Gillray, James (1756 – 1815) – ‘Pacific-Overtures, or A Flight from St Cloud’s “over the Water to Charley”. A new Dramatic Peace now Rehearsing’.

'Pacific-Overtures, or A Flight from St Cloud's "over the Water to Charley". A new Dramatic Peace now Rehearsing'. Hand coloured etching. 'Pubd April 5th 1806, by H. Humphrey St James's Street'. Inscribed in the margins in an early nineteenth century hand. The new Ministry's peace overtures with France are heavily satirised as treacherous. At a theatre, the King has stepped out of the Royal Box and on to the stage, beside him is an anchor and behind him stands a statue of the late Pitt with one hand resting on a pillar inscribed 'Integrity'. The painted set at the back shows a British man-o-war named 'Royal Sovereign'. Napoleon stands to the right on a cloud. Gesturing to a scroll held by Talleyrand he says 'There's my terms'. The King replies, '[...] WE are not in the habits of giving up either "Ships, or Commerce, or Colonies", merely because little Boney is in a pet to have them!!!' In the orchestra pit is the new Ministry each playing from a sheet of paper humorously inscribed. From behind Talleyrand, Arthur O'Connor calls to Fox , 'Remember my Friend your Oath, - "Our Politicks are the same!"'. In the boxes to the right are The Prince and Mrs Fitzherbert. Above them are Horne Tooke and Burdett. Grattan is above the stage door and above him are the Duke of Clarence and Mrs. Jordan. 11.5x15 inches.