3-034-854 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Sacks of feathers were emptied upon them, then a sackful of live rats, succeeded by a dozen monkeys and some score of young serpents", 1871. Illustration to a short story, "The Coffee-Merchant - a new Arabian Nights' tale". '...the lamps began to get very dim, and a fine shower of rain softly poured down upon them from the galleries above, as if from concealed water-engines, if not by necromancy. At the same time horrible subterranean music was heard, with ringing yells; then the lamps nearly went out; while the rain fell faster, speedily followed by a report like thunder, which caused every door to close with a slam, as they all crowded together to make their way out. And now great sacks full of small feathers were emptied upon them, and very soon afterwards a sackful of live rats, succeeded by a dozen monkeys and some score of young serpents by way of a little variety. Then the narrowest of the doors was flung open, and out they all rushed into the narrowest of the passages leading into the street, accompanied and followed by all the rats, monkeys, and serpents, mad to regain their liberty'. From the Christmas supplement to "Illustrated London News", 1871.