Reform advised, reform begun, reform compleat

Rowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827 · January 8, 1793

Reform Advised: John Bull, in his comfortable easy chair, and wearing the homely and decent clothes of a well-to-do citizen, is seated beside his substantial fare of good roast beef and plum pudding, with his mug of ' home-brewed.' Three of the French reformers are taking compassion upon his peaceful ignorance ; they have come over from Paris expressly to convert him to the advantages of the new order of things. Reform Begun discovers John Bull under altered circumstances ; his broadcloth is all in tatters, he has a wooden leg, and is shoeless ; in his hand is a frog, which he despairs of relishing : 'A pretty Reform, indeed ; you have deprived me of my leg, and given me nothing but frogs to eat ; I shall be starved ; I am no Frenchman!' Reform complete shows the national prototype thrown to the ground, and quite powerless under the results of the new regime.