- Oui, monsieur Rifolet, on dit que les Cosaques n'ont l'air de marcher sur Constantinople que pour mieux nous tromper... au vrai, ils sont en route sur Paris... pour moi, j'ai pris toutes mes mesures, j'ai déjà caché soigneusement tous mes paquets de chandelles.
- Oui, monsieur Rifolet, on dit que les Cosaques n'ont l'air de marcher sur Constantinople que pour mieux nous tromper... au vrai, ils sont en route sur Paris... pour moi, j'ai pris toutes mes mesures, j'ai déjà caché soigneusement tous mes paquets de chandelles.
Title (alt.):
Charivari. Yes, Monsieur Rifolet, it seems that the Cossacks are just marching towards Constantinople in order to fool us... in reality, they are already on their way to Paris... in any event, I have taken all the necessary precautions and have hidden all my candles in the cellar.
Description:
It was a common belief that Cossacks ate bee's wax. For this reason, one of the two gentlemen in the picture has already hidden his candles in the cellar in case they invade Paris. The Last Will of Peter the Great pronounced Russia as protector of Christianity in the Orient and was specifically aimed at the Turkish Empire. The varying interest between Russia and England eventually culminated in the Crimean War.
Copyright restrictions may apply. For permission to copy or use this image, contact the Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special Collections Department, Brandeis University Libraries. The following credit line must be included with each item used: Benjamin A. and Julia M. Trustman Collection of Honoré Daumier Lithographs, Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections Department, Brandeis University.
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Place of origin:
Paris
Notes:
2nd state.
Published in: Le Charivari, June 28, 1853.
Notes (acquisition):
Donated by: Benjamin A. and Julia M. Trustman, 1959.
