The republican-Hercules defending his country [graphic] / Js. Gy. inv. & f.

[London] : Pubd. Feby. 19th, 1797, by H. Humphrey, New Bond Street, [19 February 1797]

1 print : etching ; plate mark 35.9 x 25.3 cm, on sheet 37 x 26 cm

wove paper

Temporary local subject terms: Giants -- Ships: French fleet -- Flags: French flag -- Union Jack -- Puns: Whig club -- Foxes -- Clubs: reference to Whig Club -- Invasions.

Title etched below image.

From a collection in twelve volumes probably compiled by Francis Harvey and sold at auction, Sotheby, London, June 1900. Bequest of Hugh Dudley Auchincloss to Yale University Library, 1981. Bound by Riviere & Son in three-quarters red morocco with gold tooling and gold lettering on spine.

"Fox as a colossal Hercules, hairy and savage, bestrides the English Channel, supporting between the toes of his right foot the flag of 'Libertas'; his left foot is planted near a castle on a cliff flying the Union Jack. He wears a fox's skin over his shoulders, the head forming a cap, with a ragged coat and breeches. His arms and legs are bare; the large brush of his fox's skin almost sweeps the Channel. He flourishes his 'Whig-Club' (cf. BMSat 8996) above his head, saying, "Invade the Country, hay? - let them come, - thats all! - Zounds, where are they? - I wish I could see 'em here, thats all! - ay! ay! only let them come, - that's all!!!" The channel is filled with a fleet of men-of-war with ship's boats in the foreground, all making from France to England, and drawn by strings which Fox holds in his left hand."--British Museum online catalogue.

English

March 17, 2008

Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806 > Caricatures and cartoons.