"The Old World and the New" Harper's New Monthly Magazine.
Quite another idea of emigration is given in this picture first published in Harper's, in 1854. Emigration is shown as the means by which a ragged Irishman makes his fortune. This was an idea encouraged in Britain by the innumerable letters sent home by successful emigrants. But it was also advanced with a strictly business interest by shipping companies and colonial and American land agents. In fact this picture was used as an advertisement by a Boston company with the names of their ships inserted on the posters. For many the hope held out proved real; but there were also those who died en route, those who became destitute, or those who returned home disillusioned.
