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Father Thames introducing his offspring to the fair city of London. 1858
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Father Thames introducing his offspring to the fair city of London. 1858
Father Thames introducing his offspring to the fair city of London. 1858. (A design for a Fresco in the New Houses of Parliament.) Father Thames introduces his children, Diptheria, Scrofula and Cholera to the lady on the left who represents the City of London. In the background, to the left, can be seen the murky outline of St. Paul s. The architect, George Godwin, in his work Town Swamps and Social Bridges had described how a man living by the Thames had been able to tell the time by the constant reappearance with the sluggish tide of a swollen, dead dog. The summer of 1858 had been very dry and this had heightened the everyday problems caused by the usual filthy state of the Thames. A poem in Punch, Bake, bake, bake, includes the lines, And the swoln dead dogs go down Through the bridges, past Tow r Hill. This is a play on the title of Tennysons famous poem, Break, Break, Break. From Punch, or the London Charivari, July 3, 1858
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Media ID 14830456
© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images
Chimney Cholera Consumption Disease Father Thames Godwin Heritage Image Partnership Illness Shield Sick Sickness St Pauls Cathedral Tuberculosis Allegorical Figure Diptheria Kings Evil Scrofula
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a significant moment in the history of London, as Father Thames introduces his offspring to the fair city in 1858. The image depicts a design for a fresco in the New Houses of Parliament, showcasing Father Thames presenting his children - Diptheria, Scrofula, and Cholera - to the lady representing the City of London on the left. In the background, we catch a glimpse of St. Paul's Cathedral with its murky outline. This scene is particularly poignant considering architect George Godwin's description in his work "Town Swamps and Social Bridges". He vividly recounts how a man living by the Thames could tell time by observing the constant reappearance of swollen dead dogs with each sluggish tide. The summer of 1858 had been exceptionally dry, exacerbating everyday problems caused by the river's usual filthy state. A poem published in Punch magazine titled "Bake, bake, bake" humorously alludes to this dire situation: "And the swoln dead dogs go down through bridges past Tow'r Hill" cleverly playing on Tennyson's famous poem "Break, Break, Break". This print not only serves as an artistic representation but also offers insight into London's sanitation challenges during that era. It reminds us of how far we have come since then and highlights our ongoing efforts to improve public health and cleanliness within cities worldwide.
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