Genre:

Notes; Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

Swain Sc Swain, Joseph (1820–1909) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Natural History, Physiognomy, Astronomy, Physiology, Exploration, Mathematics | Palaeontology, Animal Husbandry

People mentioned:

Carl Linnaeus, Linnaeus (or von Linné), Carl (1707–78) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Johnann K Lavater, Lavater, Johann Kaspar (1741–1801) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> Nicholas Copernicus, Copernicus, Nicholas (1473–1543) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> William Harvey, Harvey, William (1578–1657) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Georges Cuvier, Cuvier, Georges (1769–1832) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Auguste Comte, Comte, Isidore Auguste Marie François Xavier (Auguste) (1798–1857) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> James Cook, Cook, James (1728–79) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Gottfried W Leibniz Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm (1646–1716) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

    The top right-hand corner of the illustration includes a picture of a dinosaur labelled 'Cattle Show Prize'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Natural Philosophy, Physics, Force

    'A candidate for the Public Service, being asked to exemplify the correlation of physical forces instanced a blue pill and a black dose'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoological Gardens

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Natural History, Animal Behaviour, Government, Invention, Progress

    In a similar vein to Anon, 'Political Zoology: The Red-Tapeworm', Punch, 28 (1855), 71 and , Anon, 'The Red-Tapir', Punch, 30 (1856), 192, this is a 'natural historical' description of 'the red-tape worm', a government-residing species which impedes business and technological progress. For example, notes that the species 'is peculiarly insidious and determined in its attacks on all new inventions or improved business machinery' and, like 'some other of the ascarides', it 'has a tendency to multiply itself'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Education

    Asks rhetorically: where is the medical student who does not smoke before entering the lecture-room or who 'can refrain from "doing" beer' after the lecture?

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:

Natural History, Collecting, Gender

    Shows a room in which several sisters stand around an aquarium, while on the floor some crabs can be seen. A young boy (a brother) enters on the right holding a long stick on the end of which is stuck a 'fine specimen of cuttle-fish (Octopus vulgaris)'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Time, Ancient Authorities, Astronomy

    Mr Punch attempts to credit 'PROFESSOR' Sosigenes Sosigenes (fl. 1st century BC) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, the 'Astronomer Royal' to Julius Caesar Caesar, Julius (Gaius Julius) (100–44 BC) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, with the invention of the Julian reforms to the calendar and for setting 'the almanack by the sun'.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

Swain Sc Swain, Joseph (1820–1909) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Collecting, Natural History, Gender, Reading

    Shows a seashore on which three women are seen collecting zoological specimens. Two of the women glance at two men nearby, both of whom are reading books. The 'impertinent cousin' reads from his book a description of 'beautiful zoophites', which clearly refers to the women.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Homeopathy, Vulcanology

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Homeopathy, Nutrition

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoology

Genre:

Serial, Song, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Instruments, Comparative Philology

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Ornithology, Animal Behaviour

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Botany, Entomology, Language

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Entomology, Human Species

    'Natural Historical' description of the 'Hop-fly', a species with a 'dark green or brown body', which gives off a 'musty smell', lives 'about mews and livery stables', and which, 'between midnight and the small hours will be found motionless' near the houses where they obtain hops.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Cultural Geography

Genre:

Introduction, Drollery; Diary, Spoof

Subjects:

Mesmerism

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Horticulture, Human Species, Development, Gender

    Discusses a report of the Swedish aristocrat, Baron Creutz Creutz, Baron (of Sweden) (fl. 1860) PU1/38/1/2
Close   View the register entry >>, who proposed that girls from the age of fifteen should be allowed to answer offers of marriage 'of their own accord'. The proposal was opposed by M Montgomery Montgomery, M (of Sweden) (fl. 1860) PU1/38/1/2
Close   View the register entry >>, who thought that twenty-five was the age at which women were capable of answering this question. Points out that 'Southern plants are known to shoot up at an age' which Creutz 'would fix for the maturity of the Swedish species of turnip', and that if his views are correct, then 'Juliets are found in higher latitudes' than previously supposed. Montgomery's opinion, however, suggests that 'the Swede must be a vegetable of slowish growth' since at the age of twenty-five, 'such produce' (women) 'has passed by four years the term at which it becomes capable of disposing of itself'. Punch thinks that 'the truth' lies somewhere between the views of Creutz and Montgomery, and suggests that Creutz try to sell his 'fine early Swedes' at British agricultural exhibitions.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoology, Comparative Philology, Miracle, Geology

    Discusses a familiar limerick describing how the sister of a 'Old Tailor of Bicester' was carried away by 'a bird called a Jay'. Pondering the plausibility of this event, remarks that at one time 'we began to reflect that the age of miracles was past, and that for a bird called a jay—which we had seen among our noble father's ancestral woods, and also at the Zoological Gardens Zoological Society of London —Gardens
Close   View the register entry >> [...] to carry away a maiden, would be a marvel for which even an anti-Mosaic geologist would hardly have swallow enough'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Railways, Health, Sanitation, Disease, Gender

    Complains about the apparent tendency of women railway travellers to close the windows of carriages, an action which, as the author explains to one 'foolish woman' traveller, leads to the 'unwholesome' result of people breathing each others' noxious exhalations. Urges the 'female mind' to understand the benefits of 'fresh air' and the dangers of 'foul air', and criticises the fear expressed by women 'of the effect upon the chest of slight cold'. Advises railway directors to organise separate carriages for those who wish to travel with 'insanitary travelling-companions'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoology, Amusement, Politics

    Discusses the political consequences of the death of the 'Talking Fish'.

