Wife being sold at Smithfield Market, London Size:S: 60 x 45cm The River Thames is crowded

The River Thames is crowded with colourful barges and steamboats

The Blue Boar Inn

The alternative to this was to wear a mantle which was a looser garment and able to fit over the volumnious skirts that were so fashionable

The sleeves of the dresses are also quite voluminous

Charles Parnell and WH Smith at the chess board

Wife being sold at Smithfield Market, London Size:S: 60 x 45cm The River Thames is crowdedWife being sold at Smithfield Market, London, c1820. A rowdy scene at Smithfield cattle market with the wife for sale tied by a rope around her waist to a rail in the centre. She doesn't seem unduly concerned at the prospect of being sold and stands with her legs apart, hands on one hip. A man brandishing an ale mug dances beside her; the man on the right possibly her husband holds up one hand for attention. At left a chimney sweep empties soot on the