A satirical stage play, performed in mockery of the attempts at peace with France offered by the Ministry of All the Talents after the death of William Pitt, during the War of the Third Coalition. Pitt's death in February, leaving the nation without clear governmental leadership during the ongoing war with Napoleon led to the formation of a national unity government under William Grenville, including, to the surprise of many, Charles James Fox, Pitt's longtime opponent and the bête noir of King George III. The intended peace, like the Ministry itself for the most part, was ultimately a failure. Gillray presents the peace in the manner of a stage show, with Napoleon at centre, diminutive in stature, wearing a plumed bicorn and with unsheathed sabre, arriving deus ex machina on a cloud. With his left hand, he gestures behind him at a long list, arrogantly declaring "There's my Term's." The list of peace terms, held up by a sneering Tallyrand in bishop's garb and with a quill pen behind one ear, reads as nothing less than complete and abject surrender: "Acknowledge me as Emperor. Dismantle your Fleet. Reduce your Army_, Abandon Malta & Gibraltar, Renounce all Continental Connection. Your Colonies I will take at a Valuation. Engage to pay to the Great Nation for 7 Years annually £1.000.000, and place in my Hands as Hostages the Princess Charlotte of Wales, with Ten of ye late Administration whom I shall name._" The Protagonist, King George, stands to the left of the stage beside an anchor, in uniform and with his sword on his right shoulder, peering through an opera glass at the new arrival, while responding indignantly: "_Very amusing Terms indeed!_and might do vastly well with some of the new-made little Gingerbread Kings_but WE are not in the habit of giving up either "Ships, or Commerce, or Colonies"- merely because little Boney is in a pet to have them!!!" Behind the King is the likeness of the recently deceased Pitt, standing atop a pillar inscribed with the motto of the Pitt medal "Non sibi sed Patriae vixit" - he lived not for himself but for his Fatherland. The King has clearly leapt forth from the Royal box behind him, the curtain above which is blazoned with "Ge. IIId. whom God long preserve" below a pillow bearing a crown, a sword, and a sceptre. On the right of the scene are Napoleon's entourage. A trio of cadaverous French Grenadiers carry eagles for the Armies of England, Ireland, and Scotland prepared for invasion. Tallyrand perches on a huge cornucopia, from which tumbles a slew of payments to French agents and propagandists. Chief amongst them is Arthur O'Connor, the United Irishman, who looks down at Fox in the orchestra Pitt with the exhortation: "Remember my Friend your Oath. - "Our Politicks are the Same." In the boxes behind are a motley assortment, including Francis Burdett and John Horne Tooke, shouting "Bravo" and "Bravissimo" at the French demands, and below them the Prince of Wales and his lover Mrs Fitzherbert, who clutch an advertisement for another upcoming performance, a farce entitled "Dolly made a Dutchess." The performance is augmented by musical accompaniment provided by the Ministry of All the Talents in the orchestra below the stage. The chaos and confusion of competing interests in the Ministry is here expressed by the way each musician performs a different tune. First violin is played by Grenville, attempting to call the orchestra to attention and beginning the opening strains of "Britons strike home." Fox, to his left, attempts to pay tribute to the magnanimity of the monarch in agreeing to his seat at the table by attempting 'God save the King' after an extended flourish to look across at O'Connor. Among others, Sheridan scowls in the corner, abandoning his bassoon, Sidmouth blows on a clyster-pipe, and Tierney, eager for any position, clutches an aulos labelled with the names of Grenville and Fox, quite literally playing both sides. BM Satires 10549.