File:La Restitution (NAPOLEON 83).jpeg

English: This drawing reflects the uncertainty regarding the rearrangement of Europe after Napoleon's abdication in April, 1814, and the limited support given to Louis XVIII. It shows the sovereigns and generals of the Allies taking portions of the map of the Empire, but the allocations implied here do not accurately reflect the territorial decisions that were ultimately made at the Congress of Vienna. Ferdinand of Spain (#1) is shown carrying off a map of the entire Iberian Peninsula, saying "She's in a really bad state." But, in fact, Portugal was never intended to go to Spain, and Spain had little say in how Napoleon's conquered lands were divided. The Emperor of Austria (#3) is shown detaching the Netherlands (Pays Bas) from the map, saying "I need this too", but that was not to be the final outcome. He has already loaded parts of Poland, Germany, and Italy in the sack and has Venice and Piedmont in his pocket--these were part of the final division. The King of Prussia (#2) picks up the pieces of a model castle labeled Erfurt (location of a secret convention between Napoleon and Tsar Alexander) saying "Wherever you find something good, you grab it." He has scrolls labeled Saissels and Rosbac in his pocket.

Louis XVIII (#4) appears weak and passive while still hoping for territory: "But nevertheless this should be for me." Tsar Alexander of Russia (#5) hands Louis his crown, saying "Take this now, you can get the rest later" but Alexander keeps the map of France firmly in his hand. Napoleon (#6) is shown still sitting on his throne but looking stricken, and says to the other powers: "Thanks to you, I no longer have anything." The Duke of Wellington (#7) voices his satisfaction: "For a long time, I've been working for this."

The remaining people, prominent military and/or political aides to Napoleon, are shown deserting Napoleon and looking after their own survival. Murat (#8), one of Napoleon"s most loyal generals who was made King of Naples after the successful invasion of Spain, speculates: "Let's see what they will leave me." The other three are Cambacérès (#11) and his entourage (Villevieille #9, and d'Aigrefeuille #10), shown slipping out the back door. D'Aigrefeuille carries a cookbook under his arm and Cambacérès a document labeled "resignation by flight." Cambacérès and his friends were known for their gastronomic excess, and they did extricate themselves from politics after Napoleon's exile by fleeing Paris and returning to the provinces. Here, Villevielle asks "Are we going [to leave] before they tell us to?", and d'Aigrefeuille says "But from what side?" Cambacérès tells them to "Follow me, I know this door" and heads through the door marked "back door."

Reference source: George #12248
Also found in the De Vinck Collection (#9335) at the Bibliotheque Nationale (Paris).

• Subjects (LCSH): Political cartoons; History--Caricatures & cartoons; Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821; Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815; Alexander I, Emperor of Russia, 1777-1825; Frederick William III, King of Prussia, 1770-1840; Ferdinand VII, King of Spain, 1784-1833; Francis I, Emperor of Austria, 1768-1835; Louis XVIII, King of France, 1755-1824; Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of, 1769-1852; Joachim Murat, King of Naples, 1767-1815; Cambacérès, Jean Jacques Régis de, 1753-1824