Physical aid
Physical aid - or - Britannia recoverd from a trance - also, the patriotic courage of Sherry Andrew & a peep thro ye fog. Britannia, terrified, faint, and dishevelled sits on the ground supported by Addington and Hawkesbury, and defended by Sheridan, a Silenus-like and ragged Harlequin. They are on the coast towards which are advancing many rowing-boats filled with little French soldiers. Napoleon stands with drawn sword in the foremost boat, a tiny figure with a large head and no body, to show that he is Nobody. The distant French coast (right) is covered with troops marching towards the shore. Clouds of smoke rise from the beach, which is concealed by the foreground. Britannia, wearing Roman dress with cothurnes, raises her arms, and shrieks. Her word 'dis' is scored through but conspicuously legible. Addington holds a bottle of Gunpowder to her nose, and looks in alarm at the approaching army. Hawkesbury looks down with deep melancholy, supporting her (cracked) shield, and holding her (damaged) spear. Sheridan holds Harlequin's wooden sword in his right hand. On his left arm is a shield with Medusa's head, the snaky locks inscribed. He wears a hat turned up in front with a tricolour cockade; its crown is a fool's cap with two ears and a bell. Round his paunch is a tricolour sash through which is thrust a paper. He shouts in defiance at the distant army. Behind, between Addington and Sheridan, is the head of Fox, holding his hat before his eyes. In the foreground lies a long torn scroll. March 1803
Size: 3200px × 2269px
Photo credit: © The Protected Art Archive / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: britania, cartoon, comic, france, humor, napoleonic, political, satire
