Consular games: the game of brag, the game of hazard

Two scenes of battle are contrasted. On the left, titled "The Game of Brag," Napoleon exhorts his troops to join him in the game of conquest. He stands in a dramatic profile pose; although his body is turned towards the viewer, the caricaturist has chosen to delineate his hallmark profile. In his right hand Napoleon carries a large sword and with his left gestures towards the edge of the image--beyond which is Great Britain. In typical fashion, Napoleon's enormous black hat is ostentatiously decorated, as is his uniform. Soldiers holding bayonets stand in orderly rows and wear pristine uniforms. The image on the right side of the sheet depicts "The Game of Hazard." Here, Napoleon and his troops have landed themselves in the choppy waters of the English Channel. In the distance, a warship explodes in a spectacular show of fire. Other ships, presumably French, are covered in billowing clouds of smoke. A British fort, proudly flying the flag, defends the coast with cannon fire that devastates the French Navy. Napoleon is in the foreground of this image. Half submerged in the water, he waves his arms and laments the loss of his "Invincibles," who drown and sink with him. Two scenes of battle are contrasted. On the left, titled "The Game of Brag," Napoleon exhorts his troops to join him in the game of conquest. He stands in a dramatic profile pose; although his body is turned towards the viewer, the caricaturist has chosen to delineate his hallmark profile. In his right hand Napoleon carries a large sword and with his left gestures towards the edge of the image--beyond which is Great Britain. In typical fashion, Napoleon's enormous black hat is ostentatiously decorated, as is his uniform. Soldiers holding bayonets stand in orderly rows and wear pristine uniforms. The image on the right side of the sheet depicts "The Game of Hazard." Here, Napoleon and his troops have landed themselves in the choppy waters of the English Channel. In the distance, a warship explodes in a spectacular show of fire. Other ships, presumably French, are covered in billowing clouds of smoke. A British fort, proudly flying the flag, defends the coast with cannon fire that devastates the French Navy. Napoleon is in the foreground of this image. Half submerged in the water, he waves his arms and laments the loss of his "Invincibles," who drown and sink with him. P. Roberts, Publisher, 18 Middlerow, Holborn, London. Autumn, 1803. Certainly, this image was printed in response to the British fears of French invasion that peaked in the summer of 1803. Caption: Londn. Pub. by P. Roberts 18 Middle row Holborn Dialogue: Napoleon: "Brave and Invincible Legions--who were never beaten but once and that in a case of necessity--observe that little Island--its riches are unbounded--therefore step with me over the water and every man shall have his share." Dialogue: Napoleon: "Oh my poor Invincibles-where are they? - Oh that I had staid home snug in the chimney corner."