This sheet is divided into eight panels (four across, two down). The sing-song verses, originally published in the "Morning Chronicle," accompany the images depicting the destruction of a bridge leading out of Leipzig. The narrative begins in the upper left corner of the sheet with a representation of the arched stone bridge, and concludes in the lower right corner of the sheet with a depiction of the four allied monarchs discussing the division of a map. The other six images describe the orders that led to the demolition of the bridge, leaving Napoleon and his troops stranded on the battlefield. Originally, orders had been given to destroy the bridge after the French troops had crossed to safety. Instead, the bridge was demolished before planned, leaving Napoleon and his troops stranded on the battlefield while the well organized Russian army closed in on them. As the rhyme relates, Napoleon and other fugitives quickly turned tail and fled the scene. George notes, "Its chief aspects in caricature are Napoleon's flight, and the bridge; a corporal of engineers had been ordered to blow it up when the pursuers were at hand; he fired the mine before the rearguard had crossed, owing to the skillful flanking movements of the light Russian troops under Sacken. Napoleon rode with the fugitives from the battlefield." Sheet has some staining from glue backing, but is in otherwise excellent condition.
Notes:
Published by Thomas Tegg, 1813-12-01.
Caption: Panel 1: "This was the Bridge that was blown into air."
Caption: Panel 2: "These are the Miners who had the care/ of mining the Bridge that was blown into air."
Caption: Panel 3: "This is the Corporal, stout and strong,/Who fired the Mine with his match so long,/Which was made by the Miners who had the care,/ Of mining the Bridge that was blown into air."
Caption: Panel 4: "This is the Colonel of Infantry,/Who ordered the Corporal stout and strong,/To fire the Mine with his match so long,/Which was made by the Miners who had the care,/Of mining the bridge that was blown into air."
Caption: Panel 5: "This is the Marshal of high degree/Who whispered the Colonel of Infantry,/To order the Corporel stout and strong,/To fire the Mine with his match so long,/Which was made by the Miners who had the care/Of mining the Bridge that was blown into air."
Caption: Panel 6: "This is the Emperor who scampered away,/And left the Marshal of high degree,/To whisper the Colonel of Infantry,/To Order the Colonel stout and strong,/To fire the Mine with his match so long,/Which was made by the Miners who had the care/Of mining the Bridge that was blown into air."
Caption: Panel 7: "These are the Thousands who cursed the day,/Which made him an Emperor who scampered away,/And left the Marshal of high degree,/To whisper the Colonel of Infantry,/To order the Corporal stout and strong,/To fire the Mine with his match so long,/Which was made by the Miners who had the care,/Of mining the Bridge that was blown into air."
Caption: Panel 8: "These are the Monarchs so gen'rous and brave,/Who conquered the Tyrant and Liberty gave,/To Thousands and Thousands, who cursed the day,/Which made him an Emperor who scampered away,/And left the Marshal of high degree,/To whisper the Colonel of Infantry,/To order the Corporal stout and strong,/To fire the mine with his match so long,/Which was made by the Miners who had the care,/Of mining the Bridge that was blown into air."
"Bonaparte's bridge, to the tune of, this is the house that Jack built"
(1813).
Napoleonic Satires from the Anne S. K. Brown Military Collection, Prints, Drawings and Watercolors from the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection.
Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library.
https://repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/bdr:232163/
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