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.’
[Illustration]
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.’
[Illustration:
FROM INDIGENCE IN CORSICA TO AFFLUENCE IN FRANCE.
FROM ASPIRING AMBITION TO THE SUMMIT OF POWER.
FROM CALAIS TO DOVER, WHERE LITTLE JOHN BULL DOES THE CORSICAN
OVER.[69]
]
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.’
[Illustration: ‘A THEATRICAL HERO.’]
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_.’