"Master Bulbo Transformed, in Chapter XVIII" —Richard Doyle's ninth illustration for W. M. Thackeray's "The Rose and The Ring" (1898)

Master Bulbo Transformed

Richard Doyle

1898

Wood-engraving

9.8 cm high x 4.8 cm wide (3 ¾ by 2 inches), vignetted

Ninth illustration for W. M. Thackeray's The Rose and The Ring (first published 1855): Chapter XVIII: "How They All Journeyed Back to the Capital," p. 332. Descriptive headline: "Bulbo Now Is Happy Quite" (332).

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Scanned image and text by Philip V. Allingham.

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Passage Illustrated: The Magic Ring Transforms Bulbo from Booby to Charming Being

"Hush! dear Giglio," says Rosalba. "You know Blackstick has been very kind to us, and we must not offend her.’ But the Fairy was not listening to Giglio’s testy observations, she had fallen back, and was trotting on her pony now, by Master Bulbo’s side, who rode a donkey, and made himself generally beloved in the army by his cheerfulness, kindness, and good-humour to everybody. He was eager to see his darling Angelica. He thought there never was such a charming being. [Chapter XVIII, "How They All Journeyed Back to the Capital," pp. 331-332]

Commentary

Doyle inserts his own illustration of Bulbo transformed into a slender, beautifully dressed eighteenth-century gentleman for Chapter XVIII to complement the nemesis which Thackeray visits upon Valoroso and Padella in King Valoroso and King Padella were obliged to become monks of the severest Order of Flagellants.

Related Illustrations by W. M. Thackeray (1855)

Bibliography

Thackeray, W. M. The Christmas Books of M. A. Titmarsh. With illustrations by Richard Doyle and Thackeray. London: Smith. Elder, 1898.

Created 14 August 2022