The English Government, seeing how Napoleon was aggrandising himself, and seeing also that this country, alone, could save the liberty of Europe, did not hurry to conform with the treaty of Amiens, and surrender all the advantages gained by the late long struggle; and although, with reluctance, the Cape, and other Batavian settlements, were given up, excuses were always to be found for not evacuating Malta.
On January 25, Lord Whitworth and Talleyrand had an interview, and the latter, after bitterly complaining of the licence of the British press, which he said ought to be curbed, or suppressed, asked plainly what were the intentions of the British Government with regard to Malta? It is to this interview, probably, that the following caricature owed its existence. How Cobbett lashed Addington, for his nepotism, in his ‘Annual Register’!!
‘The Evacuation of Malta’ (Gillray, February 9, 1803) is vividly, almost too graphically, depicted. Ferocious little Bonaparte has hold of poor frightened Addington by his necktie, and, by flourishing his enormous sword, compels him to evacuate Malta, Egypt, Cape of Good Hope, St. Domingo, Guadaloup, and Martinique. In vain Addington pleads, ‘Pray do not insist upon Malta! I shall certainly be turned out! and I have a great many Cousins and Uncles and Aunts to provide for yet.’ But his merciless enemy will hear of no compromise, and yells out ‘All! All! you Jean F--t--e! and think yourself well off that I leave you Great Britain!!!’ A French officer mildly remonstrates, and suggests, ‘My General, you had better not get him turned out, for we shall not be able to humbug them any more.’
Ansell executed an engraving (February 10, 1803) of the ‘Rival Gardeners,’ which represents Napoleon, and George III., tending their respective gardens, which are divided by the Channel. Napoleon has a number of plants labelled ‘Military poppies,’ which flourish well; but he is greatly concerned about his principal flower, which has a very drooping head and flagging leaves. He cannot understand it. ‘Why, I don’t know what is the reason; my Poppies flourish charmingly; but this _Corona Imperialis_ is rather a delicate kind of a plant, and requires great judgment in rearing.’ His rival, however, points with pride to the sturdy British Oak, whose vigour is matchless, and is in full bloom, with a royal crown. He replies, ‘No, No, Brother Gardener, though only a ditch parts our grounds, yet this is the spot for true Gardening; here the _Corona Britanica_ and y^e _Heart of Oak_ will flourish to the end of the world.’