Consequences of a successfull French invasion - No. VI, plate 1st

An uncolored impression. One image in a series of four prints that imagines the aftermath of a French invasion of Britain. This image depicts the effects the invasion would have on religion and on the courts. Here a French Judge (who has replaced his British counterparts) allows French looters to murder a priest and destroy a Catholic church. In the center of the image, a Priest is dragged from his church by three French soldiers whose uniforms are decorated with symbols of the French Revolution. The Priest wears a large cross around his neck and a flowing habit edged with lace (suggestive of a night shirt). One French figure stands behind the Priest and prepares to plunge a dagger into his back. Another attacks him from the front, tugging at the cross while raising a boot to kick him in the stomach. The third Frenchman stomps on a pile of church artifacts--crucifix, chalice, crozier, rosary and host--all objects sacred to the faith. The church has been looted and destroyed. Two sculptures that flank the church door have been broken in their niches. On the left all that remains of a crucifix is the bottom of the cross and an inscription "Ecce Homo." On the right, the sculptures of the Madonna and Child in the niche inscribed "Santa Maria" have been beheaded (a reference to the beheading of the Bourbon royalty). he cross over the church door has also been vandalized and is now topped by a bonnet rouge. A member of "the high Court of Justice" (left) steals past the scene. He looks sideways at the marauding soldiers and the helpless priest with an approving grimace. An uncolored impression. One image in a series of four prints that imagines the aftermath of a French invasion of Britain. This image depicts the effects the invasion would have on religion and on the courts. Here a French Judge (who has replaced his British counterparts) allows French looters to murder a priest and destroy a Catholic church. In the center of the image, a Priest is dragged from his church by three French soldiers whose uniforms are decorated with symbols of the French Revolution. The Priest wears a large cross around his neck and a flowing habit edged with lace (suggestive of a night shirt). One French figure stands behind the Priest and prepares to plunge a dagger into his back. Another attacks him from the front, tugging at the cross while raising a boot to kick him in the stomach. The third Frenchman stomps on a pile of church artifacts--crucifix, chalice, crozier, rosary and host--all objects sacred to the faith. The church has been looted and destroyed. Two sculptures that flank the church door have been broken in their niches. On the left all that remains of a crucifix is the bottom of the cross and an inscription "Ecce Homo." On the right, the sculptures of the Madonna and Child in the niche inscribed "Santa Maria" have been beheaded (a reference to the beheading of the Bourbon royalty). he cross over the church door has also been vandalized and is now topped by a bonnet rouge. A member of "the high Court of Justice" (left) steals past the scene. He looks sideways at the marauding soldiers and the helpless priest with an approving grimace. Title: Consequences of a Successfull French Invasion Title: No. VI, Plate 1st. - We Fly on the Wings of the Wind to Save the Irish Catholics from Persecution. Scene. The front of a Popish Chapel. Inscription: London Pubd. March 6th 1798, by Js. Gillray, 2 7 St. James's Street. Price, 6d. - Colourd 1s/8d Printed Signature: Sir John Dalrymple invt. Printed Signature: Js. Gillray fecit. Text: Description. A Priest driven out of his Chapel, A French Sol-/dier trampling on Crucifies & Mitres, another kicking the/Priest, A Gracefull Old Man; & a third stabbing him with a/ Dagger behind: A "Membre de la haute Coeur de Justice," (in English/a Member of the high Court of Justice, in his habit of Office, who / has learnt to speak the English language well, by going/much to the Play-House, (having long been a Player/ himself,) says in the words of Othello - "Good,/ "very Good, the Justice of it pleases, even on the/ '"Stage of his own Imposition,' - and its is/ "thus, that the gratitude of the French Republic/"always pays Three Favors for One."