French-telegraph making signals in the dark, James Gillray, 1795

A newly invented french telegraph (semaphore) stands on the coast, with the head of fox, in back view but looking to the right with a fiercely determined expression. The crossbeam represents his arms and the arms of the semaphore; the raised right hand holds a lantern which lights up the french fleet (in full sail for england) and a fort on the french coast flying a large tricolour flag inscribed 'république'. The left hand points downwards and to the left to a dark cluster of roofs and spires dominated by st. Paul's. The base of the telegraph is circular and of brick. An arched opening shows the interior, in it is a pile of daggers. In the sky is a waning moon. 26 january 1795 hand-coloured etching and aquatint. Date: 1795. Dimensions: Height: 247 mm; Width: 350 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Charles James Fox. Collection: British Museum. French-telegraph making signals in the dark (BM 1868,0808.6406)