Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Light, Technology, Charlatanry, Superstition, Progress, Commerce, Chemistry

    Under the subtitle 'Cant in 1809', attacks the 'ridiculous project' for illuminating London streets with 'what is affectedly called "Gas"', and the support that the project has commanded among Englishmen. Resists the proposal to make John Bull pay for illumination by 'an invisible something (or nothing)', which is likely to be poisonous and spread disease, and to cause explosions. Claims that the use of gas will damage the trade of oil merchants and will force 'gas associations' to invade the 'Englishman's house'. (1)

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Mathematics

People mentioned:

Euclid Euclid (fl. 295 BC) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Regular Feature, Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Pollution, Public Health, Sanitation, Politics, Government

    Reports on the alarming stench caused by 'that old offender, Father Thames', and on the roles played by the Metropolitan Board of Works Metropolitan Board of Works
Close   View the register entry >>, dock and gas companies, and the Chief Commissioner of Works. Adds that while 'remedial measures' were desired by both Houses of Parliament Houses of Parliament
Close   View the register entry >>, 'nothing was done', and that Goldsworthy Gurney Gurney, Sir Goldsworthy (1793–1875) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> should no longer be responsible for the health of Members of Parliament, 'as his reservoir of air in the Star Chamber Court was now poisoned'.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Representation, Pollution, Public Health, Disease, Analytical Chemistry, Microscopy

    Describes a picture of the Thames to be painted by Edward W Cooke Cooke, Edward William (1811–80) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>. Notes that in representing the river 'as faithfully as possible', 'chemical analysis' had revealed that Thames water was in fact 'an artificial compound of pestiferous ingredients'. The picture is also to include the pollution produced by factories.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

[John Leech] Leech, John (1817–64) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Pollution, Public Health, Disease

    Subtitled '(A Design for a Fresco in the New House of Parliament)', shows a bank of the Thames with factories in the background. On the left, the allegorical figure of London looks on with some consternation as four figures emerge from the river: a disgusting-looking 'Father Thames', and gruesome figures representing 'Diphtheria', 'Scrofula', and 'Cholera'.

Genre:

Reportage

Subjects:

Public Health, Charlatanry, Commerce

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Pollution, Disease, Government

    Based on a poem by Alfred Tennyson Tennyson, Alfred, 1st Baron Tennyson (1809–92) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, considers the heating of the Thames on its way to the sea and wishes that its stink would poison 'A Bishop, Peer, or M.P.' Expresses good wishes to those boys who play and swim in the river and considers the 'touch of a despot's hand / To the works of a Board [Metropolitan Board of Works Metropolitan Board of Works
Close   View the register entry >>] that is nil'. Ends by asserting that he will never be struck dead by the 'appetite' of the river's stink.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Quackery

    Argues that the need for medical reform is illustrated by dubiously worded handbills from three medical practitioners: Dr Boden Boden, Dr (Physician) (fl. 1858) PU1/35/1/7
Close   View the register entry >>, who offers a machine for curing deafness, Drs Phillips (father and son) Phillips, Dr (Surgeon) (fl. 1858) PU1/35/1/7
Close   View the register entry >>, who puff their 'miraculous' 'PHYSIOPATIC or NATURAL system of medicine', and James Greer Greer, James (purveyor of vegetable pills, of Glasgow) (fl. 1858–59) PU1/35/1/7, PU1/36/12/4
Close   View the register entry >>, who advertises his 'Genuine Hygeian Vegetable Pills'. Goes on to extract from and analyse Greer's advertisement, which calls for legislation to make his Scottish Hygeian Institution Scottish Hygeian Institution, Glasgow
Close   View the register entry >> the equal of other medical colleges, and argues that God can 'work miracles by [the apparently humble] Dr. Greer' much as He 'wrought superhuman miracles by illiterate men'. Punch concludes by pointing out that the claims made in all these advertisements 'may be denied' and regarded as 'impudent lies', and calls on William F Cowper Cowper, William Francis, 1st Baron Mount-Temple (1811–88) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> and other 'framers of medical bills' to be cautious in withdrawing the British public's protection from quackery.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Pollution, Sanitation, Public Health

    Argues that humans should be able to tolerate the Thames if fish can live in it, and attacks the plan of Joseph Paxton Paxton, Sir Joseph (1803–65) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> to deodorize the sewers with lime on the grounds that whitebait would be killed. Concludes by calling for 'no more abuse of the gentle River'.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Pollution, Public Health, Disease, Medical Treatment, Government

    Describes a rumoured government 'Smelling Expedition' to gauge the quality of the Thames, an expedition which consisted of politicians who had written their wills. They were allegedly accompanied by surgeons and 'every medical appliance to relieve them' of the effects of the stench. Speculates on ways of honouring such 'brave smellers'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Botany, Imperialism

    Describes the announcement at the Bombay Geographical Society Bombay Geographical Society
Close   View the register entry >> of a 'specimen of the Walking-leaf from Java'. Considers that the species was originally in France and 'took French leaf, and walked off', and that 'cutting one's stick' derives from the properties of the leaf—viz. that it '"cuts its stick" and walks away'.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Pollution, Public Health, Sanitation, Government

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Representation, Gender

    Notes that the 'MASTERMAN Testimonial' includes three female figures representing science, commerce, and industry, but explains why science should be represented as a man.

Genre:

Illustration

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

[John Leech] Leech, John (1817–64) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Disease, Pollution

    Subtitled 'Your MONEY or your LIFE!', shows a cloaked skeleton, the allegorical figure of death, rowing on a filthy river Thames.

Genre:

Reminiscences, Spoof

Subjects:

Pollution, Public Health, Sanitation, Government, Politics, Futurism

    The reminiscences of an old parliamentarian evidently written late in the nineteenth century. He describes the 'mighty, deadly, subtle, and irresistible' enemy of the Thames that had been 'increasing upon us for years' and which Members of Parliament Houses of Parliament
Close   View the register entry >> kept trying to 'do something' about. Describes some of the measures taken to disinfect and deodorize the building, but these had little effect on the 'subtle poison'. (18) Proceeds to describe the 1889 session, when the Thames stench had become so bad that politicians were leaving in droves for healthier climes, eventually forcing Parliament to close.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Pollution, Public Health, Disease, Sanitation

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Technology, Accidents

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Quackery, Medical Practitioners, Periodicals, Pharmaceuticals

    Criticises a morning newspaper for upholding the value of Thomas Holloway's Holloway, Thomas (1800–83) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> pill, a position which might induce a 'fool' to take the pills. Proceeds to another extract in which Holloway's pills are praised as 'miracle-working', but which Punch thinks contains 'not one word of truth'. Doubts whether the newspaper could know that the pills have the curative effects that they claim, and berates 'that portion of the press' that publishes testimonials in support of Holloway's pills.

Genre:

Illustration

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Pollution, Sanitation

    Shows an aged Father Thames reclining on a pipe which channels water into a river. Standing near Father Thames is a man who holds his nose with one hand and a brush dripping with lime in the other. In the background stands Mr Punch.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Meteorology, Nutrition

    Reports on the consequences of a shower of toads which fell on Manchester during a thunderstorm.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Narcotics, Pharmaceuticals, Government, Politics

    Reports on the opposition of chemists and druggists to the 'Sale of Poisons Bill', and the discussion following the complaint of William S Best (2nd Baron Wynford) Best, William Samuel, 2nd Baron Wynford (1798–1869) Cokayne 1910–59
Close   View the register entry >> that the public health bill 'gave no remedy against the Manufacturers who carry on their filthy and noxious trades' on the south bank of the Thames (42).

