Bonaparte reviewing his conscripts

Napoleon (center), riding a mule, reviews his conscripts which consist of drunken friars, zanies, scrawny soldiers, and Dutchmen on toads. Attempting to appear dignified under an absurdly large crescent-shaped hat, Napoleon draws his sword in recognition of a salute. The mule, a mangy ill-trained creature, brays and raises up on its hind quarters, urinating on the Dutch "Light Calvary" (r.). The Dutchmen, squat figures straddling toads, are lined up in a shallow body of water; they carry casks under their arms and have raised their swords in salute to Napoleon. At the left of the sheet, other members of the rag-tag group of conscripts cluster behind Napoleon. Two carnival performers play drums and pipes, a monk drinks from a bottle of alcohol, and several other grotesque soldiers carry flags and banners. One soldier, carrying a standard topped with an imperial eagle, casually squats to defecate in a clump of high grasses (center l.). This pitiful group contrasts with the orderly rows of soldiers assembled to protect the city visible on the distant horizon. Napoleon (center), riding a mule, reviews his conscripts which consist of drunken friars, zanies, scrawny soldiers, and Dutchmen on toads. Attempting to appear dignified under an absurdly large crescent-shaped hat, Napoleon draws his sword in recognition of a salute. The mule, a mangy ill-trained creature, brays and raises up on its hind quarters, urinating on the Dutch "Light Calvary" (r.). The Dutchmen, squat figures straddling toads, are lined up in a shallow body of water; they carry casks under their arms and have raised their swords in salute to Napoleon. At the left of the sheet, other members of the rag-tag group of conscripts cluster behind Napoleon. Two carnival performers play drums and pipes, a monk drinks from a bottle of alcohol, and several other grotesque soldiers carry flags and banners. One soldier, carrying a standard topped with an imperial eagle, casually squats to defecate in a clump of high grasses (center l.). This pitiful group contrasts with the orderly rows of soldiers assembled to protect the city visible on the distant horizon. Published by Thomas Tegg, 1813-02-13. According to George, this sheet is 'a satire on the repeated levies of 1813 necessitated by the losses in Russia. Napoleon sent orders from Russia in November for a new conscription for 1813, the Levy (137,000 men) took place in January.' The orders for new conscripts indicate the toll the long wars took on the depleted French population. Caption: London, Pubd. by Thos. Tegg No III Cheapside, Feby 23 1813