1-192-422 - © London Museum/Heritage-Images

The Invasion - England, 1756. A group of girls and soldiers outside an inn called the Duke of Cumberland. A grenadier paints a caricature of the French king on the wall, cheered on by two other soldiers. A sword lies across a huge slab of beef on the table. A piece of paper with the words to the song Rule Britannia also lies on it. On the right a man stands on tiptoe to appear taller so that he will be recruited into the army. Soldiers line up on parade in the distance. This was one of two pictures that was issued as a reply to a rumour that France was going to invade. The other picture depicted a similar scene in France. The inn is called the Duke of Cumberland because in 1746 he had conquered the French at Culloden. Exhibition (The Duke's nickname was, of course, Butcher.) An eager recruit stands on tiptoe to increase his height so that he will be eligible to fight; two girls measure a genadier's shoulders and test the keenness of a sword laid across huge side of beef. Ah, yes, the beef! In case the point is missed, Garrick spells it out: Seven Years' War in response to a rumor that an invasion from France was imminent. They