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The Great Lozenge-Maker. A Hint to Paterfamilias, 1858. Artist: John Leech
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The Great Lozenge-Maker. A Hint to Paterfamilias, 1858. Artist: John Leech
The Great Lozenge-Maker. A Hint to Paterfamilias, 1858. This cartoon indicts the sweet-making industry. At the time, many strange, and possibly noxious ingredients were used in sweets, with no requirement for their details to be given. However, this cartoon was specifically generated by an incident in Bradford in which some 18 people died, and more than 200 became ill, after buying sweets from a confectioner in the town. This confectioner managed to use 12 lbs of arsenic in a preparation of sweets, instead of gypsum. The skeleton is shown grinding energetically at a huge pestle, and is surrounded by barrels of poisonous ingredients. On the shelves are boxes labelled Mottoes and Bon Bons for Juvenile Parties showing that many of the sweets he is preparing will be sold for childrens consumption, thus the warning A Hint to Paterfamilias. The first part of the title, The Great Lozenge-Maker is a satirical reflection of the fact that lozenges are usually considered to be medicinal rather than deadly. From Punch, or the London Charivari, November 20, 1858
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Media ID 14829229
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Barrel Barrels Confectionery Heritage Image Partnership John Leech Leech Pestle And Mortar Poison Poisonous Skeleton Stirring Sweets Adulteration Arsenic Plaster Of Paris
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EDITORS COMMENTS
The Great Lozenge-Maker: A Chilling Reminder of the Dark Side of the Sweet-Making Industry In this thought-provoking print titled "The Great Lozenge-Maker. A Hint to Paterfamilias, 1858" artist John Leech sheds light on a disturbing incident that exposed the dangers lurking within the sweet-making industry during Victorian times. During an era when sweets were made with questionable and potentially harmful ingredients, this cartoon serves as a scathing indictment of the lack of transparency in confectionery production. The image is inspired by a tragic event in Bradford, where unsuspecting customers fell victim to tainted sweets. Shockingly, these innocent treats contained arsenic instead of harmless gypsum. The central figure in the print is a skeleton energetically grinding away at a colossal pestle amidst barrels filled with poisonous substances. Surrounding him are shelves adorned with boxes labeled "Mottoes and Bon Bons for Juvenile Parties" highlighting that these deadly concoctions were intended for children's consumption. "The Great Lozenge-Maker" cleverly plays on society's perception that lozenges are typically associated with medicinal purposes rather than being lethal. This satirical reflection emphasizes how easily one can be deceived by appearances alone. Through his artwork, Leech aims to serve as "A Hint to Paterfamilias" urging fathers and heads of households to exercise caution and vigilance when it comes to their family's well-being. This cautionary tale reminds us all about the importance of knowing what goes into our food and demanding greater accountability from those who produce it. This powerful visual commentary from Punch magazine serves as an enduring reminder that even seemingly harmless indulgences can have dire consequences if we turn a blind eye to their origins.
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