Julie: Carlyle had undoubtedly heard Richard Leveridge’s song THE ROAST

BEEF OF OLD ENGLAND, written in the early 18th century. All together now:

When mighty roast beef was the Englishmen’s food
It ennobl’d our veins and enriched our blood.
Our soldiers were brave and our courtiers were good.
(Chorus) Oh! the roast beef of old England!
And old English roast beef.
But since we have learned from all-vaporing France
To eat their ragouts, as well as to dance,
We are fed up with nothing but vain complaisance.
(Chorus) Oh! the roast beef… etc.