Genre:

Proceedings, Spoof

Subjects:

Disease, Meteorology, Medical Practitioners, Commerce, Sanitation

    Report of a meeting at the Apothecaries' Hall Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London—Apothecaries' Hall
Close   View the register entry >> of medical practitioners who consider presenting a testimonial to the 'Clerk of the Weather' (i.e. the imaginary functionary supposed to control the weather) for his 'management'. According to Dr Twaddler, the weather has been so inclement as to be 'extraordinarily favourable to the [...] legitimate profits of the profession'. Twaddler goes on to remark on the 'few constitutions' that were 'insensible' of the rapid changes of temperature, and stresses that he does not 'grudge a share in the spoils' to his colleagues. Mr Honeyboy urges that the meeting should be cut short since 'time was fees' and 'they must make hay while the influenza shines upon them', an opinion which Dr Greed later echoes. Mr D'Emulgent, however, cautions that doctors should not do anything to increase 'prejudice against the profession', especially since people now feel that with healthier life-styles they could do without doctors. Mr Fitzabel agrees and advises that they should take people's money 'and be quiet'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Disease, Analogy

Institutions mentioned:

Admiralty Admiralty
Close   View the register entry >>

    Responds to the call by William Bowles Bowles, William (1780–1869) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> (commander-in-chief at Portsmourth) for the 'severest measures' to be taken to crush the 'rising spirit of insubordination in the British Navy'—his reaction to a recent mutiny on the HMS Princess Royal HMS Princess Royal
Close   View the register entry >>. Ironically imagines what a fine doctor Bowles would have made: he would doubtless have approached an 'eruptive complaint' such as small-pox by suppressing the eruption, thus killing the patient. If, as a doctor, Bowles had 'taken his severest measures' against the causes rather than the symptoms of the eruption, Punch begs his pardon.

Genre:

Song, Drollery

Subjects:

Nutrition, Disease, Medical Practitioners, Commerce

    Rejoices in the 'season festive' because it leads to digestive and other medical complaints that provide plenty of business for doctors. Hails the 'feasts most indigestive', the puddings which upset children's 'infant livers', and the 'poisoned sweets' presented to children, and concludes by stressing that Christmas, 'Of all the year / To doctors thou'rt the time most dear'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

War, Sanitation,

Institutions mentioned:

Army Army
Close   View the register entry >>

    Responds to John F Burgoyne's Burgoyne, Sir John Fox, 1st Baronet (1782–1871) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> article in the Cornhill Magazine Cornhill Magazine (1860–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> (Burgoyne 1860 [Burgoyne, John F] 1860. 'Our Volunteers', Cornhill Magazine, 1, 77–84
Close   View the register entry >>) which compares unfavourably a member of the proposed Rifle Volunteers with 'the regular, well set-up, well-stocked, well-packed Linesman or Guardsman'. Challenges Burgoyne's assumption that the 'Regular Soldier' is better suited to 'wear and tear' than are volunteers, drawing attention to the dissolute activities pursued by regular soldiers in barracks (which hardly 'fit a man to fact heavy work, long marches, a wet back, and an empty belly') and to the high mortality rates of linesmen and guardsmen reported by the commission on the sanitary condition in the Army. Points out that volunteers, by contrast, 'are the very thews and sinews of the population', who would probably have a mortality rate lower than that of regular soldiers.

See also:

[John F Burgoyne], 'Our Volunteers', Cornhill Magazine, 1 (1860), 77–84

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Physiognomy, Photography

Publications cited:

Photographic Advertiser Photographic Advertiser (cited 1860) PU1/38/2/3
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Music, Scientific Practitioners

    Responding to news of Giuseppe Garibaldi's Garibaldi, Giuseppe (1807–82) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> formation of a 'Regiment of boys', asks why the Italian patriot did not 'organise a corps out of those that infest the streets of London, and appoint MR. BABBAGE Babbage, Charles (1792–1871) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> his recruiting-sergeant?'

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Mathematics

People mentioned:

Archimedes, Archimedes (c. 287–212 BC) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Euclid Euclid (fl. 295 BC) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Adulteration, Nutrition, Crime, Narcotics, Analytical Chemistry, Charlatanry, Quackery, Commerce, Government

    Argues that 'poisoning is as rife now as it was in the dark ages', although it now goes by the name of adulteration, and is practised by 'a host of BROWNS and JONESES' in 'course of ordinary business'. Discusses an extract from an article in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> describing how some children had been poisoned by eating Bath buns, and deploring the fact that magistrates could not help one severely poisoned child because 'he had not been poisoned outright'. Goes on to lament that the confectioner had adulterated the buns with a poisonous dye (to make them appear 'extra rich') bought from a nearby chemist, who had 'a finger in the poisoned pie', since the dye was made from yellow arsenic rather than from chromate of lead. Echoes The Times's concern: 'who among us is safe?'. Shares the belief of a doctor from the Bristol School of Chemistry Bristol School of Chemistry
Close   View the register entry >> that adulterated food is responsible for many of the common 'chronic and dyspeptic' complaints. Goes on to argue that, since quack doctors make their livings from the latter complaints, they would oppose the 'punishment of poisonmongers'. Accordingly points out that if the government were to put down (with 'a police force of Poisoner-detectives') 'poisonmongery', 'quack-doctoring' would also be eradicated. Concludes by explaining that until such a provision is made, confectioners should be treated as 'vendors of dyspepsia' and foods as poisons. This article was published shortly before the first Food and Drugs Act of March 1860.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Disease

    Following news of dry-rot in Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace
Close   View the register entry >>, suggest that unless 'some able doctor, who is well skilled in the cutaneous diseases of buildings, is not instantly called in', the holes in the palace will grow so large as to make it look like a 'Doll's House'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Quackery, Charlatanry, Crime, Disease, Medical Treatment, Race

People mentioned:

Hippocrates of Cos Hippocrates of Cos (460–370 BC) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

Institutions mentioned:

University of Leiden University of Leiden
Close   View the register entry >>

    Discusses the trial of M Vries Vries, M (fl. 1860) PU1/38/2/8
Close   View the register entry >>, an individual calling himself 'the Black Doctor', accused of murdering several French cancer sufferers. Emphasises how the 'Tribunal of Correctional Police' 'mercilessly dissected' Vries, accepting the claim of two medical practitioners that Vries's remedies contained 'nothing peculiar' and noting that most of his patients had died under his care. Points out that Vries will be sentenced to 'a heavy fine and a long imprisonment'. Goes on to speculate what would have happened had Vries been practising (and on trial) in England, had been a 'Hebrew' called Hosea Habbakuk, had advertised widely, and lived by 'terrifying and plundering any timid fool'. Proceeds to a fictional extract from the trial of Habbakuk, in which the 'Jew quack' tries to defend the charge that he pretends to cure diseases that he does not understand or which do not exist. Insists that Habbakuk would be acquitted 'on a technical point' owing to his barrister's rhetorical skills, bullying of witnesses for the prosecution, and other legal wrangling. Concludes by advising Vries that he should have been an English quack.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Heat, Amusement

