Fox as a colossal hercules, hairy and savage, bestrides the english channel, supporting between the toes of his right foot the flag of 'libertas'; his left foot is planted near a castle on a cliff flying the union jack. He wears a fox's skin over his shoulders, the head forming a cap, with a ragged coat and breeches. His arms and legs are bare; the large brush of his fox's skin almost sweeps the channel. He flourishes his 'whig-club' (cf. Bmsat 8996) above his head, saying, "invade the country, hay? - let them come, - thats all! - zounds, where are they? - i wish i could see 'em here, thats all! - ay! ay! only let them come, - that's all!!!" the channel is filled with a fleet of men-of-war with ship's boats in the foreground, all making from france to england, and drawn by strings which fox holds in his left hand. 19 february 1797
etching. Date: 1797. Dimensions: Height: 363 mm; Width: 258 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Charles James Fox. Collection: British Museum. The Republican-Hercules defending his country. (BM 1868,0808.6595)
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