After all, this is the year in which we normally reticent Brits can throw our caps in the air and indulge in some of those fist-on-fist bumps and hand-to-hand slaps that seem to be the way modern sportsmen celebrate a win these days. This year we will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of one of our greatest victories and the fact that it was against 'les Frogs' only adds to the deliciousness of it all. So, if you don't mind, you Yanks can just keep quiet about, er, well, you-know-where and what, and don't spoil our party!
Oh well, I suppose it's bound to come out, and indeed Harry Mount at The Coffee House has already let the cat out of the bag, although he has some excuse because it was his great-great-great-great uncle, Major-General Sir Edward Pakenham, who 200 years ago lost the battle of New Orleans. He was practicing that fine old British tradition of complete tossers leading our troops into dismal defeat, a practice which has lasted through until today! Also, the Americans cheated by appointing General Andrew 'Old Hickory' Jackson who, being of Irish-Scots stock - dread thought! - not only knew his stuff but burned with a dislike of all things English. In addition, he seemed to know how to fight a battle - typical American cheating!
The great irony, of course, is that the entire murderous, bloody encounter might have been avoided if the news that a peace treaty had been signed a couple of months earlier had reached the combatants in time. I blame the Post Office!