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Disease, Pollution, Manufactories, Government, Politics

    On their journey to their 'annual white-bait lark', the cabinet meet the 'grisly form' of Father Thames who is covered with slime and whose mouth pours 'fetid stench and sulphurous flames'. He points out that Father Thames has accelerated other parliamentary legislation but complains that statesmen have given him up, thus forcing the poison from the Metropolitan Board of Works Metropolitan Board of Works
Close   View the register entry >> to flow in his veins.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Pollution, Sanitation, Chemistry, Agriculture, Scientific Practitioners

    Tells Michael Faraday Faraday, Michael (1791–1867) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, 'of Chemists first', of the desperate need to cleanse the Thames and asks whether chemistry can help. Suggests that the slush be used as manure and in the manufacture of 'Sweet essences', but stresses that it simply wants a river that is clean rather than sweet. Adds that the Thames might provide a local source for guano and therefore for fertiliser. Concludes by drawing attention to the shortcomings of conventional means of cleansing rivers and so asks Faraday to 'Do what thou can'st, if science can'.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Nutrition, Military Technology, Invention

    Discusses Alexis B Soyer's Soyer, Alexis Benoît (1810–58) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> invention of a device for enabling soldiers to prepare finely-cooked meats and vegetables, an invention that Punch thinks will strengthen the insides of the British soldier and thus give him 'a stomach for the fight'

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Botany, Politics, Government

    Attacks a comparison between on the one hand, the behaviour of the plants of Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew
Close   View the register entry >>, and of the animals in the Zoological Society Gardens Zoological Society of London —Gardens
Close   View the register entry >>, and on the other, and the behaviour members of Parliament Houses of Parliament
Close   View the register entry >>. Punch considers plants and animals much less unruly than statesmen.

Genre:

Proceedings, Spoof

Subjects:

Quackery, Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Government, Homeopathy

    Proceedings of a meeting of the fictional 'Charlatan's Institution' to discuss ways of opposing the new medical bill. The chairman draws attention to the clause in the bill which penalises those who falsely claim to be medical practitioners, a claim which meets with general disapproval. Proceeds to describe the more articulate responses. These include Dr Billwall, who denies the possibility of proving that somebody is a doctor and asks for the Act to be 'dashed', Mr Corners, who rejects any legislation that would interfere with his 'bills—either those which they stuck up or those which they stuck in', and the inarticulate Dr Jones, who praises Robert Grosvenor (1st Baron Ebury) Grosvenor, Lord Robert, 1st Baron Ebury (1801–93) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> for allowing them to 'take whatever name or title they chose'. In conclusion, members of the meeting resolve to complement Ebury with a box of 'homeopathic globules'.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Government, Politics

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Progress, Internationalism, Monstrosities

Institutions mentioned:

Atlantic Telegraph Company Atlantic Telegraph Company
Close   View the register entry >>

    Argues that the recently laid Atlantic telegraph supports the well-known claim that 'JONATHAN was descended in a straight line from JOHN'. Adds that the channel of communication will help 'keep the members of a great family constantly alive in each other's affections'. Observes that the shipping firms of Mr Collins Collins, Mr (fl. 1858) PU1/35/7/2
Close   View the register entry >> and Samuel Cunard Cunard, Sir Samuel (1787–1865) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> were considered too slow for sending messages. Believes that now the 'Union is again restored' and Britain and America now have family ties, but hopes the sea serpent does not 'snap those ties asunder'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Mathematics, Politics, Charlatanry

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, War

Genre:

Serial, Novel, Spoof

Subjects:

Aeronautics, Amusement

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Pollution, Agriculture, Commerce, Nutrition, Engineering, Public Health

    Asks 'sewage' why it pollutes rain and urges it to take its rainfall to the river and its sewage to the soil. Explains that by channelling its 'daily sewage' in 'modest tubes' rather than 'monstrous tunnels' to meadows it will purify 'Your rain-brooks', feed cows, fertilise soil, and make profit for farmers. Stressing the amount of dairy produce that could be made from this use of sewage, considers it a waste to throw 'A thousand pounds a day' into 'the German Sea'. The key focus of the poem, however, is an attack on Joseph W Bazalgette Bazalgette, Sir Joseph William (1819–91) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> and his Metropolitan Board of Works Metropolitan Board of Works
Close   View the register entry >> for building expensive sewage tunnels that will overflow on 'rainy days', and lose valuable sewage and leave rivers 'stinking'. Calls on rate-payers to cry 'SEWAGE TO SOIL AND RAIN TO RIVER' and to demand 'Pipes and profit'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Mental Illness, Meteorology, Superstition, Natural Law, Supernaturalism, Spiritualism, Belief, Photography, Lecturing

    Responds to news of a man who ejected a needle from his body (without having known how it got there). Expects to hear news of somebody who 'had been throwing crooked pins off his stomach without being aware of ever having bolted them', and suggests that the man may have taken the needle inside him during a fit of 'temporary insanity'. Focusing on the story of a shower of toads, suggests that it might rain cats and dogs too, and that the toads 'are real wonders that cannot be satisfactorily accounted for on natural principles like photographs and electrotypes and electric telegrams'. Adds that such stories are 'calculated to nourish a pleasing thought that the supernatural is not all humbug' and to 'encourage the expectation that we shall one day have a genuine ghost appearing regularly in public at certain times, and perhaps delivering lectures on spiritualism at a scientific institution'. Concludes by noting that this would 'dumfound the intelligence of the nineteenth century', although it 'may have much the same reason for disbelieving in ghosts as the intelligence of other centuries had for believing in them'.

Genre:

Song, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Technology, Engineering, Internationalism, Commerce, Political Economy, War, Religious Authority, Cultural Geography, Progress, Publishing

Institutions mentioned:

Atlantic Telegraph Company Atlantic Telegraph Company
Close   View the register entry >>

    An adaptation of 'Yankee Doodle Dandy', this song celebrates the connection between Britain and America by the Atlantic telegraph cable. Notes that the 'mighty job' was accomplished 'In spite of wind and weather' and has produced a cable from which 'the cause of Freedom gains'. Affirms that 'In firm amalgamation' with 'brother JONATHAN [...] we Anglo-Saxons can [...] whip creation' and better fight 'the Soldier and the Priest'. Adds that by combining forces, the nations can 'preserve from fetters. / A no small some [sic] of human mind, / In science and letters'. Expects the advancement of a 'Free Press' in both countries and that the cable will quickly resolve 'broken peace' and enable trade in 'corn and cotton'. Concludes by reiterating the power of the telegraph to make Britain and America 'Siamese Twins' and to 'Drive all tyrants frantic'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Technology, Engineering, Internationalism, Cultural Geography, Domestic Economy

Institutions mentioned:

Atlantic Telegraph Company Atlantic Telegraph Company
Close   View the register entry >>

    Likens the Atlantic telegraph cable to a 'wedding-ring' joining Britain and America, a union that has 'long been ardently desired'. Playing on the analogy between telegraphic and marital connection, notes 'many and great obstacles' that 'had to be surmounted', that 'the course of love as usual did not run quite smoothly' and that 'it long seemed doubtful if the splice could be effected'. However, believes that the union has now been 'successfully accomplished' and goes on to describe the six-day ceremony in celebration of this engineering feat. Concludes by noting that Britain and America 'have both henceforward unity of interest, and must go hand in hand in all they undertake'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Pollution, Public Health, Education, Schools

    Discusses the proposal to move Christ's Hospital Christ's Hospital
Close   View the register entry >> to the countryside owing to the effects of 'sulphuretted hydrogen' in Newgate Street. Later notes claims that the health of boys at the school is 'remarkably good', which suggests that its sanitary condition 'has much improved' since the days when it was notorious for ringworm and other disorders.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Steamships, Accidents

Institutions mentioned:

SS Leviathan SS Leviathan
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners

