CHAPTER XXIV.

LORD WHITWORTH AS PLENIPOTENTIARY--HIS EQUIPAGE--ENGLISH VISIT PARIS--UNSETTLED FEELING--NAPOLEON BEHAVES RUDELY TO LORD WHITWORTH.

In June, Lord Whitworth was appointed ambassador extraordinary, and minister plenipotentiary, to the French Republic, and the state he then kept up was a striking contrast to the plainness of Republican equipages. It was different under the Empire; but then the word Citizen had not been dropped, and there was a certain affectation of simplicity. The English attracted great attention by the splendour of their equipages, and there is a caricature (nameless, December 14, 1802) of ‘Lord Whitworth’s Coachman at Paris.’ His get-up is, certainly, ‘exceeding magnifical,’ and is the wonder of the Parisians. It is almost too much for his equanimity, for he is shown as saying, ‘How the Mounseers stare at me! D--n me, if I don’t think they take me for the Ambassador.’

The effects of the peace were hardly realisable for a time, and Woodward gives us an amusing caricature of the state of the empire (December 20, 1802). It is called ‘A Peep at the Lion,’ which is supposed to be on show. Outside the Exhibition Pitt is inviting Europe, generally, to ‘Walk in Ladies and Gentlemen, and see the famous Lion. Though I have some share in the concern, I have nothing to do with showing him, I assure you--I am not his keeper; the Lion I used to show was very fierce, but this is quite quiet and peaceable.’ Inside, the Lion is shewn as lying down, but with one eye open, Napoleon patting him on the head, saying, ‘Poor fellow, poor fellow, what a beautiful Animal,--how sound he sleeps.’ But the Chancellor, Lord Eldon, warns him, ‘You had better not be too free with him Sir, In case of an accident. He is now asleep with one eye, and awake with the other.’

At the opening of the year 1803, although the storm clouds of war were ominously gathering, yet all seemed peace. The English enjoyed the rare treat of visiting France, and, generally, being of the better class, were well received. The year opens in a kindly spirit with ‘The first kiss these ten Years! or the meeting of Britannia and Citizen François’ (Gillray, January 1, 1803), which is a remarkably good caricature. Britannia, owing to the peace, has grown prosperous, and stout; her trident and shield are put away in a corner, and the portraits of Napoleon and George the Third repose, in loving juxtaposition, on the wall, intertwined with palm-branches. Says Citizen François (his sword and cocked hat being laid aside), ‘Madame, permettez me to pay my profound esteem to your engaging person! and to seal on your divine Lips my everlasting attachment.’ Madame Britannia replies, ‘Monsieur, you are so truly a well bred Gentleman! and tho’ you make me blush, yet you kiss so delicately, that I cannot refuse you; tho’ I was sure you would deceive me again!!!’

A most amusing picture (Gillray, January 1, 1803) is that called ‘German Nonchalance, or the vexation of Little Boney. vide the Diplomatique’s late Journey through Paris.’ It represents the Austrian ambassador being driven furiously through Paris, his luggage being directed ‘à Londres.’

With the utmost _insouciance_, he is taking a pinch of snuff, calmly regarding Napoleon, who is standing on some steps, and is in a fearful rage. With arms and legs outstretched, and his hat fallen off, he yells out, ‘Ha, diable! va t’en, Impertinent! va t’en! is dere von Man oh Earth who not worship little Boney? Soldats! aux Armes! revenge! ah! Sacre Dieu, je suis tout tremblant.’ The soldiers, however, although preparing to draw their swords, do not appear to be particularly anxious to avenge their insulted leader.

This incident arose from the Austrian minister neglecting to pay his respects to the First Consul, whilst passing through Paris.

As an evidence of the uneasiness of public political feeling, take the following. In January 1803 was published a caricature by Raymond, called ‘Leap Frog.’ Napoleon has already jumped over the bowed backs of Holland and Spain. The poor Dutchman exclaims, ‘He has left the Swiss and Italians a Mile behind--and as for me he has knocked my hat off and broken my pipe--pretty encouragement this to play at Leap-frog.’ The don ruefully says that ‘By St. Jago--my back is almost broken.’ Napoleon is now jumping over Hanover, who plaintively asks, ‘Why did I submit to this?’ but the conqueror only says, ‘Keep down your head Master Hanoverian, my next leap shall be over John Bull.’ But that individual, who looks uncommonly belligerent, with clenched fists, exclaims, ‘I’ll be d--d if you do Master Corsican.’

The English Government, seeing how Napoleon was aggrandising himself, and seeing also that this country, alone, could save the liberty of Europe, did not hurry to conform with the treaty of Amiens, and surrender all the advantages gained by the late long struggle; and although, with reluctance, the Cape, and other Batavian settlements, were given up, excuses were always to be found for not evacuating Malta.

On January 25, Lord Whitworth and Talleyrand had an interview, and the latter, after bitterly complaining of the licence of the British press, which he said ought to be curbed, or suppressed, asked plainly what were the intentions of the British Government with regard to Malta? It is to this interview, probably, that the following caricature owed its existence. How Cobbett lashed Addington, for his nepotism, in his ‘Annual Register’!!

