Humour social comment the ale house cartoon by Cruikshank - stock illustration

This is a cartoon etching by the well-known Victorian social caricaturist / cartoonist George Cruikshank (1792 - 1878), dated 1832. (The Ale House) is one of two panels that belong side-by-side, and this is number 1 of 2. Its companion is called (The Home) (see first picture link below). (1832 is actually in the reign of Queen Victoria's predecessor, William IV.) Amongst other things, Cruikshank provided book illustrations for Charles Dickens. (Title) The Ale House Most of the men are smoking pipes, and a smoky fug pervades the sketch. On the table is a jug of ale and a variety of drinking vessels, no two the same. On the wall are pictures of cock fighting and dog fighting, two activities that now are frowned upon (although even today, in the USA, it is reported that there are around 40,000 people professionally involved in such 'sport'). Overall, there is a bright atmosphere of drunken revelry, to contrast with the grim darkness of the companion sketch (The Home). Designed Etched & Published by George Cruikshank Septr. 1st 1832 More cartoons by George Cruikshank: .