# XVIII explained — The Humbugs of the World

> Chapter companion for The Humbugs of the World by P. T. Barnum.

## What happens

This chapter exposes the widespread adulteration of food and drink, from bread and milk to tea, coffee, and spices, detailing harmful additives like alum, plaster of Paris, and red lead. It includes anecdotes about a colonel's whiskey scam and a deacon's hypocritical morning routine, and ends with a call for a 'Humbugometer' to detect fraud.

## Themes in this chapter

### Definition and Nature of Humbug

Adulteration of food and drink is presented as a pervasive humbug, with harmful additives and deceptive practices.

### Hypocrisy and Moral Judgment

The deacon who calls for prayers after ordering adulteration of goods exemplifies moral hypocrisy.

### Science, Medicine, and Quackery

Use of chemical adulterants like alum, red lead, and verdigris, and the suggestion of a lactometer or 'Humbugometer' to detect fraud.

## Character check-ins

### Old Colonel P.

Sold whiskey by sample from a pure barrel, then planned to 'rectify' it before delivery; was caught and forced to pay off the carman.

### Mr. Wakley

Of the London Lancet, employed an analyzer to expose food adulteration between 1851 and 1854, publishing names and facts without being sued.

## Key lines

> There is death in the pot!

A cry from ancient times echoed in 1820 by chemist Accum, warning of harmful adulterants in food and drink.

_Used to introduce the theme of food adulteration as a deadly humbug._

> John, have you watered the rum? ... Then come up to prayers.

A deacon's morning routine of ordering adulteration before leading family prayers, highlighting hypocrisy.

_Illustrates moral judgment and the pervasiveness of humbug even among the pious._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xviii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters