The Zanys, Robert Seymour, 1830

A large lion, inscribed 'public opinion', lies quietly; its eyes are closed but its profile is menacing. Two "zanys" with ass's ears and fool's caps prepare to control it. One, charles x, in uniform, his cap inscribed 'c x r' holding a plaster inscribed 'ordinance for abolishing the free press', stoops towards its head, while polignac (left) hammers in staples which attach the tail to the ground. The king: 'now polignac, don't let him wag his tail and i'll clap this plaster over his nose and he shan't snore!' aug 6 1830 lithograph. Date: 1830. Dimensions: Height: 225 mm (image); Width: 362 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Charles X, King of France and Navarre, . Collection: British Museum. The Zanys (BM 1868,0808.9217)