CHAPTER XXIX.

PATRIOTIC HANDBILLS, ETC.

We meet with a slight notice of Toussaint l’Ouverture, and the war in St. Domingo, in a broadside dwelling on the consequences of a successful invasion: ‘Here then there would be no _volunteering_, no _balloting_, unless, indeed, such Volunteers as were raised in France for the conquest of St. Domingo. And how were they raised? Why, by every man having a bayonet put to his breast, being seized by force, and then _chained in couples like dogs_, and drove down in a string to the coast, for embarkation, like so many _Galley slaves_. This, though it may sound incredible to an Englishman’s ear, is a fact known to all Europe.

‘Such my brave Countrymen, would be your dreadful fate, could this blessed island be once subjugated to that haughty and merciless Tyrant, the Corsican Bonaparte. Where then, is the Man who would not die a thousand, and a thousand deaths sooner than submit to so cruel and unnatural a fate?’

July was very prolific of these broadsheets, some of them taking the form of theatrical announcements, two of which are here given.

THEATRE ROYAL, ENGLAND.

IN REHEARSAL, AND MEANT TO BE SPEEDILY _ATTEMPTED_,

A FARCE

IN ONE ACT, CALLED THE

_INVASION OF ENGLAND_.

Principal Buffo MR. BUONAPARTE,

Being his FIRST (and most likely his Last) Appearance on this Stage.

_Anticipated Critique._

The structure of this Farce is very _loose_, and there is a moral, and radical, Defect in the Ground work. It boasts, however, considerable Novelty, for the Characters are ALL MAD. It is probable it will _not_ be played in the COUNTRY, but will certainly never be _acted_ in TOWN; where ever it may be represented, we will do it the justice to say, it will be received with _Thunders_ of ... CANNON!!! but we will venture to affirm will never equall the Success of

_JOHN BULL_.

It is however likely that the Piece may yet be put off on account of the Indisposition of the Principal Performer, Mr. BUONAPARTE. We don’t exactly know what this Gentleman’s Merits may be on the Tragic Boards of France, but he will never succeed here; his Figure is very diminutive, he struts a great deal, seems to have no Conception of his _Character_, and treads the Stage very badly; notwithstanding which defects, we think, if he comes here, he will get an ENGAGEMENT, though it is probable that he will, shortly after, be reduced to the situation of a SCENE SHIFTER.

As for the Farce, we recommend it to be withdrawn, as it is the opinion of all Political Critics, that if played, it will certainly be

DAMN’D.

‘_Vivant Rex et Regina._’

The other is:--

IN REHEARSAL,

THEATRE ROYAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOMS.

Some Dark, Foggy Night, about November next, will be ATTEMPTED, by a Strolling Company of French Vagrants, an Old Pantomomic Farce, called

_HARLEQUIN’S INVASION_

OR THE

DISAPPOINTED BANDITTI.

WITH NEW MACHINERY, MUSIC, DRESSES, AND DECORATIONS.

HARLEQUIN BUTCHER, BY MR. BUONAPARTE

FROM CORSICA.

(Who Murdered that Character in _Egypt_, _Italy_, _Switzerland_, _Holland_, &c.)

THE OTHER PARTS BY

MESSRS. SIEYES, LE BRUN, TALLEYRAND, MARET, ANGEREAU, MASSENA, AND THE REST OF THE GANG.

In the Course of the Piece will be introduced a Distant View of

_Harlequin’s Flat-Bottomed Boats_

WARMLY ENGAGED BY THE

WOODEN WALLS OF OLD ENGLAND.

_THE REPULSE._

OR, BRITONS TRIUMPHANT.

The Parts of John Bull, Paddy Whack, Sawney Mac Snaish, and Shone-ap-Morgan, by Messrs. NELSON, MOIRA, ST. VINCENT, GARDNER, HUTCHINSON, WARREN, PELLEW, S. SMITH, &c. &c. &c.

The Chorus of ‘_Hearts of Oak_,’ by the JOLLY TARS and ARMY of OLD ENGLAND,

Assisted by a Numerous Company of Provincial Performers, Who have VOLUNTEERED their Services on this Occasion.

The Overture to consist of ‘Britons Strike Home’--‘Stand to your Guns’--‘Rule Britannia’ and

GOD SAVE THE KING.

