Fast colours--Patience on a monument smiling at grief - or- The royal laundress washing Boney's court dresses

Dressed as a washerwoman, Louis XVIII attempts to scrub the colors out of the tricolore banner. Wearing a simple bonnet and a red dress, the newly restored King of France resolutely works at his task adding "Holy Water" and "Salts of Lemon for Taking out stains" to the wash. A portrait medallion of the Prince regent and a cross is attached to the waist of his dress, indicating the debt Louis XVIII owes to England. Minute figures carrying flags of the allies; Britain, Austria and Russia, all emerge from the suds in the washbucket. On the right of the sheet, Napoleon, perched comfortably on a peak on St. Helena, laughs as he watches the scene. Although in exile, Napoleon's rule in France has clearly had lasting effects. Dressed as a washerwoman, Louis XVIII attempts to scrub the colors out of the tricolore banner. Wearing a simple bonnet and a red dress, the newly restored King of France resolutely works at his task adding "Holy Water" and "Salts of Lemon for Taking out stains" to the wash. A portrait medallion of the Prince regent and a cross is attached to the waist of his dress, indicating the debt Louis XVIII owes to England. Minute figures carrying flags of the allies; Britain, Austria and Russia, all emerge from the suds in the washbucket. On the right of the sheet, Napoleon, perched comfortably on a peak on St. Helena, laughs as he watches the scene. Although in exile, Napoleon's rule in France has clearly had lasting effects. G. H. invt. Published by William Hone, 1815-10-26. British Museum, BM 12617. Caption: "Old Women Washing a Blackemoore White." Dialogue: George III: "Bless me how fast these Colours are I'm afraid I shall not get them white alth'o I have got such a Strong lather." Dialogue: Napoleon: "Ha, ha! Such an old woman as you may rub a long while before they'll be all white for they are Tricolored in grain." Printed Signature: George Cruikshank fect. G. H. invt. Label(s): "Holy Water" and "Salts of Lemon for taking out stains"