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| Archive Reference / Library Class No. | D5459/2/54 |
| Former Reference | D5459/3/24 |
| Title | John Bull Making Observations on the Comet |
| Date | 10 Nov 1807 |
| Description | On the right, John Bull, a fat 'cit' in a bob wig, bends in order to look at the sun through a telescope. At the centre of the sun is a bust portrait of George III, while making its way towards the sun from the left, is a comet with the head of Napoleon. John Bull comments:
" Aye - Aye Master comet - you may attempt your Periheliums - or your Devil heliums for what I care but take the word of an Old Man you'll never reach the sun depend upon it".
Beneath the sun is a the Channel with warships on it. |
| Level | SubSeries |
| Repository | Derbyshire Record Office |
| Artist | Woodward, George Murgatroyd (?1765-1809) |
| Engraver: Rowlandson, Thomas (1756-1827) |
| Archive Creator | George Murgatroyd Woodward (1765-1809), artist and writer |
| Further Information | 274
Woodward Delin : Rowlandson scul
London Printed for Thos Tegg 111 Cheapside 10th Nov 1807
Price One shilling coloured
Napoleon had been building up a coalition to help him try and defeat England, and in the summer of 1807 he signed the treaty of Tilsit with Russia, effectively dismantling Prussia. A comet had been sighted in England in the autumn of 1807. |
| Related Material | For more on Napoleon see D5459/2/39 etc. |
| Publication Note | BM Sat 10766 |