The prompts that accompanied these magic lantern slides borrow heavily from Lewis Carroll’s text, just as the slides closely echo Tenniel’s original designs
“No, indeed,” said Alice. “What sort of dance is it?” “Why,” said the Gryphon, “you first form into a line
along the sea shore.” “Two lines!” cried the Mock Turtle, “Seals, Turtles and so on, then, when you’ve
cleared the jelly-fish out of the way, you advance twice.” “Each with a Lobster as a partner,” cried the
Gryphon. “Of course,” the Mock Turtle said. “Advance twice, set to partners, change Lobsters, and retire
in same order,” continued the Gryphon. “Then, you know,” the Mock Turtle went on, “you throw the—“
“The Lobsters!” shouted the Gryphon, with a bound into the air—“as far out to sea as you can—“ “Swim
after them,” screamed the Gryphon. “Turn a somersault in the sea,” cried the Mock Turtle, capering
wildly about. “Change Lobsters again,” yelled the Gryphon. “Back to land again, and that’s all in the first
figure,” said the Mock Turtle. “Would you like to see a little of it?” “Very much, indeed.” said Alice. So
they began solemnly dancing round and round Alice, singing as they went, and waving their fore paws to
mark the time. Then they had more talk, and a song about “Turtle Soup,” which was interrupted by a cry
in the distance.
Image Caption:
W. Butcher & Sons
Alice in Wonderland
Magic lantern slides issued in the Primus junior lecturers' series, number 778d
London, 1905-1908
The Pierpont Morgan Library, New York. Gift of Arthur A. Houghton, Jr., 1987, PML 352354.1-7.
Photography by Graham S. Haber, 2015.