book;
book-illustration;
print
- Museum number
- 1865,1111.1664-1676
- Description
-
Reid 4997. Illustrated book of 285 pages entitled: "The Greatest Plague of Life."
Lettered on the title-page:
"The greatest plague of life or The adventures of a lady in search of a good servant by one who has been worried to death." With a circular vignette illustration (1. Reid 2706.) which represents an imp dressed as a servant and blowing a fire to make the pot boil, from which issue, in a volume of steam and smoke, various domestic servants who are dancing. Lettered beneath the illustration: "Edited by the brothers Mayhew. Illustrated by George Cruikshank. London: David Bogue, 86, Fleet Street.", and on the final page, "T. C.Savill, Printer, 4, Chandos-street, Covent-garden."
With twelve etched illustration plates:
1.Reid 2403. A lady nearly driven frantic by imps of servants, who assemble in every place, and commit themselves in every way, from letting the baby fall to stealing the spoons.
2. Reid 2404. "Are you not Irish?" "Och, no ma'am, I'm Cornwell sure!" Nora Connor denying her nationality to obtain a situation.
3. Reid 2405. "The cat did it." A kitchen invaded by a body of cats, who demolish everything, from the leg of mutton to the windows.
4. Reid 2406. "Followers." A procession headed by a housemaid, who enters the villa holding her broom for a staff, followed by her father and mother and various friends and aquaintances so numerous that the "tail" is hardly perceptible in the distance.
5. Reid 2407. "It's my Cousin Ma'am!" Susan introducing Ned Twist the Life Guardsman to her mistress on rising from his supper of beef steak pie.
6. Reid 2408. "Going out for a holiday." Susan in flounces, a lace bonnet and Mrs Yapp's parasol, proceeding to meet her military lover, and conversing with the housemaid at the railings.
7. Reid 2409. "The Morning Gossip." The three housemaids enjoying scandal on the doorstep at the expense of their employers.
8. Reid 2410. "The Sentimental Novel Reader." Betsey discovered by her mistress weeping over "Outcast of an Ela" while the cat is "right in the frying pan."
9. Reid 2411. "Out for an airing." A scene in Regent's Park, where Sarah is so smitten by an admirer that she draws the empty child's carriage on its side and is unconscious that the child has been thrown out.
10. Reid 2412. "Oh Ah" Let 'em Ring Again!" Vittals the footman and Duffy the page lounging before the fire and refusing to answer the bell to which the housemaid humorously points.
11. Reid 2413. "Do you know as your Street Door is Open." The policeman turning his bull's eyes upon the lady's face as she looks between the curtains, while her husband holds the rushlight in one hand and an old militia sword in the other."
12. 2414. "Oh! Here's the Missus," Who rushes into the drawing room discomposing the party which was given by the servants in her absence; the footman, Mr Heddard, upsets the table endeavouring to hide.
Letterpress book with etched illustration plates and a glyphograph on the title-page
1847
- Production date
- 1847
- Dimensions
-
Height: 184 millimetres (approx. page height)
-
Width: 120 millimetres (approx. page width)
- Curator's comments
- Description from GW Reid, "A descriptive catalogue of the works of George Cruikshank." 1871.
For preparatory drawings, proofs and unmounted prints from this publication, seek:
1978,U.2859
1891,1117.1278
1978,U.2882
1891,1117.1279
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1865
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1865,1111.1664-1676