A Merry Go Round

Hand-colored etched caricature, published March 1802; 'Bonaparte stands in profile on the extreme left, playing a fife and tabor to which the Powers of Europe dance, holding hands to form a circle. He says: "Ah Ca-ira - Ca-ira." They are (left to right): Prussia in cocked hat and military dress, saying, "It is something like a Prussian Reel"; Turkey wearing a jewelled turban; Spain wearing the usual cloak, slashed tunic, and feathered hat, and saying, "By St Diego this consular Music is very delightful." John Bull, the only full-face figure, is the most bulky and jovial; he says: "Ah, Ah - here's your Old friend Johnny Bull, as merry as the best of them, he never likes to be out of a snug party." Austria is in back view, wearing military coat and boots but no hat; he says: "It beats a German Waltz hollow"; Russia, in fur cap and fur-trimmed tunic, says: "It is enough to warm the heart of a Russian"; a fat Dutch burgher, wearing round hat and bulky breeches, says 'This is the way to be happy Mynheer jig it away." -- British Museum. Hand-colored etched caricature, published March 1802; 'Bonaparte stands in profile on the extreme left, playing a fife and tabor to which the Powers of Europe dance, holding hands to form a circle. He says: "Ah Ca-ira - Ca-ira." They are (left to right): Prussia in cocked hat and military dress, saying, "It is something like a Prussian Reel"; Turkey wearing a jewelled turban; Spain wearing the usual cloak, slashed tunic, and feathered hat, and saying, "By St Diego this consular Music is very delightful." John Bull, the only full-face figure, is the most bulky and jovial; he says: "Ah, Ah - here's your Old friend Johnny Bull, as merry as the best of them, he never likes to be out of a snug party." Austria is in back view, wearing military coat and boots but no hat; he says: "It beats a German Waltz hollow"; Russia, in fur cap and fur-trimmed tunic, says: "It is enough to warm the heart of a Russian"; a fat Dutch burgher, wearing round hat and bulky breeches, says 'This is the way to be happy Mynheer jig it away." -- British Museum. Oblong medium folio; plate mark, margins. N.Y., Walter Schatzki, 1973.