Destruction of the French gun-boats--or-- Little Boney and his friend Talley in high glee

At the center of the sheet, Talleyrand boosts Napoleon up onto his shoulder in order to to give him a better view of the naval battle taking place below. Using a sheet of paper inscribed "Talleyrand's plan for Invading Great Britain," Napoleon makes a makeshift telescope. From their vantage point at the top of a fort, Napoleon and Talleyrand gleefully watch the destruction of the French navy by British forces. Strikingly, the cannons at the French fort are silent and a flag flying the "skull and crossbones" further indicates Napoleon's diabolic intent. Sheet outlined with red ink. At the center of the sheet, Talleyrand boosts Napoleon up onto his shoulder in order to to give him a better view of the naval battle taking place below. Using a sheet of paper inscribed "Talleyrand's plan for Invading Great Britain," Napoleon makes a makeshift telescope. From their vantage point at the top of a fort, Napoleon and Talleyrand gleefully watch the destruction of the French navy by British forces. Strikingly, the cannons at the French fort are silent and a flag flying the "skull and crossbones" further indicates Napoleon's diabolic intent. Sheet outlined with red ink. Published by Humphrey, 1803-11-22. British Museum, BM 10125. Of the content of this sheet, Margaret George wrote: 'There were those who said that the object of the expedition of 1802 to St. Domingo (with its fatal climate) was to get rid of doubtful elements in the army... This suspicion, combined with the apparent impracticability of an invasion of England by gun boats, may underlie the extravagance of the print.' As seen in other British print satires, Napoleon's lack of humanity is evidenced by his belief that his own troops are expendable. The 'Egyptian Poisoning hollow' that Napoleon refers to in this sheet was treated in British satires like,***, now in the collection of the John Hay Library. Although Napoleon's evil nature is highlighted, Gillray also manages to to express a significant amount of anxiety over the British Navy's decision to engage in such battles. Thus, the satire begs the question of the futility of such an exercise, which risks the lives of British sailors in order to assist Napoleon in ridding himself of 'dead weight.' Yet, the British nobly and successfully persevere, causing considerable damage to the French Navy in terms of men and gunboats both. Dialogue: Napoleon: "O my dear Talley, what a gloroius 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!" Plate Mark: No. XVII