After the invasion - the levée in masse, or Britons strike home

This engraving was published at the height of the invasion scare in August, 1803. Three British soldiers stand in the foreground of the image. The soldier on the left extends a pitchfork on which Napoleon's head is impaled. The three soldiers speak in country accents and discuss the the foolishness of French plans to invade England. The two soldiers on the left and right of the scene wear elegant military uniforms, while the central figure is dressed in plain country clothing typically seen in representations of John Bull. All three wear black bicorne hats decorated with sprigs of oak and ribbons bearing messages of British superiority. In the distance, the French troops can be seen arriving on the British shore (left). British soldiers greet them with loaded muskets (center) and on horseback (right). Scavengers in the center distance (British women) pick the pockets of the French dead only to find meager holdings. For a similar composition, see James Gillray's "Buonaparte 48 Hours After Landing!!!" This engraving was published at the height of the invasion scare in August, 1803. Three British soldiers stand in the foreground of the image. The soldier on the left extends a pitchfork on which Napoleon's head is impaled. The three soldiers speak in country accents and discuss the the foolishness of French plans to invade England. The two soldiers on the left and right of the scene wear elegant military uniforms, while the central figure is dressed in plain country clothing typically seen in representations of John Bull. All three wear black bicorne hats decorated with sprigs of oak and ribbons bearing messages of British superiority. In the distance, the French troops can be seen arriving on the British shore (left). British soldiers greet them with loaded muskets (center) and on horseback (right). Scavengers in the center distance (British women) pick the pockets of the French dead only to find meager holdings. For a similar composition, see James Gillray's "Buonaparte 48 Hours After Landing!!!" Dialogue: Dang my Buttons if that beant the/ Head of that Rogue Boney. I told our/ Squire this morning, what do you think/ say's I the Lads of our Villiage can't cut/ up a Regiment of them French Mounsheers,/ and as soon as the Lasses had given us a Kiss/ for good luck I could have/ sworn we should do it/ and so we have. Dialogue: Why Harkee, d'ye zee, I never liked/ Soldiering afore, but some how or/ other when I though of our Sal/ the bearns, the poor pigs, the Cows/ and the Geese, why I could have/ killed the whole Army my/ own Self. Dialogue: Here he is Exalted my Lads/ 24 Hours after Landing. Dialogue: Why this is poor/ finding I have/ emptied the pockets/ of a score and only found/ one head of garlic/ 2 onions &/ a parcel of/ pill boxes Inscription: Folios of Caracatures Lent Out for the Evening Inscription: Pubd. Aug 6th 1803 by S W Fores Piccadilly