    Reports on the dwindling employment opportunities for medical practitioners caused by the 'continued fine weather'. Claims that doctors will sing in the streets of their lack of work and wonders how they will find the two guineas which the medical act requires them to pay for compulsory registration.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Pollution, Agriculture, Public Health, Disease

    Imagines 'MECHI' (a reference to John J Mechi Mechi, John Joseph (1802–80) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>), who stands 'upon a turbid river's bank', lamenting the fact that the 'phosphates' in the river are 'going to the sea' instead of being use to fertilise soil and thus to make 'riches'. Mechi thinks that ammonia is the 'sweetest [...] of all things flowing here' and instead of 'flying off to scent the thankless air', would like to see it 'to a proper acid wed' and 'then my fallow fields should form thy bridal bed'. Points out that 'mother Earth', which gave birth to the chemicals, will be left 'barren', and that 'while we had cesspools, we had you, we had manure'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Telegraphy

    'The projected telegraph line from Alderney to Cowes'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Heroism

Institutions mentioned:

Atlantic Telegraph Company Atlantic Telegraph Company
Close   View the register entry >>

    Puns that a peerage should be given to 'ALDERMAN WIRE' (a reference to London alderman David W Wire Wire, David Williams (1801–60) WBI
Close   View the register entry >>) as the 'fittest memorial' to the laying of the Atlantic telegraph.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

J L, pseud.  [John Leech] Leech, John (1817–64) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Collecting, Botany, Natural History

    Depicts several men and women, facing away from the viewer, who are bending down on a beach in search of marine specimens. The consequence of their pose is that from distance, the bent figures resemble the objects they seek—shells.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

J L, pseud.  [John Leech] Leech, John (1817–64) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Internationalism, Politics

Institutions mentioned:

Atlantic Telegraph Company Atlantic Telegraph Company
Close   View the register entry >>

    In the foreground John Bull is seen on a cliff, holding one end of the Atlantic telegraph, lengths of which coil around his body. The other end of the cable is being held on the distant American cliff by Jonathan, the personification of the United States of America. In holding each end of the wire, John Bull and Jonathan manage to sink a vessel containing a classical god of the sea (probably Poseidon). John Bull tells Jonathan to 'Hold fast' to which Jonathan agrees. The caption refers to the belief that the telegraph will destroy tyranny and despotism (see, for example, Anon, 'The Anglo-Saxon Twins: Connected by the Atlantic Telegraph', Punch, 35 (1858), 72).

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Mental Illness, Psychology, Hospitals, Medical Treatment

    Discusses a report of a ball for inmates at David Skae's Skae, David (1814–73) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> lunatic asylum, near Edinburgh (a reference to the Royal Edinburgh Asylum Royal Edinburgh Asylum
Close   View the register entry >>). Draws attention to the claim that the inmates danced with 'peculiar propriety, decorum, and grace', but argues that this is not 'wonderful', since 'Dancing is the natural expression of at least certain forms of insanity'. Gives examples of animals and humans who dance during states of delirium. Referring to a book which proposed to treat the insane by inducing them to make sketches while their hands were being guided by spirits, suggests that the insane should dance so that 'insanity may run out at the tips of their toes'. Recommends using dancing as 'the main treatment' in lunatic asylums.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Agriculture, Nutrition

    Discusses Jean L A de Quatrefages de Bréau's Quatrefages de Bréau, Jean-Louis-Armand de (1810–92) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> report to the Académie des Sciences, Paris Académie des Sciences, Paris
Close   View the register entry >>, which claims that the silkworm disease can be cured by treating mulberry leaves with sugar.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Surgery, Accidents, Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Expertise

    Shows a young dentist, whose medical diploma prominently adorns his surgery wall, approaching a patient from whom he has just removed a tooth. The dentist points out that he 'must have made some mistake: there's nothing the matter with this tooth. Never mind, try again!'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Steamships, Pollution, Sanitation, Public Health, Commerce, Agriculture, Controversy

    Suggests that the SS Leviathan SS Leviathan
Close   View the register entry >> be 'maintained as a kind of sewer-vessel, for the purification of the Metropolis'. Recommends that on filling the vessel, it should then dump its contents in the 'middle of the ocean', and then return to be filled again. Believes this plan will help the ship out of its precarious financial situation and 'effectually sink all the disputes now raging as to the best system of drainage'. Adds that means might be found for turning the rich sewage into 'profitable account for agricultural purposes'.

Genre:

Introduction, Drollery; Proceedings, Spoof

Subjects:

Pollution, Sanitation, Government

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Nutrition, Health, Crime, Commerce

    Discusses a report of a legal case in which a medical witness argued that a man had died owing to inadequate intake of animal food, and in which the Chief Baron of the Exchequer, Jonathan F Pollock Pollock, Sir Jonathan Frederick, 1st Baronet (1783–1870) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, suggested that the vegetarian diet of policy holders should be taken into account by insurance firms. Thinks the judge's remarks are a salutary warning to those 'deluded and infatuated' vegetarians who 'bring themselves to untimely graves', but points out that most judges are far from being vegetarians.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

C K, pseud.  [Charles S Keene] Keene, Charles Samuel (1823–91) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Amateurism, Natural History, Hunting

    Shows two fisherman, here represented as 'First Tourist (Zoological)' and 'Second Tourist (Piscatorial)', meeting in a room containing a stuffed fish. The 'First Tourist' describes to the 'Second Tourist', in formal natural historical terms, which marine specimens he has found in the district, whilst the 'Second Tourist' simply wants to know 'What bait did you use, now?'.

Genre:

Extract, Spoof

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Technology, Engineers

    An extract from the Morning Advertiser Morning Advertiser (1792–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> which denies reports that a submarine telegraph is to be laid between the Exeter 'Change Arcade Exeter Exchange—Arcade
Close   View the register entry >> and the Thames Tunnel Thames Tunnel
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Technology, Gender

Institutions mentioned:

Atlantic Telegraph Company Atlantic Telegraph Company
Close   View the register entry >>

    Noting that the Atlantic telegraph cannot transmit more than 'five words a minute', suggests that ladies should 'imitate this great economy in verbal expenditure' because gentlemen would thereby pay more attention to them and their words would, 'as in the case of the Atlantic telegraph[,...] go a great deal further'.

Genre:

Announcement, Spoof

Subjects:

Mesmerism, Prognostication, Railways

Institutions mentioned:

Zoological Society—Gardens Zoological Society of London —Gardens
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Song, Drollery

Subjects:

Mathematics, Education

    Explains a geometrical proposition to his bride, which concludes with him noting that 'Equal angles, so to term them, / Each one opposite its brother! / Equal joys and equal sorrows, / Equal hopes, 'twere sin to smother. / Equal—oh divine extatics— / Based on HUTTON's mathematics!' The last is a reference to Hutton 1798 Hutton, Charles 1798. A Course of Mathematics in Two Volumes: Composed, and More Especially Designed, for the Use of Gentlemen Cadets at the Royal Military School, Woolwich, 2 vols, London: G. G. and J. Robinson
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Language, Race, Morality

Institutions mentioned:

Atlantic Telegraph Company Atlantic Telegraph Company
Close   View the register entry >>

    Discusses the grammatical infelicities in a message sent by the Atlantic telegraph. Considers the 'frequent omission of verbs, prepositions, articles, and pronouns' to be 'as remarkable as it is cheering', and to indicate that the author is black. Believes the employment of a black man on the Atlantic telegraph 'will afford a practical proof of the essential humanity of the African race' and of the American's recognition of their duty towards them.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Mental Illness, Religion

    Noting the public attention 'towards the subject of insanity', discusses a Neue Preussische Zeitung Neue Preussische Zeitung (Kreuz Zeitung) (1848–1900+) COPAC
Close   View the register entry >> report of the 'violent and frantic language' of some Jesuit missionaries, language which Punch thinks medical men would ascribe to mental illness. Expresses concern that the behaviour has reportedly spread to the local parish priest.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Internationalism, Monstrosities, War

