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The London Bathing Season, filthy River Thames
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The London Bathing Season, filthy River Thames
The London Bathing Season cartoon. The figure of Father Thames, filthy and carrying a dead cat, a bent kettle, and other detritus from the river, beckons to a small boy on the quayside, " Come, my dear! - Come to its old Thames, and have a nice bath!" Date: 1859
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Media ID 14306457
© Mary Evans Picture Library
1850s 1859 Bath Bathing Dirty Filth Filthy Nice Nose Polluted Pollution Season Smelly Stink
EDITORS COMMENTS
The London Bathing Season: A Humorous Take on the Filthy River Thames in the 1850s This intriguing cartoon, titled "The London Bathing Season," depicts a scene from the 1850s along the polluted River Thames in London. The image presents Father Thames, a personification of the river, inviting a small boy to take a bath in the murky waters. The figure of Father Thames is portrayed as filthy and carrying various items of detritus, including a dead cat and a bent kettle, which he has fished out from the river. Despite the obvious filth and stench emanating from the river, Father Thames beckons to the boy with an inviting gesture and the words, "Come, my dear! - Come to its old Thames, and have a nice bath!" The boy, holding his nose in disgust, hesitates on the quayside, seemingly unsure of whether to obey the river god's call. This cartoon is a humorous commentary on the state of the River Thames during the 1850s, which was notorious for its pollution and filth. The Thames was used as a convenient dumping ground for waste from industries, households, and even sewage. Swimming in the river was not an option for most Londoners due to the health risks associated with the polluted water. The London Bathing Season is a fascinating snapshot of London's history and the challenges faced by its inhabitants during this period. The image offers a glimpse into the city's past and serves as a reminder of the importance of environmental stewardship and the need to protect our waterways from pollution and contamination.
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