Caricature by thomas rowlandson after a design by lord george murray: the contrast 1792 / which is best, showing a contrast of "british liberty" vs. "french liberty". On left: britannia with a lion at her feet, holding "magna carta" and a pole with a liberty (phrygian) cap on it (instead of the usual trident), to emphasize british liberty under law. A lion is at her feet, and a ship sails off in the background. Inscription: "religion, morality, loyalty, obedience to the laws, independence, personal security, justice, inheritance, protection, property, industry, national prosperity, happiness. "
on right: scrawny ill-clad personification of france with medusa snakes instead of hair, treading on beheaded corpse with man hanged from lantern-post in background. Inscription: "atheism, perjury, rebellion, treason, anarchy, murder, equality, madness, cruelty, injustice, treachery, ingratitude, idleness, famine, national & private ruin, misery"
overall question, "which is best?"
published on behalf of the association for the preservation of liberty and property against republicans and levellers, 1792. Hand-coloured etching. British museum, london. Date: 1792.
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