French happiness English misery. (BM J,4.91)

A design in two compartments. On the right, in a poverty-stricken room, four ragged and famished French sansculottes tug frantically at the limbs of a frog, saying, "aha by Gar So we serve all the Enemies to Liberty and Equality." On the empty hearth is a pan inscribed 'Tree of Liberty', in which a small twig has been planted; two rats sniff at it. On a shelf above it is a (?) crucifix supporting a noose of rope. On the wall (left) is a trellis in which assignats are stuck: '5000, Assignat 2000, 500.' Next is a large print: a body hangs from a lamp-post; an infant, 'the son of an Aristocrate', is impaled on a spike; a soldier carries a head on his bayonet. Next is a 'List of the Killed & Wounded Allied Army Jemapps 306,184, 200, [total] 690. French 20 - 600, 14 - 590,18 - 900, [total] 54090. French victorie.' A dead bird is in a cage (left). A rat emerging from a hole looks at a dead or dying cat. A broken pitcher is inscribed 'Water'.
On the left a countryman carves a juicy sirloin, two men, one gorged to repletion, the other stuffing hard, sit at the table. A man in a smock stands at the table; he holds a frothing pitcher and draws his hand across his mouth, saying, "Here goes, the King & Constitution for ever" (cf. BMSat 8287, &c). A blazing fire burns in the grate, by it lies a corpulent dog, while a fat cat plays with a mouse. On the chimney-piece is a 'Bible', above it is pasted 'O the Roa[st] Beef of ol[d] England'. Other songs pasted up are 'God save the King and Rule Brittania.' Two frothing pitchers stand on the floor. Through an open window is seen a man sowing, and a man driving a team of oxen. Laden apple-branches extend across the window; beside it a bird sings in a cage. 3 January 1793.

Hand-coloured etching