    Recommends that the Atlantic Telegraph Company Atlantic Telegraph Company
Close   View the register entry >> connect Britain and American with two or three cables, because the sea serpent could snap the existing one. Draws attention to the fact that any nation waging war on either Britain or America would, owing to the telegraph, face the other country. Thinks the telegraph can 'keep the peace'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoology, Monstrosities, Taxonomy, Animal Behaviour

    Discusses a report in the Banffshire Journal Banffshire Journal (1845–1900+) COPAC
Close   View the register entry >> describing an attack on a boy by an animal that appeared to be a cross between a polecat and a domestic cat—a species that Punch thinks is a zoological impossibility.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Internationalism, Sound, Human Species

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Engineering, Transport

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Navigation, Magnetism, Race

    Suggests that a Scotsman is like a compass needle in that he is an 'infallible' point to steer by and always 'goes South' as much as the needle 'goes North'. Observes: 'He is the magnetic attraction reversed'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy

Institutions mentioned:

Atlantic Telegraph Company Atlantic Telegraph Company
Close   View the register entry >>

    Discusses news that a message was sent from China to Russia faster than the telegraph, a feat accomplished by 'the celebrated Courier of St. Petersburg'.

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Mental Illness, Steamships

Institutions mentioned:

Atlantic Telegraph Company Atlantic Telegraph Company
Close   View the register entry >>

    Describes the celebrations held in honour of the 'triumph of the telegraph'. Reports on the large number of cases of lunacy amongst even the 'wisest men in England'. The celebrations include hoisting the SS Leviathan SS Leviathan
Close   View the register entry >> to the top of Primrose Hill where it was exploded 'at an altitude of fifteen thousand fathoms', and illuminating the country with special arrangements of gas lamps. (110)

Genre:

Introduction, Drollery; Announcement, Spoof

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Heroism, Cultural Geography, Commerce, Race, Cruelty

Institutions mentioned:

Atlantic Telegraph Company Atlantic Telegraph Company
Close   View the register entry >>

    Owing to the variation of clocks, introduces speeches made in 'honour of the laying of the Atlantic cable' to be held next week in New York. The speeches illustrate the small financial contribution of the British to the cable enterprise, uphold Benjamin Franklin Franklin, Benjamin (1706–90) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> and Cyrus W Field Field, Cyrus West (1819–92) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>, but also praise 'the Almighty dollar, and its kindred rights of free expectoration, annexation, and wopping your own nigger'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Surgery, Animal Behaviour, Astronomy

People mentioned:

George B Airy Airy, Sir George Biddell (1801–92) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Advertisement, Spoof

Subjects:

Mental Illness, Medical Practitioners, Commerce

    A spoof advertisement from a recently-qualified medical student who offers to certify as insane 'anybody, who may be troublesome, or sadly in the way'. Notes that his fees vary 'according to the wealth and respectability of the party he is called upon to pronounce insane'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Mental Illness, Medical Practitioners, Domestic Economy

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Religious Authority, Progress, Heroism

Institutions mentioned:

Atlantic Telegraph Company Atlantic Telegraph Company
Close   View the register entry >>

    A poem discussing a dispute between the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Archibald W Montgomerie (13th Earl of Eglinton) Montgomerie, Archibald William, 13th Earl of Eglington and 1st Earl of Winton (1812–61) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, and the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, Nicholas P S Wiseman Wiseman, Nicholas Patrick Stephen (1802–65) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, who was on a visit to Ireland. Portrays Eglinton commenting on the 'Cable across the sea'—an 'electric rod' of which 'One end astounds the Irish herring, / And one the Newfoundland cod'. The Lord Mayor of Dublin toasts the success of the telegraph and expects that 'the great L. L. [Lord Lieutenant] shall lay the sword / On the shoulder of Charles S. Bright' (i.e. Charles T Bright Bright, Sir Charles Tilston (1832–88) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>). (116)

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Sanitation, Pollution, Public Health, Medical Treatment, Hydropathy, Engineering

    Argues that introducing public fountains into London would have the 'greatest moral and sanitary benefits', not least in helping Father Thames 'lead a pure and unpolluted life'. Also recommends the 'hydropathic cure' for Father Thames, which would involve removing his mud, letting him lie on 'one of DR. ARNOTT's Arnott, Neil (1788–1874) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> hydraulic couches', and other applications of water.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Religious Authority, Vaccination

    Following news of the 'Roman Inquisition' kidnapping a Jewish child and reinstating his Christian faith (for he was originally baptised), distinguishes between vaccination and baptism in that 'Catholicism is not communicable in the same way as cowpox'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy

    Describes the public excitement about the comet whose discovery was attributed to Giovan B Donati Donati, Giovan Battista (1826–73) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Introduction, Drollery; Address, Spoof

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Engineers, Heroism, Commerce, Internationalism, Ancient Authorities

Institutions mentioned:

Atlantic Telegraph Company Atlantic Telegraph Company
Close   View the register entry >>

    Introduces some effusions from governors of various American states 'in honour of the Atlantic Cable'. These effusions uphold Cyrus W Field Field, Cyrus West (1819–92) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> as an heroic figure in the enterprise and the Atlantic cable as an unprecedented accomplishment, and an invention that has harnessed natural forces, defied the ocean, and bound the Old and New worlds together.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Hygiene, Health, Gender, Domestic Economy

    Following the publication of Powers 1859 Powers, Susan Rugeley [1859]. Why do not Women Swim? A Voice from Many Waters, London: [n. pub.]
Close   View the register entry >> by the Ladies' National Association for the Diffusion of Hygienic Knowledge Ladies' National Association for the Diffusion of Hygienic Knowledge
Close   View the register entry >>, expresses delight at the existence of the organization and hopes it will campaign effectively to reduce tight-lacing and other unhealthy customs practised by women in the home.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Accidents, Electricity

Institutions mentioned:

Atlantic Telegraph Company Atlantic Telegraph Company
Close   View the register entry >>

    In response to news of the failure of the Atlantic telegraph to transmit messages, reassures readers that the telegraph's power of speech has not gone and, according to 'eminent physicians in electricity', that this deficiency is 'only a case of suspended animation'. Adds that 'the patient' is 'fast mending' and will soon be able to enable the Old and New worlds to communicate.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy

    'The Comet rejoices in a tail, which, strangely enough, has been denied to the Dog-star'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Disease, Nutrition, Domestic Economy

    Notes that the dining-book of the Wellington Club Wellington Club
Close   View the register entry >> states that 'all orders for dinners, complaints, &c., &c., are to be addressed' to the superintendent, Mr Thyer. Punch drolly suggests that Thyer is in the business of supplying medical complaints. Suggests there are 'many bad debts' connected with his establishment because 'the recovery of the debt would, in malignant attacks, be more than doubtful if it depended upon that of the patient'. Advises Thyer to bring his menu 'a little more cheerfully into the character of the Bill of Health' and to stop his 'complaints' following too closely on the 'dinners'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Commerce, Environmentalism

    Discusses the proposal to build a railway across the Isle of Wight, an island known for its gardens.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Psychology, Phrenology, Language

People mentioned:

Johann C Spurzheim Spurzheim, Johann Christoph (1776–1832) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Obituary, Spoof

Subjects:

Disease, Medical Treatment

    Describes the 'attacks' which ultimately killed 'JOHN COMPANY, E.I.S.', a reference to the demise of the East India Company East India Company
Close   View the register entry >> as a consequence of the India Act of 1858. Suggests that the deceased died of advanced age, an 'imprudent' life, and moreover, 'intestinal attacks'. Adds that 'an attack of inflammation (Inflammatio Populi) made terribly short work of him'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Cosmology, Analogy, Supernaturalism, Animal Development, Cosmogony

