Boney hatching a bulletin, or, Snug winter quarters!!! / G.C.

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George Cruikshank
1792-1878
Boney hatching a bulletin, or, Snug winter quarters!!! / G.C.
Peel 1955
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Lettered with title, publication line and artist's name "Published Decr 1812 by Walker & Knight Sweetings Alley Royal Exchange. G. C."

Summary: 

Napoleon's head in profile to the left, wearing an enormous plumed bicorne, emerges from the snow, facing a grotesque French officer, only waist-deep, who asks: "Vat de devil shall Ve say in de Bulletin?" Other French soldiers are represented only by bayonets and by their bonnets rouges, with an occasional cavalry helmet and one cocked hat. Here and there heads appear through the snow, and a pair of boots sticks up, the wearers' toes projecting. A courier (left), who has tied boards under his boots, is completely above ground; he is grotesque, emaciated, and tattered, with bonnet rouge and huge pigtail; he looks through a lorgnette at the Emperor, gaping with horror, and says: "By gar he is almost lost!!" Napoleon has a tragic expression and though caricatured is not burlesqued like the others, apart from the size of his hat. He answers: "Say!!!! why say we have got into Comfortable Winter Quarters, and the Weather is very fine & will last 8 days longer. Say we have got plenty of Soup Meagre plenty of Minced meat--grilld Bears fine Eating--driveing Cut-us-off to the Devil Say we shall be at home at Xmas to dinner--give my love to darling [Marie Louise]--don't let John Bull know that I have been Cowpoxed--tell a good lie about the Cossacks--D--e tell any thing but the Truth." An eagle sticks out of the snow behind Napoleon, with a banner: 'Vive La'Emp ... Napo[leon].'

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