A French emblematical design, with numbers referring to an explanation engraved below the print. The sovereigns of Europe surround a rectangular council-table on three sides. On the table is a map, inscribed 'République française une et indivisible', in the centre of which is a cap of liberty emitting rays: '1. Le bonnet de la liberté rayonnant de gloire posé sur la Carte géographique de la République Française son éclat ébloui et surprend tous les tyrans rassemblés.' A cock enters by an oval window above the door, grasping a level (cf. BMSat 8639), which emits flames and thunderbolts directed against the crowns of Catherine II, Francis II, Charles IV, and George III: '2. Le Coq emblême de la vigilance et de la République française penètre dans l'enceinte avec le signe de l'egalité d'ou part une foudre qui les décoëffe'. Immediately behind '1' stands Francis II, his crown, clutched by a double-headed Habsburg eagle, falls from his head; serpents emerge from it.   One hand holds the map, the other is raised with a predatory gesture: '3 Le tyran autrichien (dit Empereur) coëffé à la coblentz souleve la carte pour déranger la bonnet de la liberté, mais son aigle superbe frappé de la foudre entraine par sa chutte sa couronne sous la qu'elle sont les serpens de l'envie appanage de la maison d'autriche.'   Beside him (left) is Frederick William II, pointing to the map, his left hand on the shoulder of Francis II, looking round at Catherine II, who is seated at the head of the table; his (broken) crown falls from his head: '4 Le tyran Prussien dit à la Cateau du nord qu'il soutiendra le tyran d'autriche, quoi qu'il ne L'aime pas.' On a throne (left), on a dais, and under a canopy of heavy draperies, sits Catherine II, her left foot planted on the council-table, her arms held out towards the map: '5 La grosse et vielle Cateau (ditte madame l'enjambée [see BMSat 7842]) voulant tenter de faire encore une sotise, mais la foudre de l'égalité attaque la pompe ridiculé qui fait tout son bonheur. Ses beaux projets sont aupied de son trône designés par unfeu de paille et un vaisseau démâté.' The dismasted ship and burning straw are in the foreground on the extreme left. Behind Catherine, lurking in the draperies of her throne, stands Stanislaus II of Poland on the extreme left, frowning over his shoulder at the council-table, his crown is broken (as in BMSat 4957): '6 Le buttor ou tyran de la Pologne relegué derierre le rideau de la vielle Cateau, montrant du doigt sa couronne déja dechirée par elle' [in the First and Second Partitions].   Between and behind 3 and 4 is Victor Amadeus III of Savoy, his crown obscured and displaced by a small solid cloud; he has a grotesquely long nose: '7 Le tyran Amendé ou roi des marmottes, ayant un pied de nez de voir les esperances de ses deux gendres [Monsieur and d'Artois, afterwards Louis XVIII and Charles X] au néant.'  (Savoy and Nice were overrun by the French in 1792, cf. BMSat 8143.)  Charles IV, his crown on fire and horns sprouting from his forehead, stands beside Francis II, his hand held before his face: '8 Sire d'Espagne tyran des deux mondes voulant se garantir avec sa main de l'éclat du bonnet glorieux.' Next (right), at the end of the table facing Catherine stands George III, his crown on fire and threatened by a small solid cloud, his expression one of foolish vacuity. Before him on the table are piles of coins, which extend across the map of France; he holds two in his right hand, which rests on the table.   Behind him stands Pitt, his fingers ending in talons, his legs in hoofs; he directs the King's actions and pushes a hooked pole resembling a boat-hook on to the map, beside 'Toulon'.   They are: '9. George dandin tyran d'angleterre dans les bras de l'infernal Pitt, qui lui fait verser de l'argent pour corrompre.' '10. Pitt agissant pour le benet George veut accrocher Toulon, ses pieds et ses mains ergotées désignent son caractère diabolique.'  On the extreme right sits the Pope, holding his triple cross, his crown partly obscured by a small cloud.  In his left hand he holds a scroll headed 'Bulle' and ending with 'nulle'.  At his feet the dove of the Saint-Esprit, the head irradiated, lies dead: '12. Le tyran de la chretienté connu sous le nom de St Pere!  tenant dans sa main une Bulle qui termine par le mot nulle. l'esprit qui lui dictoit étant à plat sur le dos à ses pieds. un nuage
<p><br>efface l'éclat de la thiare.'
<br>In the foreground, emerging from under the table-cloth, is a monkey, Ferdinand IV of Naples, the order of the Golden Fleece hung round his neck; he looks towards the Pope. Beneath him is a (damaged) heraldic shield with the arms of the House of Bourbon. On the ground beside him are a toy horse on wheels and a crown pierced by a stag's antlers: '11. Le singe Napolitain après être longtems reste sous le tapis déclare sa coalition pour imiter ses confreres, le double ornement de sa tête est auprès de lui ainsi que son joujou, la haquenée qu'il à l'honneur de présenter au Pope.' (The annual tribute of a white hackney from the King of Naples to the Pope had been abolished in 1776.  de Vinck, No. 878.) December 1793
</p>
<br>Etching
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