History

This  scene depicts the departure for Scotland of a train from Paddington Station pulled by the engine Sultan. Frith has depicted himself, and his family, in the picture; they are to be seen in the foreground, slightly to the left, as they bid farewell to their son who clutches his cricket bat and prepares to return to school for the summer term. To their left a bride and groom prepare to head for Scotland on their honeymoon but not before the bridesmaids have wished them well. A not so salubrious scene is unravelling to the far right where a well-known criminal is apprehended by Haydon and Brett, two famous Scotland Yard detectives.
The original oil painting was purchased before it was finished and Frith was paid extra not to exhibit in in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. Instead it was exhibited in a single picture exhibition in London and 21,150 people paid admission to see it. There followed a demand for printed copies so Frith engaged the talents of Francis Hall to complete the etched plate.