The Gin Shop 2

Abstract

Printed in the children’s magazine The Band of Hope Review over three monthly issues in 1868, George Cruikshank presents his cautionary tale as a parody of the rhyme ‘This is the House that Jack built.’ The Gin Shop is a good example of the ‘Road to Ruin’ pattern which ends happily, due to an intervention and the signing of a pledge.

The Gin-Shop.
With Twelve Original Illustrations by George Cruikshank

No. 5.
This is the lady, all jewels and lace,
The wife of the landlord who coins his bright gold,
Out of the ruin of youthful and old,
Who drink the strong liquors he sells night and day,
At the bar of the Gin-shop, so glittering and gay.

No. 6.
This is the drunkard, in rags and disgrace,
Who is served by the lady, all jewels and lace,
The wife of the landlord who coins his bright gold,
Out of the ruin of youthful and old,
Who drink the strong liquors he sells night and day,
At the bar of the Gin-shop, so glittering and gay.

No. 7.
This is the woman, with woebegone face,
The wife of the drunkard, in rags and disgrace,
Who is served by the lady, all jewels and lace,
The wife of the landlord who coins his bright gold,
Out of the ruin of youthful and old,
Who drink the strong liquors he sells night and day,
At the bar of the Gin-shop, so glittering and gay.

No. 8.
This is the pastor, so noble and kind,
Who pitied the woman, with woebegone face,
The wife of the drunkard, in rags and disgrace,
Who is served by the lady, all jewels and lace,
The wife of the landlord who coins his bright gold,
Out of the ruin of youthful and old,
Who drink the strong liquors he sells night and day,
At the bar of the Gin-shop, so glittering and gay.

The remaining four illustrations will be continued in our next number.