1-150-295 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'The Next Invasion', 1860. 'Landing of ther French (Light Wines) and Discomfiture of Old General Beer'. Earlier in February, England and France had committed themselves to the Treaty of Commerce. Under the terms of the Treaty, Britain could import French wines more cheaply, and this cartoon depicts Old General Beer, a rotund and florid man riding a cask of home brewed. He is looking in dismay at the advancing ranks of militant French wine bottles. Old General Beer is depicted as rural, and definitely not of the highest class, whilst the wine is disciplined and beyond the reach of the average labourer. The quote 'The next invasion' refers to all the rumours during the previous year concerning Louis Napoleon's supposed plot to launch an invasion on Britain. From Punch, or the London Charivari, February 11, 1860.