A dilemma or the German-Macheath

Hand-colored etched caricature, published Decr. 27th, 1798; 'Francis II sits full-face between a French officer (left) and Pitt, who stand proffering bounties. He looks at neither, but takes a pinch from the snuff-box 'Presented by the Directory', while his left hand is extended greedily towards the money-bags which Pitt offers. The Frenchman, a grotesque officer wearing a large cocked hat, enormous sabre, jack-boots with tattered breeches, says: "Listen to our proposals Mounseer, Peace shall be at your Command and our Troops shall be With-drawn." Pitt holds a bag (inscribed '100-000') in each hand, and another (labelled more if required) under each arm. He says: "Pray do not be blind to your own Interest - Consider the Delivery of Europe - let us once more rank you with the number of the Glorious Allies". Francis, who wears military dress, repeats four lines of the song from "The Beggar's Opera: How Happy could I be with either, Where the other dear Charmer away, But while you thus teaze me together To neither a word will I say But Tol-lol-lol-lol-loldera &c." -- British Museum Hand-colored etched caricature, published Decr. 27th, 1798; 'Francis II sits full-face between a French officer (left) and Pitt, who stand proffering bounties. He looks at neither, but takes a pinch from the snuff-box 'Presented by the Directory', while his left hand is extended greedily towards the money-bags which Pitt offers. The Frenchman, a grotesque officer wearing a large cocked hat, enormous sabre, jack-boots with tattered breeches, says: "Listen to our proposals Mounseer, Peace shall be at your Command and our Troops shall be With-drawn." Pitt holds a bag (inscribed '100-000') in each hand, and another (labelled more if required) under each arm. He says: "Pray do not be blind to your own Interest - Consider the Delivery of Europe - let us once more rank you with the number of the Glorious Allies". Francis, who wears military dress, repeats four lines of the song from "The Beggar's Opera: How Happy could I be with either, Where the other dear Charmer away, But while you thus teaze me together To neither a word will I say But Tol-lol-lol-lol-loldera &c." -- British Museum Small oblong folio; margins severely trimmed; clean.