    Following the appearance of 'the Comet', laments that fact that nobody has satisfactorily explained what the comet is. Notes that although astronomers have seen through the comet they cannot fathom its mystery. Presents the theory that, owing to their ghost-like appearance, comets may be 'ghosts of departed planets', or, because they have tails like tadpoles, are planets in the first stage of development.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Lecturing, Progress, Natural Theology, Expertise, Science Communication, Charlatanry

    Criticises a speech by Richard Owen Owen, Richard (1804–92) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> at the Leeds meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science British Association for the Advancement of Science
Close   View the register entry >> for being too long, but then praises it for conveying knowledge and suggesting new ideas, rather than being boring and platitudinous like most speeches. Extracts from the speech a section in which Owen describes the ability of men to approach divine wisdom by discerning 'in a series of conditions, their co-ordination to produce a given result'. Explains Owen's erudition as the result of an 'habitual (and wonderfully successful) search after natural truth' and contrasts his speech to the 'customary gabble about "sanitary improvement", "educational progress", and "elasticity of the revenue"'. A version of Owen's address was published as Owen 1859 Owen, Richard 1859. 'Address', Report of the Twenty-Eighth Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science; Held at Leeds in September 1858, xlvii–cx
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Ornithology, Natural History

Publications cited:

Bree 1859–63 Bree, Charles Robert 1859–63. History of the Birds of Europe not Observed in the British Isles, 4 vols, London: Groombridge
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

J L, pseud.  [John Leech] Leech, John (1817–64) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Astronomy, Observation

    Shows a couple standing on a balcony observing the sun setting over the sea.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Amateurism, Observation, Reading

    Discusses the poor life of the comet who is having to put up with being hunted 'to death' and 'chevied down until he goes to earth, or rather sinks below it'. Observes that 'All England has in fact been star-struck for the nonce, and amateur astronomers have been plentiful as partridges', and describes how the comet's movements have been 'continually reported' in the Court Circular Court Circular (1856–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> and other papers. Expresses no surprise that the comet 'looks so red in the face' given the amount of scrutiny from naked-eye observers. As a once 'bright rising star', Punch expresses sympathy for the comet and laments the idea of the 'comet and planet Punch' being stared at every night.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Language

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Astronomy, Lecturing, Societies, Language, Zoology, Physiology

    Subtitled 'SECTION, &c., SCIENTIFIC BUFFOONERY', reports on a lecture on the comet by 'PROFESSOR MILLER' (a reference to William A Miller Miller, William Allen (1817–70) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>) at the British Association for the Advancement of Science British Association for the Advancement of Science
Close   View the register entry >> meeting. The lecture explains the structure of the comet and draws out the comical associations of such terms as coma, nucleus (or kernel), Ursa Major, and revolution. For example, Miller points out that the word comet comes from coma 'not a state of insensibility, but a head of hair'. Adds that Edmond Halley's Halley, Edmond (1656?–1743) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> 'discovery' of a comet has won him 'a lasting reputation among philosophers', and compares Giovan B Donati Donati, Giovan Battista (1826–73) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> to Johann F Encke Encke, Johann Franz (1791–1865) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, both of whom had comets named after them. Concludes by noting that Miller was pelted with orange peel at the end of his lecture.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Photography, Aesthetics, Light, Commerce

    Tells Apollo, the 'Patron of artists', that the 'sons of art abuse thee'—the 'Photographers, on Science basely trading, / The Sun thou rulest to their ends pervert, / And make it do the drawing and the shading / Of pictures cheap and scandalous as dirt'. Calls on Apollo to look on the gruesome faces and 'gross' scenes which photographers portray with 'thy rays', and to 'quell these horrid Pythons of the mud' and to 'smite' these 'foul offensive brood of reptiles' with 'thy sharp shafts'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Metallurgy, Nutrition, Discovery

    Discusses Frederick C Calvert's Calvert, Frederick Crace (1819–73) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> 'conversation' at the Leeds meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science British Association for the Advancement of Science
Close   View the register entry >> (a version of which was published as Calvert 1859 Calvert, Frederick Crace 1859. 'On the Expansion of Metals, Alloys, and Salts', Report of the Twenty-Eighth Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science; Held at Leeds in September 1858, Notes and Abstracts of Miscellaneous Communications to the Sections, 46–47
Close   View the register entry >>) in which Calvert claimed that the 'lately discovered metal Aluminium', decomposes to form a jelly. Concludes that aluminium spoons might be turned into jelly and that it might be possible to 'eat jelly out of a mere spoon'. Proceeds to discuss George Harley's Harley, George (1829–96) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> paper on digestion (published as Harley 1859 Harley, George 1859. 'Notes of Experiments on Digestion', Report of the Twenty-Eighth Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Held at Leeds in September 1858, Notes and Abstracts of Miscellaneous Communications to the Sections, 135
Close   View the register entry >>) which suggested the possibility of finding a substance that would enable people to digest 'anything they pleased'. Notes that when Harley finds this substance he will eclipse the discovery of 'pepsin' and please London's aldermen.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Miracle, Cultural Geography, Human Development

    Notes that the 'attraction of the comet' paled beside the observation, in France, of an astonishingly fast-walking Englishman.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Hunting, Amusement, Instruments, Observation, Ornithology

    Implicitly likening the tail of the comet to that of a bird, describes the pursuit of the comet as if it were a hunt for a game bird. For example, notes that Giovan B Donati Donati, Giovan Battista (1826–73) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> used the 'brace of pointers which belong to Major Ursa' to point out the tail 'some few weeks ago', and that the 'long tail' has been so carefully watched 'that of those who have been nightly taking telescopic shots at it, few have missed hitting it at the first go off'. Describes the amount of 'night poaching' of the 'sidereal preserves' and asserts that Donati should claim the tail for himself. Expresses no surprise at a newspaper report of the comet's tail presenting a '"winged" appearance', not least because so many opera glasses have been directed at the comet.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Physiology, Miracle, Chemistry, Scientific Practitioners, Experiment, Expertise, Religious Authority, Faith

    Discusses a report in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> of the apparent liquefaction of the blood of St Januarius Januarius, Saint (or San Gennaro) (d. c. 305) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> in Naples. Claims that this is a 'miracle capable of being attested by the evidence of the men of science', not least because the 'laws which regulate the fusion of solids' are known. Believes that 'a thermometer, a jug of hot water, an ice-pail, and a commission of chemists' is 'all that is needful' to determine whether or not this is a miracle.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Gender, Observation

    Invites the comet to express annoyance at being the object of 'popular stare'. Notes that unlike 'genteel ladies', the comet possibly cannot bear being on view and consequently turns 'red in the face' —an allusion to the comet's appearance.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Physiology, Animal Development, Geology

    The spoof letter-writer discusses his response to the extraordinary news of a boy who allegedly vomited an eel, which may have been growing in his stomach. Describes his journey to the site of the incident, paying special attention to the geological features of the surrounding countryside.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Heroism, Scientific Practitioners

Institutions mentioned:

Atlantic Telegraph Company Atlantic Telegraph Company
Close   View the register entry >>

    Professes to be assured of the success of the 'American or even the Australian telegraph', given that 'intelligence' will be brought into the Mansion House Mansion House
Close   View the register entry >> 'by means of a small WIRE' (a reference to the incoming Lord Mayor of London, David W Wire Wire, David Williams (1801–60) WBI
Close   View the register entry >>). Describes a banquet given after the 'inauguration' of a statue of Isaac Newton Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> in Grantham, at which the 'almost perfect character' of Newton was discussed. At that moment, Henry P Brougham (1st Baron Brougham and Vaux) Brougham, Henry Peter, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux (1778–1868) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> asked for some of the glazed ham, and a wag quoted from Alexander Pope Pope, Alexander (1688–1744) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, 'If parts allure thee, see how bacon shined', referring to the virtues of Francis Bacon (1st Viscount St Alban) Bacon, Francis, 1st Viscount St Alban (1561–1626) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

J L, pseud.  [John Leech] Leech, John (1817–64) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Astronomy, Observation

    Depicts a parlour in which we see a boy reading a newspaper and his grandmother knitting. The grandmother 'collapses' when the boy explains, in great scientific detail, how the tail of a comet forms.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Quackery, Morality

    Describes, with some venom, the last years in the life of a retired physician. Expresses little doubt that the physician is 'hearty, hale, and stout, / In good condition' and that he will 'creep' to his grave 'like a slug'. Reveals that the physician has discovered a cure for consumption and urges him to divulge his secret to 'the mass', so that he can enjoy the act of 'doing good' and being paid 'in that bank aloft'. However, concludes by telling the 'old quack and public bore' to hang himself up 'behind the door'.