The Dresses will be splendid; the Band numerous and compleat. The whole to conclude with a GRAND ILLUMINATION, and a TRANSPARENCY displaying BRITANNIA receiving the Homage of GALLIC SLAVES.

⁂ No Room for Lobby Loungers. _Vivant Rex et Regina._

According to the caricaturist, Hanover had no special attractions for Bonaparte. ‘Boney in possession of the Millstone’ (Ansell, July 5, 1803) shews him as having a fearfully large and weighty millstone hung round his neck, called Hanover. He totters under the weight, and calls out that ‘It’s cursed heavy! I wish it had been Malta!’ John Bull, dressed as a countryman, jeers him: ‘What! thee hast got it, hast thee? The Devil do thee good with it--Old Measter Chatham used to say it was a Millstone about my neck--so perhaps I may feel more lightsome without it.’

‘Flags of Truth and Lies’ (artist unknown, July 10, 1803) is a representation of a typical Frenchman and Englishman, as then imagined. The Frenchman holds a tricoloured flag, and intimates that ‘Mon grande Maître bid-a you read dat, Monsieur!’ and points to the following text on the flag: ‘Citizen first Consul Buonaparte presents Compliments and Thanks to the Ladies and Gentlemen of Great Britain, who have honored him with their visits at Paris, and intends himself the pleasure of returning it in person, as soon as his arrangements for that purpose can be completed.’ John Bull replies, ‘And let your Grand Master read that, Mounseer,’ and points to his flag, the Union Jack, on which is written ‘John Bull does not rightly understand the Chief Consul’s lingo--but supposes he means something about Invasion; therefore the said John Bull deems it necessary to observe that if his Consular Highness dares to invade any Ladies or Gentlemen on his coast, he’ll be damn’d if he don’t sink him.’

THE DEVIL AND THE CONSUL.

_A New Song._

As the Devil thro’ Paris one Day took a Walk, BUONAPARTE he met,--and they both had some Talk; Great Hero, says _Satan_, pray how do you do? I am well, cried the Consul, my Service to you. _Derry down, down, down, derry down!_

What News do you bring from your Empire below, How is OLIVER CROMWELL? But very so, so! I fancy he envies your _glories_ so great; For he vows he ne’er reigned in such Splendor and State-- Derry down, &c.

Tho’ he often exerted himself in _my_ Cause, Still Britons from him, had some excellent Laws; How much below yours all his Merits must fall, Who rules this _Republic_ without Laws at all!!! Derry down, &c.

ALEXANDER, and CÆSAR, fine Heroes in Story, Are jealous, I know, of your Deeds, and your Glory; Tho’ they push’d thro’ the Globe all their Conquests pell mell, And rul’d _Monarchs_ on Earth, now they’re _Subjects_ in Hell. Derry down, &c.

’Bout Religion at Rome you once made a great Pother, Have pulled down one _Pope_, and then set up another! In _Egypt_ I’ve heard of your _wonderful_ Works, How Mahomet you worshipp’d, to flatter the Turks! Derry down, &c.

The Deeds you there acted with _Poison_ and Ire, On my Realms are recorded in Letters of Fire; Not an _Imp_ in my Service, but boasts of your Fame, And ‘grins, horribly’ grins--when he mentions your name. Derry down, &c.

You boast much, dear CONSUL, of Liberty’s Tree, You say that the _Dutch_ and the _Swiss_ are quite free! If such Freedom as this to give Britain’s your aim, Try your skill, that I soon to yourself may lay claim! Derry down, &c.

When the Time shall arrive that’s determin’d by Fate-- That you quit for INVASION your Consular Seat; Fear not--if bold Britons should prove your o’erthrow, You’re sure of a _Seat_ in my Kingdom below! Derry down, &c.

Gillray (July 20, 1803) produced the ‘Death of the Corsican Fox--Scene, the last of the Royal Hunt,’ in which George III. holding his horse’s bridle, with one hand holds up the Corsican Fox, to throw to his hounds, St. Vincent, Nelson, Sydney Smith, Gardner, Cornwallis, and others--shouting merrily, meanwhile, ‘Tally ho! Tally ho! ho! ho! ho!’