"One of many satires on the attitude of Fox to France ... A diagram of 'The Telegraphe, or Machine for conveying intelligence with wonderful quickness, as used by the French' (in Print Room) was probably known to Gillray (reproduced, Wheeler and Broadley, ii. 33). For the English adaptation of the invention of Claude Chappe see BMSat 9232."--Curator's comments, Briish Museum online catalog.
A newly invented French telegraph (semaphore) stands on the coast, with the head of Fox, in back view but looking to the right with a fiercely determined expression. The crossbeam represents his arms and the arms of the semaphore; the raised right hand holds a lantern which lights up the French fleet (in full sail for England) and a fort on the French coast flying a large tricolour flag inscribed 'République'. The left hand points downwards and to the left to a dark cluster of roofs and spires dominated by St. Paul's. The base of the telegraph is circular and of brick. An arched opening shows the interior, in it is a pile of daggers. In the sky is a waning moon.