Genre:

Anecdote, Spoof

Subjects:

Surgery, Medical Practitioners

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Quackery, Politics, Government, Commerce

    The spoof letter-writer praises the new medical act on 'behalf of the undiplomatic [i.e. unlicensed] part of the Medical Profession'. Seeks to show how favourably it will work for unlicensed practitioners by citing the 'illiberal observations' of physician George Ross Ross, George (1815–75) WBI
Close   View the register entry >>, who holds that quacks will be able to proceed as before and that the act does not sufficiently penalise those who practice illegally. Thanks Robert Grosvenor (1st Baron Ebury) Grosvenor, Lord Robert, 1st Baron Ebury (1801–93) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> and other politicians for helping to create legislation which will restrict the 'amount of those Bills which heretofore we have been enabled to run up to any sum in certain cases by the threat of exposure'. Points out that this clause will simply force 'undiplomatic' medical practitioners such as himself to 'charge ready money'. Focusing on the thorny issue of registration fees, stresses that such fees, while giving medical practitioners 'the privilege of suing their insolvent patients', will be of no use to them and only enable the public to distinguish the 'diplomatic' from the 'undiplomatics' practitioners—a task for which the public 'does not care twopence'. Concludes that the act is simply one for 'Fining Medical Men Two Guineas' and hopes the 'diplomatists' like it. Expects that few will actually register and 'so lose their precious status' and their hard-earned qualifications.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Observation

    Discusses an announcement stating that on a certain evening the comet will only be visible from 'the Northumberland Cricket Ground'. Doubts whether this refers to Giovan B Donati's Donati, Giovan Battista (1826–73) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> comet and suggests that it might be an animal or a theatrical star.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Botany, Zoology, Natural History, Expertise, Class

    Discussing a Banffshire Journal Banffshire Journal (1845–1900+) COPAC
Close   View the register entry >> report of a shoemaker, argues that his claimed mastery of 'ornithology, zoology, conchology and botany' indicates that he possesses 'brains which would raise him at least to the level of a journeyman, and above that of cobbler'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Physical Geography, Language, Telegraphy

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Astronomy, Observation, Politics, Narcotics, Amusement

    Presenting Punch as a 'scientific journal' of the 'first rank', reports that it has received extensive correspondence on the supposed effect of the comet on humans, including the suggestion that it might explain the 'strange fact' of Edward G G S Stanley (14th Earl of Derby) Stanley, Edward George Geoffrey Smith, 14th Earl of Derby (1799–1869) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> 'keeping office'. Relates, 'for the benefit of the scientific world', a story which it considers much more credible. It concerns a 'MR. SM—TH' who, much to his wife's consternation, breaks his life-long habit of being punctual for his evening meal, and arrives home drunk early in the morning. (163) He explains that he has been to Cremorne Gardens to transact some 'mosh-hic-moshhicportant businesh' with 'ish fellow of—Shroyalshiety' (i.e. Royal Society Royal Society of London
Close   View the register entry >>) who wanted to observe the comet. The illustration shows a star field with an outline of great bear connecting some stars, and a comet streaming away from the tail of the bear. The caption reads '"Extremes Meet", As Exemplified on the Night of Saturday October 2nd'. (164)

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Exploration, Telegraphy, Discovery, Electricity, Accidents

Institutions mentioned:

Atlantic Telegraph Company Atlantic Telegraph Company
Close   View the register entry >>

    Regards Christopher Columbus Columbus, Christopher (1451–1506) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> as ranking higher than the Atlantic telegraph in bringing continents together, not least because Columbus had but one pole to guide him' while the telegraph had 'a positive and a negative pole', and while Columbus 'discovered an America', the telegraph 'is still at a loss to find an Europe (a new rope)'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Electricity, Music, Instruments, Surgery, Medical Treatment, Technology, Domestic Economy, Futurism

    Praising electricity for 'taking the circuit of the entire globe' and talking 'without being heard' (references to the Atlantic telegraph), announces two 'recent marvels of electricity'—'piano-forte playing, and tooth-extraction'—which, 'according to your manipulation', shows that electricity 'becomes either an instrument of pleasure, or an instrument of torture'. Discusses the successful attempt by Léon Humar Humar, Léon (fl. 1858) PU1/35/17/3
Close   View the register entry >> to make five pianos play simultaneously by means of electricity. Anticipates the possibility of several more pianos being played at once by electricity, but does not look forward to the sound created by multiple piano-playing, 'regarding one piano at a time' to be 'quite enough'. Thinks the benefits of electrical tooth-drawing balance the evils of electric piano-playing. Wonders 'what will not electricity do next?' and anticipates the day when electricity 'will cook our dinner, sew on our buttons, write our letters, make our clothes, whip our children, black our boots, shave our stubbly chins, and even help us with a pinch of snuff', and help us into bed. However, does not think electricity will 'help us pay our Income-Tax'.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Sociology, Societies

    Shows Henry P Brougham (1st Baron Brougham and Vaux) Brougham, Henry Peter, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux (1778–1868) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> and Mr Punch standing at the foot of some stairs leading up to a temple. Brougham clutches a scroll marked 'Speech on the Promotion of Social Science' and Mr Punch says, 'After You, My Lord'. This is a reference to the National Association for the Promotion of Social Science National Association for the Promotion of Social Science
Close   View the register entry >>, of which Brougham was president, 1857–58.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Agriculture

People mentioned:

John J Mechi Mechi, John Joseph (1802–80) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

J P, pseud.  [Julian Portch] Portch, Julian (d. 1865) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Technology, Domestic Economy

    Shows Neptune dressed as a washerwoman who stands on the ocean floor and uses the Atlantic telegraph as a washing line.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Museums, Nutrition, Cultural Geography

    Considers it as likely that the Paris-based society for donkey eating ('a sort of Cannibal Society for Eating Ass-flesh') will become popular, as that 'the Comet's tail' will be 'deposited in the British Museum British Museum
Close   View the register entry >>'.

Genre:

Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Amusement

    Compares the comet 'wagging its tail for the last time in the presence of the earth' to the recent retirement of the popular actor John Cooper Cooper, John (1793–1870) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Technology, Accidents

    'It's Never too late to Mend'.

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Astronomy, Observation, Amateurism, Instruments

    Describes how an 'amateur astronomer', after eating and drinking in a pub, 'discovered the existence of a second Comet', which was the same magnitude as Giovan B Donati's Donati, Giovan Battista (1826–73) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, but only visible 'by the help of a champagne-glass'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Sociology, Societies

    'If Social Science is independent of Parties, what becomes of scientific soirées?'.

