Frontispiece to a set of eight satirical portraits by James Sayers in which members of the Opposition are travestied as French republicans. With the set is an etching of a bonnet-rouge, printed in red on a strip of paper cut along the lower edge of the cap so that it can be fitted to the forehead, transforming the subject into the Frenchman of the title.
Item no. 133 of a collection of prints by James Sayers (PML 146857); formerly part of an album of mounted prints, now disbound.
Print shows a satyr sitting on a pile of large volumes, directed to the left, his head turned with a smile towards the spectator. In his right hand he holds out a large bonnet-rouge with a French cockade, saying, "If the Cap fit put it on". In his left is a large scroll inscribed: "Illustrious Heads \ designed for a new History \ of \ Republicanism \ in French & English \ dedicated to \ The Opposition \ "... mutato nomine de te" \ Fabula Narratur" NB The work will not be compleat \ till all the heads are taken off." On his breast is an irradiated head, probably of Truth. The six books forming his seat are: Conventional Decrees; Addresses from Societies for Reform in England; Speeches of the Minority; Presbyterian Sermons; Pamphlets; Pamphlets. Cf. George.