Boney & the great State Secretary / Argus delt.

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Charles Williams
1796-1866
Boney & the great State Secretary / Argus delt.
hand colored etching
image: 318 x 226 mm; plate mark: 352 x 247 mm; sheet: 372 x 269 mm
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1900.
Peel 1894
Published: 
[London] : Publishd Feby. 1806 by Walker, No 7 Cornhill, 1806 Feby.
Provenance: 
Formerly owned by Sir Robert Peel.
Notes: 

Lettered with title, speech in design, "Argus delt / Published Feby 1806 by Walker No.7 Cornhill." First line: "How do you do Master Charley why ..."; last line: "land without My leave--."

Summary: 

Napoleon, in military uniform and wearing a large feathered bicorne, holds out both hands to the much taller and bulkier Fox. The latter is in Court dress with a large feather-fringed cocked hat under his left. arm. He holds his formidable fist towards the Emperor's face. Napoleon says: "How do you do Master Charley why you are so fine I scarcely knew ye - don't you remember me - why I am little Boney the Corsican - him that you came to see at Paris & very civil I was to you I'm sure If you come my way I shall be glad to see you - so will my Wife & Family they are a little changed in their dress as well as you - We shall be very happy to take a little Peace-soup with you when ever you are inclined Master Charley." Fox answers: "Why you little Corsican reptile - how dare you come so near the person of the Right Honble C----- J------ F------ one of his M------ principal Secretaries of State. Member of the - P------ C------ &c &c &c &c &c &c &c &c go to see You!! - Arrogant little Man. Mr Boney - if you do not instantly Vanish from my sight I'le break every bone in your body - learn to behave yourself in a peaceable manner nor dar to set your foot on this happy land without My leave - ."

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