Attributed to J. Baber (19th Century)

The figure on the left in the foreground is wearing a coat emblazoned with the words 'Humane Society'. The society was founded in 1774 by William Hawes and Thomas Cogan, two eminent medical men who were interested in techniques of resuscitation. The society's employees, known as 'Icemen', were positioned in London parks throughout the winter to save skaters who fell through the ice.