Physical aid, or, Britannia recover'd from a trance also, the patriotic courage of Sherry Andrew, & a peep thro' the fog. [graphic]

"Britannia, terrified, faint, and dishevelled sits on the ground supported by Addington and Hawkesbury, and defended by Sheridan, a Silenus-like and ragged Harlequin. They are on the coast towards which are advancing many rowing-boats filled with little French soldiers. Napoleon stands with drawn sword in the foremost boat, a tiny figure with a large head and no body, to show that he is Nobody, as in BMSat 5570, &c. The distant French coast (right) is covered with troops marching towards the shore. Clouds of smoke rise from the beach, which is concealed by the foreground. Britannia, wearing Roman dress with cothurnes, raises her arms, and shrieks (parodying Hamlet): "Doctors & Ministers of dis grace defend me!" The 'dis' is scored through but conspicuously legible. Addington holds a bottle of Gunpowder to her nose, and looks in alarm at the approaching army. He says: "Do not be alarm'd my dear lady! the Buggabo's (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!" Hawkesbury looks down with deep melancholy, supporting her (cracked) shield, and holding her (damaged) spear. He says: "Yes my Lady, you must try to Stand up, or we shall never be able to "March to Paris"". Sheridan holds Harlequin's wooden sword of 'Dramatic-Loyalty' in his right hand (cf. BMSat 9916). On his left arm is a shield with Medusa's head, the snaky locks inscribed: 'Abuse', 'Bouncing', 'Puffing', 'Detraction', 'Stolen Jests', 'Malevolence', 'Stale Wit', 'Envy'. He wears a hat turned up in front with a tricolour cockade; its crown is a fool's cap with two ears and a bell. Round his paunch is a tricolour sash through which is thrust a paper: 'Ways and Means to get a Living'. He shouts in defiance at the distant army: "Let 'em come! - dam'me!!! - where are the French Buggabo's? - single handed I'd beat forty of 'em!!! dam'me, I'd pay 'em like Renter Shares, sconce off their half Crowns!!! - mulct them out of their Benefits, & come ye Drury Lane Slang over 'em!" Behind, between Addington and Sheridan, is the head of Fox, holding his hat before his eyes; he says: "Dear me - what can be the reason of the Old Lady being awak'd in such a Fright? - I declare I can't see any thing of the Buggabo's!" In the foreground lies a long torn scroll, headed 'Treaty of Peace.'"--British Museum online catalogue