The Pleasures & Miseries Of London
Written anonymously and published in 1820, The Tour of Dr Syntax Through the Pleasures & Miseries of London was one of a popular series of comedies featuring the idiosyncratic Dr Syntax, a character originated by William Coombe and drawn by Thomas Rowlandson. These plates are believed to be the work of Robert Cruikshank, father of George Cruikshank.
Dr Syntax & his Spouse plan their trip to London
Setting out for London
Arriving in London
Robbed in St Giles High St
A Promenade in Hyde Park
A Flutter at a Gaming House
At an Exhibition at the Royal Academy
At a Masquerade
In St Paul’s Churchyard on a Wet & Windy Day
Inspecting the Bank of England
Presented to the King at Court
A Night at Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens
A Visit to the House of Commons
A Trip behind the Scenes at the Opera
A Lecture at the London Institution
Going to Richmond on a Steam Boat
Reading his Play in the Green Room
Overshoots London Bridge & pops overboard into the Thames
Images courtesy of Bishopsgate Institute
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What fun!
That’s a very modern looking building they arrive to.
And noticed many green umbrellas.
Ideas for an updated version?
A wet and windy day in the slipstream of the Shard
A flutter at Paddy Power
Scrolling through Celeb on Buzzfeed
Pellicci’s is closed and has to go to Pret A Manger
Greetings from Boston,
What a fun collection! I particularly enjoyed “Inspecting the Bank of England.” Their museum is one of my favorite spots in London – contains dozens of illustrations by James Gillray, a predecessor of Cruikshank’s in artistic satire.
Wow, the Bishopgate Institute really preserves so many treasures. Thanks for sharing…
Delightful meander through Georgian London with a pair of country cousins.
The colors are from a box of Crayolas, so bright and unambiguous.
Love the ‘Stretch Armstrong’ flexibility of the people.
What a hilarious group of pictures to start my Caturday.
Marnie Sweet
Akron, OH
Love the “mansplaining” going on at the Royal Academy!