NOTES ON ISSUE 15: MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS

These illustrations, by John McLenan, are taken from the first American edition of A Tale of Two Cities – Peterson’s Uniform Edition of 1859. The cover illustration for this issue reproduces the frontispiece prepared by “Phiz” (Hablot K. Browne) for the last monthly number of the novel (A Tale of Two Cities was published simultaneously in a weekly and a monthly format). The inclusion of the frontispiece in the last of the monthly numbers encouraged readers to reflect on the novel at large, and anticipated the first English bound edition.  Illustrating a scene from the pre-revolutionary portion of A Tale of Two Cities, the frontispiece shows Doctor Manette, Mr. Lorry, Carton, Darnay and Lucie under the plane tree at the Manette residence in Soho Square.

“Charles Darnay in His Cell”

“Write Exactly as I Speak”

“Like the Soul of the Furious Woman Whose Body Lay Lifeless on the Ground”

“The Two Stand in the Fast-Thinning Throng of Victims”

“The Footsteps Die Out Forever”

“The Knitting Done”

The maps reproduced in this issue are taken from the Plan de la Ville de Paris, Période Révolutionnaire, 1790-1794. Prepared in 1887 at the direction of the Municipal Council of Paris, the Plan shows us the city as it appeared during the Revolution. It is reproduced here in detail for greater legibility and convenience of reference.