John Bull treating Buonaparte, on his arrival in London, to a jaunt in an up-and-down, at Bartholomew Fair

This broadside was printed from two separate plates, by two printers. The top plate is an image, the bottom, verses of a song printed in type. The sheet was produced at the height of the invasion scare, and is consistent with a number of similar images that imagine Napoleon's arrival in England (and subsequent capture) with bravado. As history testifies, French troops never did invade England or the British Isles. Yet, for a period in 1803, such an event seemed likely to many. IA crowd is shown enjoying London's famed Bartholomew Fair. A large amusement, comparable to the modern Ferris wheel, is in the center of the image. This ride is operated by hand crank by a figure standing at the hub of the wheel. There are six open gondolas attached to the wheel, each holding several figures. The carriage at the top of the wheel is occupied by Napoleon, who is shackled to the gondola. A flag flies over his head and reads: "The Monster from Jaffa." Napoleon has been reduced to the status of a curiosity, or a sideshow freak--not unlike the elephant that was also exhibited at the fair (see the flag at the right of the image). A carnival hawker, dressed in the typical blue coat and striped vest of John Bull, calls the viewer's attention to the spectacle and invites participation. The second sheet is a set of lyrics. In the first verse, Napoleon's rise and fall to power is likened to the carnival ride. The second verse sights the horrors Napoleon has committed thus far. Specifically, it denigrates him for the murder of his own French troops who were struck with plague in Jaffa. Finally, in the third verse, Napoleon's capture and his subsequent execution by hanging is imagined. This broadside was printed from two separate plates, by two printers. The top plate is an image, the bottom, verses of a song printed in type. The sheet was produced at the height of the invasion scare, and is consistent with a number of similar images that imagine Napoleon's arrival in England (and subsequent capture) with bravado. As history testifies, French troops never did invade England or the British Isles. Yet, for a period in 1803, such an event seemed likely to many. IA crowd is shown enjoying London's famed Bartholomew Fair. A large amusement, comparable to the modern Ferris wheel, is in the center of the image. This ride is operated by hand crank by a figure standing at the hub of the wheel. There are six open gondolas attached to the wheel, each holding several figures. The carriage at the top of the wheel is occupied by Napoleon, who is shackled to the gondola. A flag flies over his head and reads: "The Monster from Jaffa." Napoleon has been reduced to the status of a curiosity, or a sideshow freak--not unlike the elephant that was also exhibited at the fair (see the flag at the right of the image). A carnival hawker, dressed in the typical blue coat and striped vest of John Bull, calls the viewer's attention to the spectacle and invites participation. The second sheet is a set of lyrics. In the first verse, Napoleon's rise and fall to power is likened to the carnival ride. The second verse sights the horrors Napoleon has committed thus far. Specifically, it denigrates him for the murder of his own French troops who were struck with plague in Jaffa. Finally, in the third verse, Napoleon's capture and his subsequent execution by hanging is imagined. Published on a single sheet from two plates. The image is at the top of the sheet. The second plate is typeface text printed at the bottom of the sheet. This caricature is not listed in Broadley or George under its current title. This impression is of three verses of a song to be sung to the tune of "Hey, My Kitten, &c." George notes that the "Amateur" who drew the original design was Lt.-Col. Bradyll. Inscription: Pubd by F. (?) Bate. No.11 Vigo Lane near Jackville Street, London. Inscription: Etcd by Roberts. Inscription: November 3, 1803. Inscription: Wheeler, Printer, Wardour St. Song: Song. -- To the Tune of "Hey, My Kitten, &c." 1. Hey, my Bouna! my Buona! Hey, my tight Buonapart-i! Such a d---mn'd Imp as it is The de--l doth love in his heart-i. There he goes, up, up, up, And now he goes down-e, down-e; There he goes backwards and forwards, And here he goes round-y, round-y. 2. Where was his fury and rage Exerted, so much like a monster? It would blacken history's page To name Jaffa, with others among, Sir; For there he practiced that power Assign'd him by Pluto, his master, And hurled to death, in an hour, His troops, who had met with disaster. 3. And now, my Buona, my Buona! Now, my fierce Bounapart-i! You'll have not the air of a lord, When you come to be drawn in a cart-i; For then you must up, up, up, And there stay till you're cut down-e, Nor will you go backwards and forwards, Or can you go round-y, round-y Or can you go round-y, round-y.