‘The Evacuation of Malta’ (Gillray, February 9, 1803) is vividly, almost too graphically, depicted. Ferocious little Bonaparte has hold of poor frightened Addington by his necktie, and, by flourishing his enormous sword, compels him to evacuate Malta, Egypt, Cape of Good Hope, St. Domingo, Guadaloup, and Martinique. In vain Addington pleads, ‘Pray do not insist upon Malta! I shall certainly be turned out! and I have a great many Cousins and Uncles and Aunts to provide for yet.’ But his merciless enemy will hear of no compromise, and yells out ‘All! All! you Jean F--t--e! and think yourself well off that I leave you Great Britain!!!’ A French officer mildly remonstrates, and suggests, ‘My General, you had better not get him turned out, for we shall not be able to humbug them any more.’

Ansell executed an engraving (February 10, 1803) of the ‘Rival Gardeners,’ which represents Napoleon, and George III., tending their respective gardens, which are divided by the Channel. Napoleon has a number of plants labelled ‘Military poppies,’ which flourish well; but he is greatly concerned about his principal flower, which has a very drooping head and flagging leaves. He cannot understand it. ‘Why, I don’t know what is the reason; my Poppies flourish charmingly; but this _Corona Imperialis_ is rather a delicate kind of a plant, and requires great judgment in rearing.’ His rival, however, points with pride to the sturdy British Oak, whose vigour is matchless, and is in full bloom, with a royal crown. He replies, ‘No, No, Brother Gardener, though only a ditch parts our grounds, yet this is the spot for true Gardening; here the _Corona Britanica_ and y^e _Heart of Oak_ will flourish to the end of the world.’

On March 8, the king sent a message to Parliament, respecting military preparations in the ports of France and Holland, and acquaints the House of Commons that ‘he has judged it expedient to adopt additional measures of precaution for the security of his dominions;’ and this gives us the key to the next caricature--

‘Physical Aid, or, Britannia recover’d from a Trance, also the Patriotic Courage of Merry Andrew, and a peep thro’ the Fog,’ was published by Gillray, March 14, 1803, and is a very amusing picture. Bonaparte, and his flotilla, are crossing the Channel, and Sheridan, with fool’s cap and bell, a tattered harlequin suit, a lathen sword, ‘Dramatic Loyalty,’ a shield with a Medusa’s head, the snaky hair of which is labelled ‘Envy, abuse, bouncing, puffing, detraction, stolen jests, malevolence, and stale wit,’ and a paper, in his sash, endorsed ‘Ways and means to get a living,’ calls out, ‘Let ’em come! dam’me!!! Where are the French Buggabos? single-handed I’d beat forty of ’em!!! dam’me I’d pay ’em like Renter’s shares, sconce off their half-crowns!!! mulct them out of their benefits, and come y^e Drury Lane Slang over ’em.’

Britannia, suddenly aroused from her trance, screams out, ‘Doctors and ministers of disgrace defend me,’ and attempts to rise. Addington is attempting to recover her, by holding a bottle of gunpowder to her nose, saying ‘Do not be alarm’d, my dear Lady! The Buggabos (the Honest Gentlemen, I mean) are avowedly directed to Colonial service, they can have nothing to do Here, my lady--nothing to do with US! do take a sniff or two to raise your Spirits, and try to stand, if it is only upon one leg.’ Lord Hawkesbury is presenting, in a feeble manner, to Britannia, her spear--with broken point, and her shield, which is sadly cracked, and bleats forth, ‘Yes, my lady, you must try to stand up, or we shall never be able to march to Paris.’ Fox, who is wilfully screening his face with his hat, exclaims, ‘Dear me--what can be the reason of the old lady being awaked in such a fright? I declare I can’t see anything of the Buggabos!’ On the ground lies the treaty of peace torn.

On March 13, Napoleon behaved in a very rude, and intemperate, manner to Lord Whitworth respecting the non-evacuation of Malta--which scene is thus versified:--

Our hero now, with great chagrin, Begg’d of Lord Whitworth to call in. Agreeably to his request, Th’ Ambassador became his guest, And in the Cab’net of the Thuilleries, Napoleon play’d off all his fooleries. ‘What is the cause,’ he cried, ‘of this? How comes it England acts amiss? I swear that every provocation, Daily augments my indignation; Why are these libels to annoy me, Pensioned assassins to destroy me? Why Malta’s non-evacuation, And Alexandria, by your nation? You’d fain keep Malta--I believe you, But part of France I’d rather give you. Why all these provocations? why o’ late, The Amiens treaty dare to violate?’ Nap ask’d so many questions now, That not an answer he’d allow. Lord Whitworth moved his lips, but then Our hero wagged his tongue again. It seems Lord Whitworth wish’d to say, France for infringements led the way; But when that she was pleased to stop, And all her base aggressions drop, The treaty England would fulfil, For that, indeed, was England’s will. In spite of Nap’s vociferation, His Lordship made this observation: ‘My sovereign’s actions ne’er have been Insidious, treacherous, or mean, Because it is the king’s desire More to _preserve_ than to _acquire_.’