The Comic Almanack: A Good Supply of Water - or John Bull inundated with the various schemes and streams of 'Water, Water, everywhere'

The Comic Almanack was published between 1835-1853 and had an illustration for each month. In this calendar format Cruikshank reflected contemporary street life.

In the earlier editions Cruikshank illustrated festivals and street fairs in a light hearted manner. By the 1840s the engravings had moved away from depictions of upbeat street life and occasions to scenes which showed the fragility of early Victorian existence. In 1852 the problems with London's water supply were endemic and Cruikshank depicts an exasperated John Bull figure being drenched by hosepipes from different schemes in the capital. One plan was to amalgamate all the water companies in London to make a constant supply of water under pressure available to all. Filtered and pure water from a new source in Farnham, Surrey, was to be piped to the capital. Private water company shareholders objected to the less profitable set-up and managed to throw out this scheme.

George Cruikshank was a prolific caricature artist (1792-1878) who illustrated many books with satirical engravings.