1-150-800 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'Awkward', 1878. A battered Turkey leans against the Russian Bear. Both agree in refusing to allow the British Lion, standing in a boat rowed by a trusty British sailor, to land. The war between Russia and Turkey had recently ended with an Armistice Convention being signed by both sides on 31st January 1878. Only a few days later, however, information was received by the British government that Russian troops were still advancing on Constantinople and the British Fleet was immediately ordered to make its way there. In the meantime, Russia, in order to protect Christian citizens, ordered troops to enter Constantinople. From Punch, or the London Charivari, February 23, 1878.