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Steamships, Commerce, Energy, Engineers

    Noting the 'hot water' in which the SS Great Eastern SS Great Eastern
Close   View the register entry >> appears to have been plunged 'ever since it was first launched', points out that engineers on board the ship are provided with free hot water, unlike those attending 'suburban tea-gardens'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Psychology, Medical Treatment

    Discusses a Herefordshire [i.e. Hereford] Times Hereford Times (1832–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> article concerning a case, dating from 1806, of a horse which had a violent aversion to paper, but 'not the slightest fear of objects that would terrify most horses'. The report adds that attempts to cure the horse were unsuccessful. Believes the story is fabulous and meant to be allegorical.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Disease, Meteorology

    Similar to Anon, 'A Chant for Christmas. By a Poet who Belongs to the Medical Profession', Punch, 38 (1860), 13, rejoices in the beneficial effect of seasonal conditions on doctors' income. Hails the arrival of such inclement weather conditions as hail, snow, and rain so that people, 'despite their thickest coats [...] may get sore throats'. Relishes winter as the season in which 'ague, asthma, cough and cramp' breed, calls on Boreas to 'lay the halest mortals low', and urges bronchitis, influenza, and other maladies to appear, 'for fevers are to doctors food' as well as 'meat and raiment'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Phrenology, Physiology, Commerce

    Insists that a phrenologist has correctly analysed the head of Queen Victoria Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and Empress of India (1819–1901) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> (on the Postage-Stamp) as being 'sadly deficient' in the 'bump of adhesiveness'.

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Politics, War

    An account of the 'prescription' offered by 'DOCTOR LOUIS NAPOLEON Napoleon III, Emperor of France (originally Louis Napoléon (Charles Louis Napoléon Bonaparte)) (1808–73) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>' to Pope Pius IX Pius IX, Pope (1792–1878) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>. This 'bitter pill' is suggested following Napoleon's observation that the pope's 'constitution' has been greatly upset and weakened—an allusion to the recent Franco-Sardinian war against Austria for occupying several northern Italian provinces, and the victorious Napoleon's promise to unify Italy. Napoleon goes on to warn the pope of the threat of revolution and offers him free medical advice: 'to take the mild form of emetic which I venture to prescribe, and throw up the things [the 'revolted provinces'] which so long have been disturbing you'.

Genre:

Review

Publications reviewed:

Nightingale 1859 Nightingale, Florence 1859. Notes on Nursing: What it is, and What it is Not, London: Harrison
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Medical Practitioners, Hospitals, Gender

    This highly laudatory review opens by noting that the theme on which the book's author, Florence Nightingale Nightingale, Florence (1820–1910) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, sings 'has less of music than of melancholy' but that this still 'melodious' theme is of reducing the 'sad suffering' of the sick room and assisting its occupants. Punch urges that Nightingale be listened to for the 'sweetness' of her tone and her practical suggestions, one of which is to reduce the amount of 'unnecessary noise' created near the sick—an argument which Punch supports with examples of the harmful effects of loud talking to, and walking near, the sick. (34) Goes on to note Nightingale's denouncement of the irritating noise of new fashions (especially crinoline and silk), and her call for nurses to 'dress for the part'. Punch fully supports this argument, insisting that if a patient were 'driven to distraction, and to death perhaps' by the noise of a nurse's stays and crinoline, it would hope that the relatives would 'issue a commission of inquiry'. Punch is even more sanguine about Nightingale's claim that since women's dress 'is daily more and more unfitting them for any "mission", or usefulness at all [....] A man is now a more handy and far less objectionable being in a sick room than a woman'. Punch greatly appreciates Nightingale for attacking 'woman's folly and her uselessness', and thinks her book should be bought by all fathers and libraries.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Transport, Engineering

    Discusses a report in the Morning Post Morning Post and Daily Advertising Pamphlet (1772–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> concerning the construction of the Suez Canal Suez Canal
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Illustration, Caricature

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Politics

    Depicts Benjamin Disraeli Disraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield (1804–81) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> as a jackdaw sitting on a telegraph wire which stretches into the distance. Below him stands Henry J Temple (3rd Viscount Palmerston) Temple, Henry John, 3rd Viscount Palmerston (1784–1865) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> who, armed with a musket labelled 'Fact', tells the 'Jackdaw': '"Telegram, Indeed! I'll Telegram You" (Floors Him)'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Controversy

People mentioned:

William G Armstrong Armstrong, Sir William George, Baron Armstrong of Cragside (1810–1900) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

    Discusses the claim by William H Russell Russell, Sir William Howard (1820–1907) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, in his Army and Navy Gazette Army and Navy Gazette (1860–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>, that the wooden carriages for the Armstrong guns being hoisted onto the HMS Himalaya HMS Himalaya
Close   View the register entry >> were rotten, a claim contradicted by the Morning Post Morning Post and Daily Advertising Pamphlet (1772–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

[Trident], pseud.  [H R Howard] Howard, Henry R (fl. 1853) Spielmann 1895
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Steam-power, Transport, Magic

    The first letter of the article, 'O', consitutes the sun in the adjacent illustration showing a witch riding a giant shoe which is driven by steam-power and rolls on wheels.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Charlatanry, Government

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Meteorology, Measurement, Language

    Comments on the claim in a recent 'Meteorological article' on the 'mean' quantity of rainfall during the preceding January. Considering Punch's rheumatic afflictions, characterizes the quantity as 'copious' rather than 'mean'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Commerce, Engineering, Technology, Vulcanism

    Responds to an article in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> describing a German journalist's derision at a proposal by some English capitalists to extinguish Mount Vesuvius. Accordingly, the author summarises several bogus projects by which English money 'will be usefully employed' and where 'highly profitable work' can be found. These projects include, setting the Thames on fire in order to 'deodorise and render it salubrious', a touring exhibition of the actual summit of Mont Blanc, importing 'all the gold-fields bodily to England, so as to save the cost of working them so away from home', inducing the sun to shine at night and thus dispensing with burning gas, extracting pea soup from the London fog, and importing Niagara Falls. Concludes by denying the German journalist's claim that the Vesuvius scheme is an English one.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Steamships, Engineering, Energy, Domestic Economy

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Manufactories, Industry, Commerce

    Observes that an article on paper manufacturing in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> drew attention to the dearth of rags in Britain, but points out that such materials will soon be in demand owing to the damaging effects of the 'ever-increasing Income Tax' on people's prospects.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Government, Politics, Commerce, Medical Treatment, Quackery

    Written from the perspective of John Bull, considers the Liberal administration's 'tenpenny Income-Tax' to be its 'biggest and bitterest pill', but points out that he would 'rather swallow that, than put my self in the hands of those quacks [....] Who puff themselves in the papers and their own trumpets blow, / As proprietors of the Conservative Pill—MESSRS. DERBY Stanley, Edward George Geoffrey Smith, 14th Earl of Derby (1799–1869) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, DIZZY Disraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield (1804–81) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> AND CO.'

