This is a political cartoon titled "Microcosm" dedicated to the London Water Companies, and subtitled "Monster Soup commonly called Thames Water, being a correct representation of that precious stuff doled out to us". The image depicts a woman, presumably a scientist, looking through a microscope at a large circular field filled with various microscopic creatures and debris. The woman is dressed in a blue gown with a green shawl and a large, elaborate red hairstyle. She has a shocked expression on her face as she peers into the microscope. The circular field within the microscope's view is densely packed with a variety of organisms and objects. There are numerous bacteria-like shapes, some resembling worms, others with flagella. A dead rat is prominently displayed within the circle, along with other unidentified creatures and debris. The overall impression is one of filth and contamination. The cartoon is a commentary on the poor quality of water supplied by the London Water Companies during the 19th century. The title "Microcosm" suggests that the microscopic world reveals the true nature of the water, which is a "monster soup" of contaminants. The shocked expression of the scientist emphasizes the disgust and alarm that the public should feel about the water they are being provided with.