Genre:

Song, Drollery

Subjects:

Class, Health, Disease, Domestic Economy, Human Development

    Having surveyed the indulgent lifestyles of his superiors, the clown thinks that they have much to learn on the 'zubject of health', especially because their expensive and wasteful lifestyles lead to gout, their 'ball-rooms chock full o' foul gas' are worse than 'crowded dwellings', their crinoline dresses are too heavy for their backs, and 'They wun't nuss their babbies as Natur commands'. Concludes by advising his social superiors that 'Mt friends as our labour in luxury maintains, / To live on your means you must use your own braains, / Without self-reliance you'll never larn how / Your puddun to at in the sweat of our brow'.

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Astronomy, Observation, Aesthetics, Instruments, Light, Futurism

People mentioned:

George B Airy, Airy, Sir George Biddell (1801–92) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> John R Hind Hind, John Russell (1823–95) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

    Begins with an extract from The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> remarking on the great attention gained by the disappearing comet. The poem opens by wondering whether the comet is departing so suddenly because it has been offended by 'flippant jests' and 'the tribute of a stare'. Observes how people remarked on its beauty, 'That night you stuck your tail before Arcturus', and wonders what will 'delay your moving' along 'the Grand Orrery, of NEWTON's Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> grooving'. Believes that the comet regards all the people who observed him, including the 'Sage with ardour mounting / Tower whence his Galileo Galilei, Galileo (1564–1642) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>-glass is thrust', as 'not worth the counting'. Imagines a 'bold atom' asking the comet what it will see in two thousand years time, and its suggestions for what it will see include the planet as 'an extinct volcano, white and dumb', 'Priests still leading, as the blind the blind', and 'Earth's choicest youth fierce rushing to the slaughter'. Speculates on the rules and customs of societies at this future time, including whether law will 'be still the rich man's shield and buckler' and whether Europe will have 'ceased to "make Religion / A rhapsody of words"—and some unclean'. Concludes by informing the departing comet that it has 'no right to make a light strain sad'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoology, Palaeontology, Geology

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Statistics

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Quackery, Commerce

    Discusses the case of a 'respectable' Keighley medical practitioner who appeared to have published 'a nonsensical puff' through a 'quack advertiser'. Explains that the author of the puff was not this practitioner but his namesake, and urges the practitioner that Punch's previous remarks on the puff should not aggrieve him. Concludes by arguing that such jokes at the expense of quacks are also jokes at the expense of the quack's customers.

Genre:

Song, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Prognostication

    To be sung to the air of 'Little Bo Peep', this song explains that, according to George B Airy Airy, Sir George Biddell (1801–92) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, the comet will return in two thousand years time.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Sociology, Politics

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy

    Discusses the behaviour of 'His Brightness the Comet' as if it were a monarch. Observations include the fact that the comet 'was attended by a brilliant suite', that it 'starred most successfully for a limited number of nights', and that it may return in two thousand years time.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Astronomy, Observation

    Shows a woman looking out of a window at what appears to be a comet tail, but which is actually the divergent beam of light emanating from a lamp held by a figure on steps near the window.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery; Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Astronomy, Superstition, Domestic Economy

    Expresses no surprise at the departure of the comet given that it was strongly 'put upon', and argues that this comet, like those recorded in history, has been associated with 'baleful influence', and has been viewed as the 'author of all our eccentricities'. Notes that 'Whatever we have done in any way amiss, our excuse for it has lately been "Oh, it's the Comet!"', and supports this claim with several cases of political, religious, domestic, and artistic mishaps on which 'the Comet has had influence', but which clearly have nothing to do with the celestial body. For example, it notes that a 'MR. SCAMPE, in his dismay at the idea of London being burnt up by the Comet, took precautions to ensure [sic] his house for more than twice its value; and finding that the Comet failed to set alight to it, he fired it himself, and swore the Comet did it'. Turning to 'scientific speculation' regarding the effect of the comet on 'planet Punch', claims that the planet has 'not moved from its orbit of philanthropy and fun' and is as attractive and bright as ever.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Phrenology

People mentioned:

Johann C Spurzheim Spurzheim, Johann Christoph (1776–1832) DSB
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Publications cited:

Liverpool Daily Post Daily Post (1855–79) Liverpool Daily Post (1879–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Crime, Charlatanry, Sociology

    Discusses the need to punish 'swindling stockbrokers, bankers, trustees, and rogues in general' by making them 'repay the amount of their frauds' or 'pay for their keep'. Suggests that this problem should be considered by the National Association for the Advancement of Social Science National Association for the Promotion of Social Science
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Human Species, Religious Authority, Animal Behaviour, Descent

    Following accusations by vestrymen that Pusey Pusey, Edward Bouverie (1800–82) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>ites were engaged in 'Monkish Practices', suggests, while shrinking from speaking irreverently of the 'reverend gentlemen', that monks can be seen as 'little else than monkeys'. Supports the claim with several comparisons between Puseyites and monkeys: insists that Puseyites are 'strongly prone to imitation, which everybody knows is of a monkeyish descent', and involves the Puseyite aping 'the Priest's bearing and demeanour'; the Puseyites 'evince considerable activity', not least the rapidity with which they alternate 'bows and genuflexions'; Puseyites, like monkeys, 'evince a mania for mischief', in particular their 'monkey-like' enjoyment of the quarrels which ensue from their 'dissensions in the Church'; and Puseyites, like monkeys, exhibit a 'Restlessness of disposition', in particular their habits of 'for ever shifting and changing' their position and their 'Roming tendency'. Concludes by noting that while ladies 'may make pets' of monkeys, such animals irritate husbands, not least when they are 'up to such tricks as the Confession'.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Adulteration, Nutrition, Narcotics, Disease, Commerce, Phrenology

People mentioned:

Cornelius Donovan Donovan, Cornelius (c. 1820–72) DNBS
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    Discusses the operations of the Joint Stock Lollipop Company Joint Stock Lollipop Company
Close   View the register entry >> which has been 'formed to supply the juvenile population with lozenges free from poison'. Explains that lollipops are adulterated with the same 'indigestible' material, Plaster of Paris, that is used in the construction of phrenologists' busts. Notes that this substance, used as a substitute for sugar, causes 'Immediate death'. Announces that the Lollipop Company has been formed to produce lollipops free from Plaster of Paris and thus to allay the 'feeling of alarm' which is to be expected from consumers of lozenges.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

J L, pseud.  [John Leech] Leech, John (1817–64) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
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Subjects:

Adulteration, Nutrition, Narcotics, Disease, Commerce

    Following Anon, 'Sweets without Poison', Punch, 35 (1858), 206, shows a skeleton standing in an apothecary's shop, dressed in an apothecary's outfit. He stirs a mixture with pestle and mortar, and around him lie containers of such poisonous substances as arsenic and Plaster of Paris.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Metallurgy, Monstrosities

    Following an article in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> (Anon 1859b Anon. 1859b. 'Aerolites', The Times, 12 November 1858, 10
Close   View the register entry >>), discusses some of the characteristics of 'aëroliths'. Describes the landing of such an object in Connecticut in 1807, noting that if it had fallen in the sea it might have killed the sea serpent, inflicting 'an irreparable loss on the Natural History of the Future'. Relates that the impact of aëroliths on the surface is noisy and that they are 'small planetary masses' which, after being attracted to the earth, reach the planet's surface like 'overdone' roast apples. Describes the mundane metallic constitution of the objects, but suggests that they may also contain precious metals. Adds that 'if Jupiter were to go to pieces, he would come down in a golden shower, which would be too much of a good thing for DANAE, represented by the Earth'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Steamships, Amusement

    Puzzles over an advertisement for viewing the SS Great Eastern SS Great Eastern
Close   View the register entry >> in Gresham Street.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Adulteration, Narcotics, Crime

Genre:

Song, Drollery

Subjects:

