High Fun for John Bull, or the Republicans Put to their Last Shift

High Fun for John Bull, or the Republicans Put to their Last Shift

Thomas Rowlandson

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

John Bull stands with a whip at left, watching the baking of ships for France in a Dutch Oven. A Dutchman pushes into the oven on a shovel a batch of ships, and says, "Donder & Blaxan to Dis Fraternization instead of smoaking mine Pipes & sacking De Gold, Dis french Broders make me build Ships Dat Mynheer Jan Bull may have De Fun to take dem." A Frenchman kneels behind him holding out another batch of ships on a tray, and says, "Sacredieu Citoyens make a Haste wit one autre Fleet, den we will shew you how to make one grande Invasion." A French peasant approaches with a heavy receptacle inscribed: "Ruination, Botheration, Confiscation, Requisition, Plunderation, Limitation, Execution, Constitution, Fraternization, Naturalization, Expedition, Abolition, Cutthroatation & Damnation." Behind the Dutchman a Spaniard holds a tray of cannons on his head, and says, "How! That Nelson wit one Arm & Eye, can take our Ships by Dozens then vat shall we do against the autres, wid two Arms and Eyes, dey will have two dozen at a Time." John Bull answers, "What? you could not find that out before you stupid Dupes, but since you began the fun you shall keep on - So work away Damn ye else Jack Tar will soon be idle". Behind at left, Jack Tar stands with a large tray of ships on his head, saying, "Push on keep moving I'll soon come for another Cargo for Old England for ever Huzza."

Drawings and Prints

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

High Fun for John Bull, or the Republicans Put to their Last ShiftHigh Fun for John Bull, or the Republicans Put to their Last ShiftHigh Fun for John Bull, or the Republicans Put to their Last ShiftHigh Fun for John Bull, or the Republicans Put to their Last ShiftHigh Fun for John Bull, or the Republicans Put to their Last Shift

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