The Bread and Butter Manufactory, or the Humors of Bagnigge Wells

In this mezzotint groups of tea drinkers are shown in the Long Room at Bagnigge Wells House. Situated in St Pancras it was a popular place of entertainment for Londoners, particularly after the discovery in 1760 of two mineral springs in the garden. They were able, reputedly, to purge every known element, but Bagnigge Wells became better known as a place for tea drinking and eating cakes and buttered bread. This explains the pun in the title of the print, the humours or illnesses, which were to be cured by taking the water and the manufactory or taking of afternoon tea. The figures are fashionably dressed, some of them described as macaronis, namely figures who wore eccentric dress and outlandish wigs. The central prominent group comprises a courtesan with her companion who is shown encouraging a second admirer.

This version of the print was produced from an original drawing entitled Bagnigge Wells, Finsbury, London, on a Sunday evening. A second print was also produced in 1772 entitled Bagnigge Wells and is a larger print than this with more figures in it.