Plate X1V, 'A Glut in the Market'. 6½ x 7½. Wood engraving by an unknown engraver. Lady Impulsia's encounter with the Egyptians, who, in the manner of uncivilized foreigners, act in inappropriate ways – this time offering their children for sale. The image is a typically ignorant and xenophobic reflection on the manner and customs of the non-British. The character's secure position as a British citizen is symbolized by her hat, which recalls Britannia's in conventional iconography. As so often in comic takes on tourism and foreign travel, the viewer is given the opportunity to laugh at foreigners – a patronising stance embodied in the racial stereotypes. [Click on image to enlarge it.]

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Scanned image and text by Simon Cooke. You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the person who scanned it and (2) link to this URL in a web document or cite it in a print one.

Bibliography

Lady Dufferin [Helen Blackwood.Lispings from Low Latitudes. London: Murray, 1863.


Created 12 May 2020