One of the uses of small telescopes, known as spyglasses, was to help those with poor sight. In satirical images, this could be used to emphasise the foolishness of those they lampooned.

This image shows King George III, on the right, with his spyglass held to his eye, receiving news of the British victory at the Battle of Copenhagen in 1807. George III evidently had poor eyesight and often used a spyglass. Many caricatures therefore show him with spyglass in hand, using the small device to emphasise the king’s ignorance of political and worldly affai