Gambols on the River Thames Feby. 1814

Cruikshank’s hand coloured etching caricatures the Frost Fair which took place for five days between 1-5 February 1814 on the River Thames between London and Blackfriars Bridge. Two tents on the left sell food and drink, one is placarded 'The Nelson', the other ‘Gin and Gingerbread sold here wholesale’ while a third on the right has a sign ‘The Shannon’. A game of skittles is taking place in the foreground, a lady falls down, a man gets his wooden leg stuck in the ice and a printer sells souvenirs on the left. Patriotism is signalled by the prominent Union Jacks and by the colours of red white and blue which feature prominently in the engraving. This was the time when Britain was on the verge of defeating Napoleon but the final battles had still to be fought. Britain could celebrate but was still on thin ice militarily until Napoleon abdicated in April 1814.