GILLRAY TEXT
Rows of French soldiers (left) do infantry drill with muskets seated on the backs of sorry asses (cf. BMSat 9361), with no harness but rope halters. The man in the foreground (the others being concealed by the closeness of the ranks), though smart, is ragged, his foot projecting through the boot. Their officer (right), with raised sword, gives the word of command seated on an ass which brays with outstretched neck at the other asses. He has a saddle and his ass is in slightly better condition. Clouds form a background. See BMSat 9355, &c. 12 March 1799 Hand-coloured etching |