The figures have numbers referring to names engraved below the design. George iii sits asleep in profile to the right, beside a tavern table. On a flight of three steps leading from the room to the door (right), are departing guests, followed by an agonized waiter who presents his carte, saying, "eh messieurs! qui payera l'ecot?" he is pushed back by 'buonaparte', a tall commanding figure, who says, "descends, descends, georges l'a voulu, georges payera tout" (an allusion to georges dandin, see bmsat 8464, &c). Just behind him are the king of spain and the emperor. The former points, saying, "c'est georges quand il sera reveillé"; the latter says, "oui c'est lui qui paye pour nous". A dutchman, pipe in hand, disappears through the door, saying, "je me sauve. "
above george iii's head is a wall-map showing the road (inscribed 'il n'y a qu'un pas') from 'paris' to 'calais'; the straits of dover are 'canal libre'; the road continues from 'douvres' to 'londres'. Other roads give verisimilitude to the map. The king says: "jaurais du mettre de l'eau dans mon vin. Ah! pitt. " an empty bottle and onions (cf. Bmsat 8145) lie at his feet. C. January 1798
etching. Date: 1798. Dimensions: Height: 278 mm; Width: 330 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Napoléon I, Emperor of the French. Collection: British Museum. L'écot (The reckoning) (BM 1858,0417.1555)
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