Political chemist and German retorts

Rowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827 · December 14, 1813

A delicate operation, which has engaged the attention of all the leading Powers of Europe, is supposed to be proceeding. The colossal power of the Corsican is undergoing transmutation, and the conqueror is gradually being resolved into his original elements. A German Stove supplies the furnace, and the fuel is recruited from John Bull's Coal Tub ; that patriotic person is assisting the process as one of the leading experimental chemists ; Dutch bellows are furnishing various powerful blasts ; the Spanish Don is pounding some effectually irresistible chemicals in his famous mortar, Saragossa. The Corsican has been forced into a receiver ; Bernadotte is pouring in a portion of sulphate of Swedish iron before the cover is fixed on ; the Emperor, who has been reduced to mere pigmy proportions, is praying for time. All the leading States of Europe are engaged in the operation.