Physical aid,--or--Britannia recover'd from a trance; --also, the patriotic courage of Sherry Andrew & a peep thro' the fog

From their hilltop vantage point, Whig politicians and Britannia, (l.), watch as French troops, (r.), swarm into boats and set off in their direction. A dense fog surrounds Hawkesbury, Addington, Britannia, Fox, and Sheridan, who attempt to deceive themselves into believing that the vision revealed by a break in the fog poses no threat to England. Hawkesbury stands on the far left of the figure group. His face droops in dismay as he holds Britannia's cracked shield and broken spear. Next, Addington is drawn in profile and angrily scowls in the direction of Napoleon and his troops. He supports Britannia with his body and his left hand while attempting to revive Britannia with a vial of "Gun-Powder" he holds in his right hand. Britannia, a formidable female in classical dress, has fallen into a swoon at the sight of Napoleon in the distance. She is completely disheveled in appearance: her hair is uncoiffed and wild, and the bodice of her dress has slipped and now reveals her left breast. The pose she assumes, along with her now cracked shield, suggests that she has experienced a physical, possibly sexual, assault. Arms and legs flung wide, Britannia has collapsed to the ground and now begs the politicians of "dis grace" to come to her aid. Sheridan, comically dressed as a harlequin, or a zanie, makes a great scene of coming to the rescue. The costume, however, is ill fitting and strains to cover his exaggerated paunch, and, in some areas is ragged and torn. Sheridan stands with his feet firmly planted and arms extended in a pose that mirrors that of Britannia. His right foot is planted between her legs and his left is outstretched towards the Channel. The devices he has to protect Britannia are meager indeed; a wooden club/sword inscribed "Dramatic-Loyalty," and a golden shield bearing a Gorgon's head upon which is inscribed, "Abuse, Bouncing, Puffing, Detraction, Stolen Jests, Malevolence, Stale Wit, Envy." Fox is clearly the most ineffective member of the group. Partly swallowed by the fog, Fox attempts to view the approaching troops by looking through his hat. In so doing, he complains that there is nothing whatsoever to be worried about, and wonders why Britannia has awakened with such a fright. On the right side of the image, the scene of Napoleon and his troops is quite comical. George notes that the figure of Napoleon, prominently represented as a large head supported by spindly arms and legs and without a torso, is here the satirical figure of "No-Body." From their hilltop vantage point, Whig politicians and Britannia, (l.), watch as French troops, (r.), swarm into boats and set off in their direction. A dense fog surrounds Hawkesbury, Addington, Britannia, Fox, and Sheridan, who attempt to deceive themselves into believing that the vision revealed by a break in the fog poses no threat to England. Hawkesbury stands on the far left of the figure group. His face droops in dismay as he holds Britannia's cracked shield and broken spear. Next, Addington is drawn in profile and angrily scowls in the direction of Napoleon and his troops. He supports Britannia with his body and his left hand while attempting to revive Britannia with a vial of "Gun-Powder" he holds in his right hand. Britannia, a formidable female in classical dress, has fallen into a swoon at the sight of Napoleon in the distance. She is completely disheveled in appearance: her hair is uncoiffed and wild, and the bodice of her dress has slipped and now reveals her left breast. The pose she assumes, along with her now cracked shield, suggests that she has experienced a physical, possibly sexual, assault. Arms and legs flung wide, Britannia has collapsed to the ground and now begs the politicians of "dis grace" to come to her aid. Sheridan, comically dressed as a harlequin, or a zanie, makes a great scene of coming to the rescue. The costume, however, is ill fitting and strains to cover his exaggerated paunch, and, in some areas is ragged and torn. Sheridan stands with his feet firmly planted and arms extended in a pose that mirrors that of Britannia. His right foot is planted between her legs and his left is outstretched towards the Channel. The devices he has to protect Britannia are meager indeed; a wooden club/sword inscribed "Dramatic-Loyalty," and a golden shield bearing a Gorgon's head upon which is inscribed, "Abuse, Bouncing, Puffing, Detraction, Stolen Jests, Malevolence, Stale Wit, Envy." Fox is clearly the most ineffective member of the group. Partly swallowed by the fog, Fox attempts to view the approaching troops by looking through his hat. In so doing, he complains that there is nothing whatsoever to be worried about, and wonders why Britannia has awakened with such a fright. On the right side of the image, the scene of Napoleon and his troops is quite comical. George notes that the figure of Napoleon, prominently represented as a large head supported by spindly arms and legs and without a torso, is here the satirical figure of "No-Body." Published by Hannah Humphrey. For a later, reduced copy of this image, see British Museum, BM 9972a. 1803-03-14 Caption: Publd March 14th 1803 by H. Humphrey, 27 St James's Street Dialogue: Hawkesbury: "Yes my Lady, you must try to stand up, or we shall never be able to 'March to Paris."" Dialogue: Addington: "Do not be alarm'd my dear Lady! the Buggabo's (the honest Gentlemen, I mean) are avowedly directed to Colonial Service; they can have nothing to do Here my Lady!--nothing to do with Us!--do take a sniff or two, to raise your Spirits, and try to stand, if it is only upon One Leg!" Dialogue: Brittania: "Doctors & Ministers of dis grace defend me!" Dialogue: Fox: "Dear me--what can be the reason of the Old Lady being awak'd in such a Fright?--I declare I can't see a thing of the Buggabo's!" Dialogue: Sheridan: "Let 'em come!-dam'me!!!--Where are the French Buggabo's? Single handed I'd beat forty of 'em!!! dam'me I'd pay 'em like Renter Shares,--sconce off their half Crowns!!! Mulct them out of their Benefits & come ye Drury Lane Slang over 'em!"