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

Publisher Rudolph Ackermann, London British
November 12, 1798
Not on view
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."

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: High Fun for John Bull, or the Republicans Put to their Last Shift
  • Artist: Thomas Rowlandson (British, London 1757–1827 London)
  • Publisher: Rudolph Ackermann, London (British, active 1794–1832)
  • Date: November 12, 1798
  • Medium: Hand-colored etching and aquatint
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 11 in. × 14 1/8 in. (28 × 35.9 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1959
  • Object Number: 59.533.1998
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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