Genre:

Illustration, Caricature

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Government, Commerce, Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment

    Depicts the Chancellor of the Exchequer, William E Gladstone Gladstone, William Ewart (1809–98) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, presenting a large pill marked 'Increased Income Tax' to John Bull, who is depicted as a sick man clad in a dressing gown with his feet in a bowl of water. 'DR. GL–DST–NE' urges John Bull to 'swallow it at once, and it will relieve your chest [i.e. the Treasury Treasury
Close   View the register entry >>]'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Discovery, Medical Practitioners, Matter Theory, Chemistry, Language

    Following a report in a newspaper of a 'grand dinner' given by the 'medical profession' to E M Lescarbault Lescarbault, E M (fl. 1860) Crowe 1998
Close   View the register entry >>, 'the discoverer of a new planet between Mercury and the Sun', the author doubts the truth of this story because medical practitioners are unlikely to honour astronomical discovery, and 'prescribe physic irrespective of the influence of the stars' although they do use the mineral mercury. Assuming that 'planet' has been mistaken for 'pill', speculates on the possibility that sun may symbolize gold, and suggests that Lescarbault's 'pill' may be a medicinal compound containing mercury, gold, and other substances. Concludes by comparing the number of new pills unfavourably with the number of astronomical discoveries.

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:

Medical Practitioners, Human Development

    Shows a young woman standing in front of two children. After learning that the woman is the new family nurse, one child informs her that he 'can only be managed with kindness' so should 'get some sponge cakes and oranges at once'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Publishing, Invention, Progress, Manufactories, Lecturing

    Discusses Frederick C Calvert's Calvert, Frederick Crace (1819–73) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> recent Royal Institution Royal Institution of Great Britain
Close   View the register entry >> lecture on calico printing (a version of which was published as Calvert 1858–62 Calvert, Frederick Crace 1858–62. 'On the Influence of Science on the Art of Calico-Printing', Proceedings of the Royal Institution of Great Britain, 3, 201–205
Close   View the register entry >>). Draws attention to Calvert's claim that this form of printing is so dominant in England that 'the number of yards of printed calico exported would reach twice around the Globe'. Noting how Ariel in William Shakespeare's Shakespeare, William (1564–1616) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Tempest could put a 'girdle around the earth in forty minutes', believes Manchester cotton machinery could perform the same task with calico in six months.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Photography, Charlatanry

    Shows a photographer and a 'Clerical Old Gentleman' standing outside the photographer's studio. The photographer urges: 'C'rrect Likeness warranted at this Establishment, Sir; Frame and Glass included, and Brandy and Water always on the Table!'.

Genre:

Announcement, Spoof

Subjects:

Government, Politics, Medical Treatment, Quakery, Disease, Health

    A response to the new Reform Bill which Lord John Russell Russell, Lord John, 1st Earl Russell (1792–1878) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> had introduced into Parliament Houses of Parliament
Close   View the register entry >> on 1 March. The spoof advertisement is from Dr John Russell, 'Graduate of the University of Edinburgh University of Edinburgh
Close   View the register entry >>, original co-patentee of that celebrated remedy GREY Grey, Charles, 1st Baron Grey, 1st Viscount Howick, and 2nd Earl Grey (1764–1845) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> AND CO.'S Specific'. It puffs 'the new PURIFYING REFORM PILL', offering 'A MILD CONSTITUTIONAL ALTERNATIVE', which repairs, invigorates and exonerates without causing the 'dreadful shocks of the constitution' following the 'desperate measures' used by 'inexperienced Practitioners'. Denies claims made by 'interested Parties' that it is inert, pointing to the 'innocuous nature of its components' which do not mean 'confinement, or change of diet of regimen'. The advertiser warns against 'Unprincipled Quacks and Pretenders' whose 'Nostrums', if taken by the public, 'would undermine and destroy' the constitution. Adds that the label of the medicine, 'PALMERSTON Temple, Henry John, 3rd Viscount Palmerston (1784–1865) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, RUSSELL AND CO.', has a government stamp which cannot be forged.

Genre:

Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Progress

People mentioned:

Joseph Whitworth Whitworth, Sir Joseph, 1st Baronet (1803–87) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

    Reports that the Whitworth 80-pound gun can, under the most 'favourable circumstances', only 'snuff a candle at the distance of ten miles'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Adulteration, Nutrition, Pharmaceuticals, Cultural Geography

    Discusses an extract from an article in the Morning Post Morning Post and Daily Advertising Pamphlet (1772–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> on the 'vinous element' of Britain's free trade treaty with France, which observes that few English brewers based in Paris or native French brewers have been able to make proper bitter beer. Suggests that French pharmacists would not experience difficulty in making bitter, because, like the 'respectable British chemist and druggist', they would use 'materia medica' to complete the task. However, warns of the dangers of confusing the processes for making beer and for making medicines.

Genre:

Song, Drollery

Subjects:

Transport, Engineering

    In the wake of the Anglo-French treaty on free trade, this song is sung 'by that eminent Comedian, LOUIS NAPOLEON Napoleon III, Emperor of France (originally Louis Napoléon (Charles Louis Napoléon Bonaparte)) (1808–73) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>, on the great theatre of Europe', in which the French leader refers to the canal scheme of Ferdinand, vicomte de Lesseps Lesseps, Ferdinand, vicomte de (1805–94) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>, that he must 'keep afloat / Without risking too much in so leaky a boat'

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Language, Homeopathy

    Claims that a medical student, having read Ruskin 1859 Ruskin, John 1859. The Two Paths: Being Lectures on Art and its Applications to Decoration and Manufacture, Delivered in 1858–9, London: Smith, Elder, and Co.
Close   View the register entry >>, has confessed that he too could not choose between 'two paths'—'whether to turn allo-path or homeo-path'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Mental Illness, Medical Treatment, Education

    Discusses an advertisement in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> from a surgeon wishing to 'meet with an idiotic or imbecile patient'. Puzzled by this advertisement since it believes most medical men have problems convincing patients why they should follow 'the diet and regimen prescribed in compliance with natural laws', and that they regard most patients as 'idiots and imbeciles'.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Politics, Invention, Measurement, Government

    Responds to Lord John Russell's Russell, Lord John, 1st Earl Russell (1792–1878) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> introduction of the Reform Bill into the House of Commons House of Commons
Close   View the register entry >> on 1 March, proposing a £6 qualification for the franchise for towns. The poem explores the unprecedented scope of the measure as if it were a new piece of artillery. Noting that these are the days of 'social and mechanical' wonders, considers Russell's 'long range electoral' to be an invention that supersedes Charles W Lancaster's Lancaster, Charles William (1820–78) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> gun, William G Armstrong's Armstrong, Sir William George, Baron Armstrong of Cragside (1810–1900) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> improvement on Lancaster's weapon, and Joseph Whitworth's Whitworth, Sir Joseph, 1st Baronet (1803–87) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> precision instruments and gun with double the range of Armstrong's. Punch compares this development of increasingly long-range instruments to the extension of the range of 'franchise canons', beginning with the days of Charles Grey (2nd Earl Grey) Grey, Charles, 1st Baron Grey, 1st Viscount Howick, and 2nd Earl Grey (1764–1845) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, when Russell was only allowed to 'let the gun off', to the present when Russell is trying to 'out-do all that's been since projected', including the Chartists' 'five-barrelled gun' and Benjamin Disraeli's Disraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield (1804–81) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> 'late ten-pound brass cannon', whose firing 'floored the firing-party'. Draws attention to the fact that, although the gun appears so 'trifling', it has enormous 'propelling power'; its cost will not be paid for by the government (but the public). Believes the gun will eventually 'make startling practice' and launch its shot well beyond 'the far-off post marked "Household Suffrage"', to the pole of 'Universal Suffrage'. Concludes, however, by wondering whether 'such practice' will be achieved by such a long-range invention.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Military Technology, Politics, Government

    Shows Lord John Russell Russell, Lord John, 1st Earl Russell (1792–1878) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> as an artillery officer igniting a cannon marked 'REFORM BILL'. Playing on the different meanings of the word 'pounds', the political 'range' of the gun is clearly being tested, as it points into a bay containing flags marked '6 pounds Suffrage', 'Household Suffrage', and 'Universal Suffrage'.

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Religion, Miracle, Supernaturalism, Charlatanry, Sanitation, Disease, Belief

    Reports on Pope Pius IX's Pius IX, Pope (1792–1878) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> alleged sale of his relics, peepshows, miracles, 'and other valuable effects', including 'the Winking Picture of Rimini' and the 'Blood of Januarius'. Points out that all these items 'will be furnished with a table of instructions, showing how to do the trick', and that the pope will be accompanying the sale with lessons in 'holy juggling' and making sure that miracles, including the liquefaction of the blood of St Januarius Januarius, Saint (or San Gennaro) (d. c. 305) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>, proceed 'smoothly, and that the dodge be kept in the dark'. Goes on to claim that the 'hair-shirt of St. Filthius' is to be sold, and while 'the odour of sanctity will be perceived to cling to it', it was washed to prevent infection.

Genre:

Travelogue, Drollery

Subjects:

Physical Geography, Menageries

Institutions mentioned:

Burford's Panorama, Burford's Panorama, Leicester Square
Close   View the register entry >> Wombwell's menagerie Wombwell's Menagerie
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Politics

People mentioned:

Joseph Whitworth Whitworth, Sir Joseph, 1st Baronet (1803–87) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Regular Feature, Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Politics, War, Government, Cultural Geography, Education

    Reporting on a House of Lords House of Lords
Close   View the register entry >> debate on the government's proposal to reform the Army Army
Close   View the register entry >> purchase system, criticises the argument of George C Bingham (3rd Earl of Lucan) Bingham, George Charles, 3rd Earl of Lucan (1800–88) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> against making army officers more 'scientific' like their foreign counterparts. Urges that 'it is precisely the scientific fellows', rather than the 'gloriously brave and loyal LUCANS, that we want, as our officers and men are much too precious articles to be wasted in obedience to the orders of unscientific parties'. (135)

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Language

    Announcing the recently published correspondence of Alexander von Humboldt Humboldt, Alexander von (Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von) (1769–1859) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> (Humboldt 1860 Humboldt, Alexander von 1860. Briefe von Alexander von Humboldt an Varnhagen von Ense aus den jahren 1827 bis 1858: Nebst Auszügen aus Varnhagen's Tagebüchern, und Briefen von Varnhagen und Andern an Humboldt, Leipzig: F.A. Brockhaus
Close   View the register entry >>), discusses a letter from Prince Albert Albert [Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha], prince consort, consort of Queen Victoria (1819–61) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> to Humboldt which praises his Kosmos Humboldt, Alexander von 1845–62. Kosmos: Entwurf einer physischen Weltbeschreibung, 5 vols, Stuttgart; Tübingen: Cotta
Close   View the register entry >> but also appears to have misquoted the natural philosopher as claiming that heaven consisted of circling 'star-terraces' instead of 'star-carpets'. Thinks Humboldt was unreasonable in taking offence at the prince's mistake because both 'metaphors are of the same order as the word "livery" used for foliage'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Palaeontology, Comparative Philology, Lecturing, Belief

    Discusses an abstract of a report of a lecture given at the Museum of Practical Geology Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn Street
Close   View the register entry >> by Richard Owen Owen, Richard (1804–92) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, 'the British CUVIER Cuvier, Georges (1769–1832) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>'. Draws attention to Owen's apparent proof 'beyond controversy' that the British lion existed in 'former times' and that the British unicorn really existed. Thinks this claim will make geology less of a 'melancholy material science' and may lead to 'discoveries demonstrative of the truths of heraldry', including the existence of wyverns and griffins. Argues that the 'remains of the pterodactyle' will confirm nursery tales and legends.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Government

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Phrenology, Adulteration, Narcotics, Nutrition, Disease

    Following an article in the Calcutta Englishman Calcutta Englishman (1820–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>, notes striking similarities between the Indian 'Kookees' tribe and 'Cookies' (cooks): they are both pests, they have similar 'propensities and passions' (as indicated by their phrenological 'bumps'), they are both destructive (they break objects) and cruel (either by organising violent raids or by slow poisoning and bad cookery), and they both have 'plundering propensities'.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Electricity, Manufactories, Spiritualism, Government

    Reports on a 'Debate in Committee on the Bill for the Compulsory Sale of Silver Plate and the Sale of Albata Substitutes' and the rejection of Obadiah Elkington's Elkington, Sir Obadiah (fl. 1860) PU1/38/16/1
Close   View the register entry >> amendment that electro-plate should substitute for Albata (159). Also claims that 'DR. KAHN' (possibly an allusion to Joseph Kahn Kahn, Joseph (fl. 1857) Altick 1978
Close   View the register entry >>) successfully moved for the appointment of a committee 'to inquire into the present system of Spirit-Rapping, with a view to its being rendered available for Diplomatic purposes'.

Genre:

Drama, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Health, Commerce

Genre:

Announcement, Review

Subjects:

Homeopathy, Nutrition

    Following an announcement for a work entitled Homeopathic Treatment of Indigestion, argues that indigestion is a disease that homeopathy can cure since, following the principle of like curing like when given in infinitesimal doses, 'the minutest possible doses of mock-turtle' fed to an alderman will relieve indigestion.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Religious Authority, Astrology, Mesmerism, Spiritualism, Scientific Practitioners, Chemistry, Astronomy

Publications cited:

Tablet Tablet (1840–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

    Insists that Roman Catholics share with 'Mesmerists, Spirit-Rappers, and Astrologers', the tendency to be 'terribly offended by any ridicule of their persuasions'. Contrasts this response to that of 'men of science', in particular the chemist, who does not become 'angry with a shallow public for laughing at any discovery which he may happen to publish', and the astronomer who does not become vexed when 'the marvels of the heavens which he discovers are received with smiles'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Steamships

Institutions mentioned:

Royal Navy Royal Navy
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Regular Feature, Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Museums, Natural History, Government, Politics

    Reporting on a 'long Museum debate' in the House of Commons House of Commons
Close   View the register entry >>, disagrees with the view of Henry J Temple (3rd Viscount Palmerston) Temple, Henry John, 3rd Viscount Palmerston (1784–1865) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> that the best way to organise the British Museum British Museum
Close   View the register entry >> would be to 'clear out all the stuffed creatures and the rest of Natural History, and so leave room for articles of human manufacture'. Mr Punch thinks the 'study of natural history' is much more interesting than the latter.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Gender, Invention, Military Technology, Telegraphy, Commerce

    Condemns 'you men' for only 'studying and scheming to promote your creature comforts', such as 'Big Ships' (a reference to the SS Great Eastern SS Great Eastern
Close   View the register entry >>), 'breech-loaders', and Armstrong Armstrong, Sir William George, Baron Armstrong of Cragside (1810–1900) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> guns, but not inventing anything for women. Proceeds to criticise men's invention of the London District Telegraph Company London District Telegraph Company
Close   View the register entry >> as a means of sending messages 'to yourselves', and because sending messages is expensive and really a way of 'killing time'. Thinks men's promises that the 'wires will be open to the ladies' is a 'paltry' excuse, because this assumes women want to send telegrams. Observes that the district telegraph is clearly not meant for women because its stations are not located where they congregate—i.e. in financial institutions rather than shops.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Quackery, Medical Treatment, Commerce, Expertise, Professionalization, Boundary Formation, Periodicals

    Identifying Mr Punch as the 'Censor of the Age, the Public, and the Press', notes the letters that he has received from fellow fathers urging him to prevent advertisements from quacks. Condemning the fact that such advertisers falsely proclaim themselves to be 'qualified practitioners', explains that, since 'advertising is forbidden by the rules of the medical profession', advertising quacks are not regarded as 'professional men'. Points out that since quacks do not cure and true medical practice results in healing, quacks certainly do not qualify as medical practitioners. Although the author recognises that these statements are 'stale', he believes that they need to be repeated for those who 'have not quite put faith in them'—in particular the 'unenlightened classes' and 'rustics' who fall prey to quacks. Surmises that since newspapers get paid to advertise quacks, they are unlikely to take notice of this plea. Appeals to those who are offended by medical advertisements to stop buying the offending periodicals.

Genre:

Dialogue, Spoof

Subjects:

Disease, Health, Meteorology

    Comprises a spoof conversation between a healthy man, Robustus Jones, and his invalid friend, Invalidus Smith. Written to convey his congested sinuses and cough, Smith's utterances reveal his alarming range of seasonal and other afflictions including 'violelt cold il by head', toothache, tic doloreux and 'brolchitis'. He details more of his symptoms and complains about the unseasonable coldness of the weather, dismissing Charles Kingsley's Kingsley, Charles (1819–75) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> statement (upheld by Smith) that 'Nor' Easters [...] breed brave men' and the accuracy of quotes (taken from James Thomson's Thomson, James (1700–48) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Seasons Thomson, James 1730. The Seasons, London: J. Millan and A. Millar
Close   View the register entry >>) portraying spring's 'Etherial mildness'. Smith finally invites Jones home for a fortifying meal, but Jones protests that he cannot taste anything.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Metallurgy, Instruments, Time, Government

    Reports that the 'celebrated Metallurgist', John Percy Percy, John (1817–89) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, has been analysing part of the cracked bell 'Big Ben' in the Palace of Westminster Palace of Westminster
Close   View the register entry >>, but 'declines to infer of what other parts of him may be made, a decision creditable alike of the learned philosopher's judgment in metals and in men' (189).

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Psychology, Government, Politics

    Argues that Henry J Temple (3rd Viscount Palmerston) Temple, Henry John, 3rd Viscount Palmerston (1784–1865) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> recently fell asleep in the House of Commons House of Commons
Close   View the register entry >>, although during this state of slumber he managed to make some inept remarks in favour of an expensive inquiry into alleged 'corrupt practices at Berwick during the last election'. Evidently Palmerston did not fall asleep but he was deluded and had he been awake he would have seen the error of his ways. Struck by the fact that the House of Commons accepted 'this remarkable case of political somnambulism [...] without hesitation'. Concludes by remarking that the 'sleeping PREMIER' is another of 'those curious cases of gregarious sympathy, and subjection of multitudes to the control of a single mind, of which so many have been described by writers on psychology'.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Politics, Government

    As in Anon, 'The New Russell Six-Pounder', Punch, 38 (1860), 120, this plays on the analogy between the range of new armaments and that of Lord John Russell's Russell, Lord John, 1st Earl Russell (1792–1878) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Reform Bill. Notes that while William G Armstrong's Armstrong, Sir William George, Baron Armstrong of Cragside (1810–1900) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> 'twelve-pounder' will outreach Joseph Whitworth's Whitworth, Sir Joseph, 1st Baronet (1803–87) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> 'three-pounder', the range of 'Russell's six-pounder' (a reference to the £6 qualification for the franchise in towns) 'Bids fair to be the longest and lowest of all'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Mathematics, Technology, Environmentalism, Music, Sound

    Invites Charles Babbage Babbage, Charles (1792–1871) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> to 'ask his calculating machine' to work out whether the hurdy-gurdy, 'an instrument of torture inflicted on Europe by Savoy', will make more noise, 'now that LOUIS NAPOLEON Napoleon III, Emperor of France (originally Louis Napoléon (Charles Louis Napoléon Bonaparte)) (1808–73) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>, by his recent little turn of annexation, has converted it into a French organ'. This is a reference to Napoleon's recent annexation of the Italian states of Savoy and Nice for France.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Ornithology, Animal Behaviour, Human Species, Politics

Publications cited:

Coleman 1860 Coleman, William Stephens 1860. British Butterflies: Figures and Descriptions of Every Native Species, with an Account of Butterfly Development, Structure, Habits, Localities, Mode of Capture and Preservation [...] London: G. Routledge
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary; Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Nutrition, Adulteration, Health, Railways, Medical Treatment, Nationalism, Cultural Geography

    Discusses the remarks made in the House of Commons House of Commons
Close   View the register entry >> by the statesman Charles Buxton Buxton, Charles (1822–71) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> who denied that London brewers were hostile to the beer improvement bill and that they felt competition with French wine and porter might 'check adulteration'. Punch thinks these are strong grounds for supporting the bill. Criticises Buxton for failing to distinguish 'getting drunk on beer, and getting drunk upon cheap claret', the former being a 'light matter, and with Englishmen a national and natural propensity', the latter being a 'most unnatural offence' and a 'deed of the blackest dye'. Responding to Samuel M Peto's Peto, Sir Samuel Morton (1809–89) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> claim that wine-drinking labourers abroad are less susceptible to intoxication, points out that it would be difficult to 'persuade an English workman to give up English beer'. The illustration shows a male figure wearing a beer barrel and sitting next to a large vessel labelled 'Doctors Stuff'. The figure complains that the more he's doctored the worse he gets.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Manufactories, Industrial Chemistry, Human Development, Disease

Genre:

Regular Feature, Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Human Development, Industrial Chemistry, Manufactories, Government

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Chemistry, Analogy, Government

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Military Technology, Disease, Commerce

    After upholding the robustness of the 'Wood-Walls of Old England'—the apparently robust planks used by the Royal Navy Royal Navy
Close   View the register entry >>—points out that such material is infested with 'Dry-rot and decay, sap and fungus'. Therefore repeats a lament for the 'decayed Wooden Walls' of 'Old England'. Identifies 'Greed' as the 'burrowing worm' that laid its eggs 'in ships' stuff and ships' store'.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Steamships, Manufactories, Government

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Industry, Technology, Nationalism, Cultural Geography, Progress, Steamships, Railways, Telegraphy, Machinery, Manufactories, Gender, Race, Commerce

    Written in the style of a boastful Yankee, responds to an extract from an article in the New York Herald New York Herald (1887–1900+) British Library Catalogue
Close   View the register entry >> which claims that the United States of America is now rich enough to 'do without' John Bull's money and can 'whip him in a matter of muscle' as well as inventions, including steamboats, india-rubber shoes, city railways, sewing-machines, the electric telegraph, and reading machines. The writer agrees, emphasising that 'In steam en-gines and goloshes we air no small snakes, and we beat you ind and ind in any game you're up to [...] or any other skientific sort o' time-slaughter'. Admits that while 'Our steamers air first-chop [...] they du bust up', but boasts that unlike the English 'we don't turn our young women into sewing machines'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Morality, Medical Treatment

    Discusses a statement in an article in the Salisbury and Winchester Journal Salisbury and Winchester Journal (1775–1900+) British Library Newspaper Catalogue
Close   View the register entry >> which presents an example of the 'gross excess of duty' exercised by poor law medical officers. Holds that such medical practitioners should not treat workhouse patients with 'the same amount of attendance and physic' as respectable people, and points out that poor law guardians 'desire to impress on the mind of every medical officer' the maxim 'Above all things no zeal'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Disease, Military Technology, Light, Chemistry

    Gleaning from 'elementary works on Chemistry' that rotten wood emits light in the dark, anticipates that the decaying British gun-boats will shine on a moonless night.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Politics, War

    Observes that when 'Doctors of Physic fall out' over the treatment for a 'sick man' and both declare that 't'others treatment' will prove fatal, 'the patient comes round / By the Vis medicatrix Naturae'. Likens this situation to that of John P Hennessy Hennessy, Sir John Pope (1834–91) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, who blames the 'grim death' gripping Italy on Piedmont, while others think it 'a case of manslaughter / 'Gainst BOMBA [King Ferdinand II Ferdinand II, King of the Two Sicilies (1810–59) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> of the Two Sicilies] and old PIO NONO [Pope Pius IX Pius IX, Pope (1792–1878) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>]'. As a 'friend of the patient', Mr Punch advises England to 'kick both doctors down-stairs, / And to nature hand o'er the sick man'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Mathematics, Exploration

People mentioned:

Francis L McClintock McClintock, Sir Francis Leopold (1819–1907) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Education, Mathematics, Universities

    Discusses a letter to the Morning Post Morning Post and Daily Advertising Pamphlet (1772–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> in which the author complains about the difficulty of tackling questions in the 'English and Mathematical Papers' of military examinations, papers which he thinks are 'much better adapted for a Cambridge University of Cambridge
Close   View the register entry >> or Oxford University of Oxford
Close   View the register entry >> examination' than for school-leavers. Argues that the 'English and Mathematical Papers' in question appear to be equally well adapted to puzzle Oxford and Cambridge students as 'youths of seventeen or eighteen'. Concludes by urging the military authorities to recognise that plucky blockheads such as the author of the letter can be brave and that there should be 'regiments of "Heavies"' who have poor command of spelling and grammar.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Hospitals, Medical Treatment, Disease, Government, Commerce, Class

    Discusses the dire financial situation of the Brompton Hospital Brompton Hospital, Frimley
Close   View the register entry >>, the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Royal Orthopoedic Hospital
Close   View the register entry >>, and St Mary's Hospital St Mary's Hospital
Close   View the register entry >>, whose serious debts were announced at the 'Anniversary Festivals' of the hospitals, and which suggested the need to suspend some of the medical facilities. Urges the Chancellor of the Exchequer, William E Gladstone Gladstone, William Ewart (1809–98) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, not to view the 'decay' of hospitals and consequent misery of the sick with 'indifference'. After arguing that Gladstone's 'Tenpenny Income-Tax' has not stopped the 'superior classes' from leading decadent lifestyles, suggests that the same burden might be ruining the hospitals.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Heat, Chemistry, Politics

    Discusses an extract from an article in the Daily Telegraph Daily Telegraph (1856–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> claiming that the waters of the overflowing river Theiss might 'kindle the already smouldering fires of revolution' in Hungary. Urges Michael Faraday Faraday, Michael (1791–1867) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> to direct his attention to this and the Royal Institution Royal Institution of Great Britain
Close   View the register entry >> to obtain bottles of the 'extraordinary liquid'.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Education, Human Development, Instinct, Expertise

    Describing John S Rarey's Rarey, John Solomon (1828–66) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> gentle system of horse-taming, points out that according to Rarey's teaching method, 'horses have quick instincts and highly nervous temperaments; and if we would train them to be tractable and docile, we must train ourselves to treat them with suitable respect'. Emphasises that in order to make the horses obedient, we should befriend them. Adds that Rarey's system 'is improving to the man as well as to the beast, and many a human "savage" might be permanently bettered by it'. Concludes by arguing that a 'school for man- and woman-taming' would be a 'national advantage'.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Spiritualism, Supernaturalism, Miracle, Politics, Periodicals

    Announces that Mr Punch has been completely converted to the 'Spirit Rapping Persuasion' (rather than being a 'half-hearted' spiritualist) after reading the Spiritual Magazine Spiritual Magazine (1860–77) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>. Reveals that the conversion followed an article in the latter periodical attacking Mr Punch's picture of the spirit hand which allegedly helped Emperor Napoleon III Napoleon III, Emperor of France (originally Louis Napoléon (Charles Louis Napoléon Bonaparte)) (1808–73) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> of France perform the action of 'Taking a Sight'. Explains that the editor of the Spiritual Magazine could only have obtained the highly confidential information concerning Mr Punch's picture, had he been given it by a ghost. Proceeds to describe Mr Punch's belief in several other spiritualistic phenomena and concludes by noting his intention to employ ghosts as contributors to Punch Punch (1841–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Nutrition, Disease, Health

    Having noted his enjoyment of eating, the author asks why he suffers 'So much from gout, and bile, and indigestion'. Compares those who 'gorge their brains with erudition' with himself, who has 'o'oerworked' his 'organs of nutrition'.

Genre:

Serial, Essay, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Military Technology

    Describes the use of chain mail and the changing size and shape of shields during the reigns of King Richard I Richard I, King of England, Duke of Normandy and of Aquitaine, and Count of Anjou ('Richard Coeur de Lion') (1157–99) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> and King John John, King of England, and Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy and of Aquitaine, and Count of Anjou (1167–1216) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>. Goes on to explain the apparently gargantuan size of the spears, swords, and others weapons used in this period (illustrated with a depiction of an aristocratic warrior carrying a huge sword). Concludes with a description of the 'arbaleste', a 'kind of crossbow made for discharging from the breast'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Gender, Education, Physiology, Display

    Attacks plans to build a 'Female School of Art and Design' at the South Kensington Museum South Kensington Museum
Close   View the register entry >>, not least because the author thinks that women are 'sufficiently artful and designing by nature'. Speculating on the artefacts likely to be displayed at the proposed school, questions 'whether the show of attractive apparatus and machinery will include hoops and crinoline, in which ridiculous incumbrances those incrementitious adjuncts to natural grace and symmetry have culminated'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Monstrosities, Spiritualism

    Notes from the Northern Ensign Northern Ensign (1850–1900+) BUCOP
Close   View the register entry >> that Captain William Taylor (probably William N Taylor Taylor, William Norton (1798–1888) WBI
Close   View the register entry >>) has reported seeing the 'Sea Serpent'. Considers the monster's consumption of parts of Taylor's vessel to be better than spiritualism.

Genre:

Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Spiritualism, Supernaturalism

Publications cited:

Hume 1840 Hume, David [1840?]. An Essay on Miracles, London: J. Watson
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Advertisement, Spoof

Subjects:

Meteorology, Astronomy

    Announces that owing to 'the Zodiac being taken up for repairs, there will be no Summer or Autumn this year', and that winter will begin on 1 July and terminate 'some time next year'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Putrefaction, Physiology, Nutrition, Narcotics, Politics

    Discusses an extract from Timbs 1859 Timbs, John 1859. Curiosities of Science, Past and Present: A Book for the Old and Young (Things Not Generally Known Familiarly Explained), London: Kent & Co.
Close   View the register entry >> in which the author reports Charles G B Daubeny's Daubeny, Charles Giles Bridle (1795–1867) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> claim that fungi poisonous to one person do not affect another. Warns that all fungi are in a state of putrefaction and thus act as ferments when introduced into the human body. Concludes by noting that it is not just fungi that may be poisonous to one and not another: 'Liberty agrees with Britons [...] but it operates as a poison' on others.