Adulteration, Nutrition, Disease, Commerce, Health, Pharmaceuticals

    Laments the range of products that tradesmen now adulterate, while the chorus chimes in with the complaint that 'we all look so glum' thanks to 'the Plague of Adulteration'. Goes on to give some specific examples of how foods and drinks are made from unwholesome substances, such as butter from 'pig's lard mixed with fat', and concludes by reaffirming that 'Nought's sold but Adulteration' and claiming that owing to the adulteration of drugs, 'every chemist's now a thief'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Ancient Authorities, Superstition, Prognostication

    Noting the ancient belief that 'stars were supposed to be the representatives' of eminent people, suggests the possibility that the early-November flurry of 'falling stars' are symbols of 'the Mayors then going out of office'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Crime, Phrenology, Psychology

    Argues that 'Thieves, according to Phrenology, should have the organ of adhesiveness as well as that of acquisitiveness in excess, since they are as strongly disposed to stick together as their fingers are to other men's goods'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Crime, Miracle, Psychology, Language

    Discusses a Morning Post Morning Post and Daily Advertising Pamphlet (1772–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> article about a young man in New York who murdered his parents and servants—victims who, according to the author of the Post article, were later to be 'in a fair way to recovery'. Rejecting the possibility that a miracle has happened, suggests that the author had been subjected to a 'reflex-action' which made him use the latter phrase (one which he evidently used a good deal) instead of 'as well as could be expected'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Adulteration, Narcotics, Nutrition, Mental Illness, Commerce

    Anticipates that because the 'Adulteration Mania' has apparently reached its nadir, then matters can only improve. Believing that the supply will stop when the demand ceases, does not doubt that lunatics will be the only people left buying 'sweetmeats' and other 'compounds of adulterating tradesfolk'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Engineering, Commerce, Nutrition

    Reports on the collapse of a Suez Canal scheme caused by the retirement of Jules Barthélémy-Saint-Hilaire Barthélemy-Saint-Hilaire, Jules (1805–95) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> from the Suez Canal Company Suez Canal Company
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Physiognomy

Genre:

Serial, Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Railways, Politics, Engineering

    This description of a legal chambers details the behaviour of a character called 'BROADGUAGE', who 'dropped into a Parliamentary practice at the time of the Railway mania'.

Genre:

Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Exhibitions, Animal Behaviour, Ornithology, Sound, Charlatanry, Commerce, Amusement

    Discusses the bird show at the Crystal Palace Crystal Palace
Close   View the register entry >>, and expresses general disappointment with the exhibition, especially since the birds 'were either bashful or stupid', 'those who could talk would not talk', and 'those who could sing either lost their voices, or else were labouring under a very severe cold'. Directs special criticism at an 'impostor' starling, whose talking and singing skills left much to be desired. Notes that the 'Hooded or Royston Crow' was the 'great "star"' owing to its extraordinary age, although the costly bird was unaccountably hidden from view. Punch's descriptions of the other birds includes that of the 'Long-Eared Owl', the 'great success of the exhibition', which appeared to take particular interest in killing two canaries and could be 'cheered' on mentioning the word 'mouse'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Adulteration, Narcotics, Nutrition, Disease, Crime

    Argues that 'this wholesale adulteration' has the particular benefit that since 'drugs are so diluted, and poison so mixed up with more innocuous ingredients', it becomes difficult to use them successfully to poison oneself. Points out that 'Death would much more probably ensue from a pennyworth of peppermint, or a lollipop or two'. Expresses hope that 'these facts' will be spread widely by the press and dramatists, and then considers the effects of adulterated (and therefore weakened) poisons on melodrama: it would, for example, thwart villany, and give rise to plots where characters were murdered with 'an adulterated dinner'. Proceeds to discuss how novelists could 'give publicity' to the truths of adulteration, including the construction of plots 'wherein all the troubles and the torments of the heroine and hero might be brought on or cleared off by a judicious introduction of adulterated articles'. Concludes by noting the Lancet's Lancet (1823–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> exposure of the adulteration of tea, coffee, and milk.

Genre:

Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Mathematics

    Claims that a friend of Punch has solved the problem of squaring the circle: he observed policemen in the parish of St Pancras making their nightly 'rounds in squares'.

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Class

    The narrator begins by portraying a 'fawning toady' addressing an aristocratic woman concerning reports (in the event erroneous) that surgeon Benjamin C Brodie Brodie, Sir Benjamin Collins, 1st Baronet (1783–1862) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> was to be elevated to the peerage, but then counsels: 'The Peerage will still be kept pure / From contact with a titled surgeon'. Thinks that 'Some recognition might be fair / Of those who use the ars medendi', and sees no reason why 'The Scalpel' should be 'laid away in ermine' if 'the good sword may claim its fee / In titles'. Questions peers as to whether 'our laws' have done as much good as Brodie's forceps, and upholds the claim that 'clear-eyed Honour gladly decks / The man who heals good people's bodies'. Concludes by assuring peers that Punch will still bow to them but 'greets SIR B[enjamin]., and not LORD BETCHWORTH' (a reference to Brodie's family seat at Broome Park, Betchworth, Surrey).

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Nutrition, Societies

    Discusses Jules Barthélémy-Saint-Hilaire's Barthélemy-Saint-Hilaire, Jules (1805–95) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> foundation of a 'society of horse-eaters'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Education, Universities, Chemistry, Cultural Geography

    Discusses a statement made by Lyon Playfair Playfair, Sir Lyon, 1st Baron Playfair of St Andrews (1818–98) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> during one of his first lectures as the newly-appointed professor of chemistry at the University of Edinburgh University of Edinburgh
Close   View the register entry >>. Playfair had expressed his intention to make 'considerable alterations' in the modes of chemistry teaching at the university and stressed that he had sacrificed a more lucrative position in London for his present one. Punch praises Playfair's 'magnanimity', and draws attention to his chemical work, and the excitement that his 'example' has produced 'on the part of those who will probably not imitate it'. Points out that the last time the English-Scottish border was crossed was by the 'hindmost of a party of "blue-bonnets"' who had English cattle in front of them, and English yeomen and constables after them. Expects that the Scots will 'make the most' of Playfair.

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Adulteration, Nutrition, Analytical Chemistry, Class

    Reports on a meeting of 'the liveried attendants of the aristocracy' to discuss 'recent disclosures respecting the adulteration of food'. The meeting resolves to communicate with 'a distinguished chemist' to analyse the amount of alum and 'daff' in hair-powder.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Domestic Economy

    Discusses a proposal to lay telegraphs within 100 yards of 'every man's door'. While Punch accepts the benefits of being within 'five minutes' of pleasant invitations and news, deplores the consequences 'of being within five minutes of every noodle who wants to ask you a question, of every dun with a "little account", of every acquaintance who has a favour to beg'. Claims that the present arrangement of telegraphs saves him from 'Mrs. P's anxieties' and other questions, but 'with a House-Telegraph, it would be a perpetual téte-à-téte' with her, and would lead to such undesirable consequences of being 'always in company [...] with all our acquaintance', of being unable to gain solitude, and of 'being able to oversee and overhear all that is being done or said concerning us all over London!'. Concludes by denying that society is 'quite ripe for the House-Telegraph yet'.

Genre:

Dialogue, Spoof

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Politics

    Describes Mr Punch's arrangements for receiving news of a speech in Manchester by John Bright Bright, John (1811–89) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> via the telegraph.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Entomology, Amusement

    Responding to the publication of Ward and Mahon 1859 Mary Ward [Honourable Mrs W., pseud.] and Jane Mahon [Lady J., pseud.] [1859]. Entomology in Sport, Entomology in Earnest, London: Paul Jerrard & Son
Close   View the register entry >>, claims that entomology in sport may run into entomology in earnest: studying bees may be 'entomology in sport' but upsetting the beehive makes it 'entomology in earnest'. Insists that entomology is only fun when it is 'purely objective', because 'subjective entomology' can be so serious that it keeps its victims 'awake at night'.