A political fair

Using a motif well established in caricature, (see for example, William Hogarth's "Southwark Fair"), Cruikshank represents the issues and difficulties of European politics in terms of the bustle and confusion of busy fairground entertainment. In this complex image, various European countries occupy booths on high platforms and vie for the attention of the fair-going crowds. Spectators gather around the wooden decks and listen to the harangues of the hucksters who try to drum up business for their causes. Below the platforms, grotesque customers crowd around food vendors and wolf down the offerings. Among these stands are advertisements for "Boney's Imperial Gingerbread," "Roast Beef Gratis at this Booth," "German Sour Crout with French Sauce," "German Sausage," and "Hot Prussian Cakes." Using a motif well established in caricature, (see for example, William Hogarth's "Southwark Fair"), Cruikshank represents the issues and difficulties of European politics in terms of the bustle and confusion of busy fairground entertainment. In this complex image, various European countries occupy booths on high platforms and vie for the attention of the fair-going crowds. Spectators gather around the wooden decks and listen to the harangues of the hucksters who try to drum up business for their causes. Below the platforms, grotesque customers crowd around food vendors and wolf down the offerings. Among these stands are advertisements for "Boney's Imperial Gingerbread," "Roast Beef Gratis at this Booth," "German Sour Crout with French Sauce," "German Sausage," and "Hot Prussian Cakes." Published by Thomas Tegg, 1807-10-01. British Museum, BM 10763. Caption: Lodon Pubd Octor 1st 1807 b Thos Tegg 111 Cheapside Dialogue: Customer: "I don't like this King Master Boney." Dialogue: Napoleon: "I never change Mynheer after the goods are taken out of the shop." Printed Signature: George Woodward, del. Labels: "Russian Booth. This day will be presented the comedy of 'The Double Dealer' to which will be added a new Burletta called 'The Bear in Leading Strings' the music principally French." "Danish Booth. The English Fleet and the Devil to Pay." "Sweedish Booth. Blind Bargain and Hob in the Well." "Westphalia Booth. Wife and no Wife with Jerry Sneak in his Glory." "The Best Booth in the Fair. John Bull and Company. 'The Englishmans Fire Side,' and the' Wooden Walls of Old England.' Principal Characters by, John Bull, Baddy Bull, Ben Black, &c." "Austrian Booth" "Spanish Booth. 'All's Well that ends Well,' with the Padloc..." "American Booth. 'Much Ado About Nothing' with The Deserter." "Prussian Booth. 'Tis well tis no Worse,' with The Poor Soldier." "Boney's Imperial Gingerbread. Gingerbread Kings and Queens Wholesale and Retail. Now is your time to purchase."