Genre:

Regular Feature, Proceedings, Drollery

Subjects:

Hospitals, Government, Military Technology, Government, Engineering, Government, Politics, Progress, Controversy

    Notes discussion of a bill to move the Queen's Prison Queen's Prison, Southwark
Close   View the register entry >>, the present site of which Punch hopes will be used for St Thomas's Hospital St Thomas's Hospital
Close   View the register entry >>, thus settling the question of where the hospital should be relocated. Proceeds to discuss the extended debate over the 'important question of the week'—the attempt by George C Lewis Lewis, Sir George Cornewall, 2nd Baronet (1806–63) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> to raise £1,200,000 for 'Fortifications of Arsenals'—and whether such defences are needed. (1) Later notes Lewis's defence of his scheme to the House of Lords House of Lords
Close   View the register entry >>, and discusses the debate over the proposed Thames Embankment Thames Embankment
Close   View the register entry >>, a proposal which will be blocked by Walter F Scott (5th Duke of Buccleuch) Scott, Walter Francis Montagu-Douglas-, 5th Duke of Buccleuch and 7th Duke of Queensberry (1806–84) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, owing to its potential destruction of his private garden.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Engineering, Politics, Controversy

    'The DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH'S Scott, Walter Francis Montagu-Douglas-, 5th Duke of Buccleuch and 7th Duke of Queensberry (1806–84) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> opposition to the [proposed] Thames Embankment Thames Embankment
Close   View the register entry >>'.

Genre:

Illustration

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Engineering, Politics, Progress, Controversy

    Shows a kilted figure standing on a river bank, wielding sword and a banner labelled 'Buccleuch and nae Thoroughfare' (a reference to the opposition of Walter F Scott (5th Duke of Buccleuch) Scott, Walter Francis Montagu-Douglas-, 5th Duke of Buccleuch and 7th Duke of Queensberry (1806–84) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> to the proposed Thames Embankment Thames Embankment
Close   View the register entry >>). He attempts to stop a horse-drawn carriage whose driver is told by Mr Punch to ignore the Scotsman.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Mental Illness, Hospitals, Mapping, Instruments, Class

Institutions mentioned:

Army, Army
Close   View the register entry >>Royal Navy Royal Navy
Close   View the register entry >>

    The initial letter forms part of an illustration with a small, long-nosed figure peering through the eyepiece of a theodolite. The text discusses the argument, reported by Prince George (2nd Duke of Cambridge) George (George William Frederick Charles), Prince, 2nd Duke of Cambridge (1819–1904) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, that English soldiers consider it 'derogatory' to 'fight behind walls'. Punch thinks this argument insane, and likewise the notion that English sailors consider it demeaning to fight behind iron plates.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Education, Gender, Colleges, Reasoning, Heroism

    Laments the 'unphilosophical' decision by the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh
Close   View the register entry >>, not to grant doctors' diplomas to women. Thinks that the minority who voted for this change were 'in the right', pointing out that women as well as men have the reasoning powers necessary for medical practice. Expects that a 'female HARVEY Harvey, William (1578–1657) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, SYDENHAM Sydenham, Thomas (1624–89) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, HUNTER Hunter, John (1728–93) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, and ABERNETHY Abernethy, John (1764–1831) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>' will appear once the 'portals of medicine' are opened to her.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Proceedings, Drollery

Subjects:

Engineering, Politics, Progress, Controversy, Military Technology, Government

    Includes further discussion of the resistance of Walter F Scott (5th Duke of Buccleuch) Scott, Walter Francis Montagu-Douglas-, 5th Duke of Buccleuch and 7th Duke of Queensberry (1806–84) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> and his supporters to the construction of the Thames Embankment Thames Embankment
Close   View the register entry >>. Discusses developments in the debate on the 'Fortifications Bill', including a 'spirited speech' in defence of the bill by Henry J Temple (3rd Viscount Palmerston) Temple, Henry John, 3rd Viscount Palmerston (1784–1865) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> (12).

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Quackery, Charlatanry

    Noting an advertisement for the 'twin medicaments' (pills and ointment) sold by Thomas Holloway Holloway, Thomas (1800–83) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, suggests a number of 'twinned' consitituents from which they might be made, such as 'spermaceti and beeswax'. Submits that Holloway is the twin brother of the late James Morison Morison, James (1770–1840) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, and that their mother was 'HUMBUG'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Engineering, Politics, Progress, Controversy

    Opens by attacking the 'Scotch Duke'—a reference to the Walter F Scott (5th Duke of Buccleuch) Scott, Walter Francis Montagu-Douglas-, 5th Duke of Buccleuch and 7th Duke of Queensberry (1806–84) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>—for his opposition to 'popular advancement, to the march of intellect and reform' and his attempts to dispossess people of their 'right of way' in such places as the Scottish glens and the banks of the Thames (a reference to the proposed Thames Embankment Thames Embankment
Close   View the register entry >>).

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Race, Amusement, Travel, Cultural Geography, Ethnology

    Discusses a report in the Morning Post Morning Post and Daily Advertising Pamphlet (1772–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> relating that King Kamehameha IV Kamehameha IV, King of the Sandwich Islands (1834–63) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> of Hawaii (then known as the Sandwich Islands) delighted in his prime minister wearing Scottish costume. Speculates on how much the same dress will be enjoyed by 'aborigines of the Coast of Africa', and urges that missionaries should accordingly use it for travelling and for charming the natives away from 'prostate barbarism'.

Genre:

Ballad, Spoof

Subjects:

Engineering, Politics, Progress, Controversy, Architecture

    Written in a Scottish dialect, the author describes the battle of Walter F Scott (5th Duke of Buccleuch) Scott, Walter Francis Montagu-Douglas-, 5th Duke of Buccleuch and 7th Duke of Queensberry (1806–84) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> against moves to construct a Thames Embankment Thames Embankment
Close   View the register entry >>. Opens by noting Buccleuch's opposition to William F Cowper Cowper, William Francis, 1st Baron Mount-Temple (1811–88) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> and Joseph Paxton Paxton, Sir Joseph (1803–65) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> who 'ha 'ta'en Whitehall-Roadway up' and after a detailed account of Buccleuch's struggles concludes by noting the destruction of the architect James Pennethorne's Pennethorne, Sir James (1801–71) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> plans, and the vanquishing of Buccleuch.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Physical Geography, Mapping, Publishing, Cultural Geography, Class

    Reports that, after seeing an advertisement for a 'Select Atlas', Mr Punch described his interest in a socially exclusive atlas that would only include 'countries in which a gentleman can really take an interest', and thus avoid being another of those 'fat' books so detested by Mr Punch. Playing on the connotations of the word selection, suggests that 'A good deal in the way of civilisation might be done by "cutting" all nations that do not conduct themselves with grace and decorum'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Gender, Education, Medical Practitioners

    Responds to a claim in a 'weekly Penny Guide to Politics and Social Sciences' that 'the ladies of England are no better than they ought to be' because they still send for doctors when needed. Observes that 'Penny Wisdom' urges women to send not for a physician but for the fictional Mrs Gamp, and warns that most 'women of England' remain unconvinced that receiving advice from a male doctor is 'unwomanly'.

Genre:

Advertisement, Spoof

Subjects:

Meteorology

    Urges the 'CLERK OF THE WEATHER' (i.e. the imaginary functionary supposed to control the weather) to 'return to his disconsolate office' after an unaccountable leave of absence. Promises to discharge Robert Fitzroy Fitzroy, Robert (1805–65) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> if the clerk has been jealous of him.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Proceedings, