairOf ever getting now an heir.’While this he said, with doleful phiz,She told him that the fault was his;For several children she’d before,And hoped to have as many more.Now Josephine display’d her spirit,Of patriotism she made a merit:‘If,’ she observ’d, ‘our separationWill be of service to the nation,Then I agree, with all my heart,My dearest Emperor – to part —That you may seek another fair,And, if you can, provide an heir.’When kindly her consent she gaveNap scarcely knew how to behave;At Josephine awhile he star’d,He humm’d a bit, and then declar’d,For fifteen years to him she’d beenAll that was lovely and serene,And that no better for himself e’erWou’d wish, but for his country’s welfare —Of course, for a successor’s sake,The sacrifice he needs must make.He found no fault, as it appears,But that she was advanc’d in years;To follies past he ne’er alluded,For no such sentiment intruded;’Twas not for this he wish’d to sever,Her virtue he suspected never;On this occasion, Nap, ’tis said,A fine speech to the Senate made,Assuring them it was with pain,He a divorce strove to obtain;For still he Josephine regarded,Tho’ as a consort now discarded;But, notwithstanding, she should reignAnd be considered as a queen.Josephine, with an air divine,Declar’d the throne she would resign,And hop’d her Boney might, ere long,Meet with a lady fair and young,And in nine months procure a boy,To be his comfort and his joy.’Twas on the 15th of December,19As the Parisians well remember,The parties in full court appear’dAnd by a large assembly cheer’d;A kind of form took place, of course,Which fully strengthened the divorce —The Senate sent a deputation,To ratify the separation,Which, that it might be ne’er repeal’d,Was, in their presence, sign’d and seal’d.Nap was a long time ere he sign’d —A proof of a perturbed mind;But some have thought, and so they might,’Twas inability to write.Soon as the pen the lady took,Her hand for several minutes shook,A proof of sorrow and regret,Tho’ she did not appear to fret.And ’twas the opinion of the sageThat it proceeded from old age.When thus divorc’d – a parting kissWas confirmation of their bliss.’

How Josephine herself felt on this subject is pathetically told by Madame Junot, with an excessively womanly grace: —