A French hail storm, or Neptune loosing [sic] sight of the Brest fleet / Js. Gy. desn. et fect.

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James Gillray
1756-1815
A French hail storm, or Neptune loosing [sic] sight of the Brest fleet / Js. Gy. desn. et fect.
engraving
image: 31 x 35.5 cm; plate: 31.3 x 36.8 cm; sheet: 31.8 x 37.5 cm
Peel 2831
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Trimmed.

Summary: 

Admiral Howe stands in a boat formed of a gold shell and drawn by two dolphins towards the coast, where there is a stone with a hand pointing to Torbay. He covers his eyes with a hand to protect them from a shower of guineas which fill his boat and which he holds up the skirt of his coat to collect. The dolphins spout guineas. His large Union flag is attached to an upright trident; a blast of coins strikes the flag, tearing a large hole. The coins are blown from the mouths of winged cherubic heads wearing bonnets-rouges (right). They drive Howe's boat away from 'Brest', a fortress on the horizon towards which a French fleet is sailing unmolested.

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