Etching with original colour. Published by SW Fores, No. 50 Piccadilly, November 23 1803.
Image size: 250 x 375mm.
Generally very good condition throughout. Colour bright and authentic. A manuscript signature 'Atchuley 1860' has been added at bottom right. Laid onto cartridge paper support.
To give its full title, 'Boney's Journey to London or the Reason why he is so Long in comeing i,e, Because he travels like a Snail with his house at his back' is a satire published at the time of a feared French invasion of the British Isles. A number of lean and poorly shod French soldiers, encouraged by an officer with a knotted lash, are pulling a small hut on wheels. Out of its window (framed by bound fasces and under which is a model guillotine and the motto 'Liberte Toute Entiere') Napoleon leans, saying, "You Vagabones make haste, Vite, Vite, or I shall not get to London by Christmass, give them more of the Fraternal Whip the DamRascals do not know the Value of Liberty!!" On the side of the hut is a door, a sign reads, 'Grande Chambre for recieve de Petitions from de Englishmen'. Inside the hut, a cook with knife in hand says: "Me no smell de Beef Yet". Within it hang bunches of onions labelled 'to season de Beef', and a frog. Above it, 'Cuisine for roast de English Beef ma Foi'.
