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The Silent Highway - Man, 1858
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The Silent Highway - Man, 1858
The Silent Highway - Man. 1858. Your MONEY or your LIFE!. The Thames in the summer of 1858 was in a dangerously filthy state. This cartoon shows Death rowing through the sluggish waters of the River Thames, with the usual complement of dead and swollen dogs floating by. The title refers to the fact that the river was so contaminated that it did not so much ebb and flow, as ooze. Such was the stench from the river that parliamentary proceedings were interrupted, and officials became ill. Disraeli issued a Bill on 15th July 1858 to implement a programme to cleanse the Thames. Through the murk can be seen London Bridge and the dome of St. Paul s. From Punch, or the London Charivari, July 10, 1858
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Media ID 14830454
© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images
Dead Disease Gloomy Heritage Image Partnership London Bridge Rowing Rowing Boat Sick Sickness Skeleton St Pauls Cathedral Allegorical Figure
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EDITORS COMMENTS
The Silent Highway - Man, 1858: A Grim Reminder of London's Filthy Past". This haunting print captures the grim reality of the River Thames in the summer of 1858. Titled "The Silent Highway - Man" it depicts an allegorical figure of Death rowing through the sluggish and contaminated waters, surrounded by dead and swollen dogs floating by. During this time, the stench emanating from the river was so overpowering that parliamentary proceedings were interrupted, and officials fell ill. The image serves as a powerful indictment of the dire state of public health in Victorian London. Through the murky scene, we catch a glimpse of London Bridge and St. Paul's Cathedral's dome, symbols of civilization marred by disease and decay. This engraving originally appeared in Punch magazine on July 10th, 1858. The cartoon served as a catalyst for change when Disraeli issued a Bill on July 15th to cleanse the Thames. It marked a turning point in addressing London's sanitation crisis known as "the Great Stink". This monochrome depiction not only highlights historical significance but also showcases how art can be used to shed light on societal issues. As we reflect upon this heritage image partnership with Unknown as its creator, let us remember how far we have come in improving public health standards while acknowledging that there is still work to be done.
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