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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D5459/4/16
Former ReferenceD5459/3/9
TitleBroad Bottoms in Holland Worshipping Their New King or Nic Frogs Adualtion of Louis Baboon
Date23 Jul 1806
DescriptionOn the left, Louis Bonaparte, depicted as a monkey, sits on a throne holding an orb and a 'ROD OF IRON'. He is faced by a row of bowing Dutchmen. All are large, and smoking pipes. Each has an inscription on his behind, these are, from left to right: 'BATAVIA STARVED', 'CAPE LOST', 'SURINAM LOST', 'CEYLON LOST', 'TRINIDAD LOST', 'TOBAGO LOST'.

One of the men addresses Louis:
"Most Illustrious Sovereign - we humbly bend before your sublime throne - and offer up our humble incense to your exalted nostrils, like your Imperial Brother who is the guardian angel of the universe you are a monkey of ten thousand, and sent by some supernatural agent to free us from our vile ancient republican ideas - Schimmelpenninck - compared with your august highness was but a small fly on the broad bottom of an Elephant! - Accept our grateful loyalty and may you long reign over our free and independent country."

Louis replies:
"May it please your Most Honorable Broad Bottoms to accept my most sincere acknowledgement - for your unprecedented Loyalty, believe me, I will ever be a friend to my croaking subjects - but from the advice of my illustrious Brother, though I may occasionally become a frog, I shall never forget that I am a French Monkey."

On the left are four frogs, also smoking pipes.
Available on CD 166.
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
ArtistRowlandson, Thomas (1756-1827)
Archive CreatorGeorge Murgatroyd Woodward (1765-1809), artist and writer
Further InformationPubd July 23rd 1806 by T Rowlandson No 1 James Street, Adelphi

Louis Bonaparte was officially proclaimed the hereditary King of Holland on 5 Jun 1806
Frogs had traditionally been used to represent the Dutch, not the French.
Physical DescriptionHand-coloured print. Size 390 x 268 mm.
CopiesA digital copy can also be viewed on the public computers at the record office.
Image

Broad Bottoms in Holland Worshipping Their New King or Nic Frogs Adualtion of Louis Baboon

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