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"The House on Fire on Christmas Eve", 1860. Creator: Joseph Swain. "The House on Fire on Christmas Eve", 1860. Creator: Joseph Swain
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"The House on Fire on Christmas Eve", 1860. Creator: Joseph Swain. "The House on Fire on Christmas Eve", 1860. Creator: Joseph Swain
"The House on Fire on Christmas Eve", 1860. You had better ride on, for you get nothing in my house, Mr. Twister!'. Illustration from a short story published in "Illustrated London News", 1860
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Media ID 36361208
© The Print Collector/Heritage Images
Cigar Cigars Communication Fiction Fictional Horseman Horsemen Hotel Joseph Swain Mail Post Post House Posthouse Posting House Public House Riders Short Story Swain Joseph Tavern Top Hat Top Hats Tophat White Hart Inn White Hart
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The House on Fire on Christmas Eve,
EDITORS COMMENTS
an evocative and intriguing 1860 engraving by English artist Joseph Swain, captures the essence of a pivotal moment in a short story published in the prestigious "Illustrated London News." The image, filled with drama and suspense, depicts a group of horsemen and a rider, clad in top hats and heavy winter coats, gathered before a burning inn, the White Hart, on a snowy Christmas Eve. The smoke billows from the windows and doors, casting an ominous shadow over the scene. One man, his face obscured by his hat brim, gestures emphatically towards the inn, warning the approaching rider, "You had better ride on, for you get nothing in my house, Mr. Twister!" The rider, dressed in the fashionable clothing of the time, hesitates, his cigar clenched between his teeth, as he considers the danger. The White Hart Inn, a common type of posting house or tavern, was a vital part of the communication network in 19th-century Britain. Travelers relied on these inns to rest, eat, and exchange news and mail. The burning inn in Swain's illustration adds a sense of urgency and danger to the scene, as the rider must decide whether to risk his safety and continue on his journey or turn back. Swain's masterful use of contrast between the dark, burning inn and the snowy landscape, as well as the dramatic poses and expressions of the figures, creates a compelling and memorable image that continues to captivate viewers over a century and a half after its creation. This engraving is not only a fascinating glimpse into the past but also a testament to Swain's artistic skill and the power of storytelling through visual art.
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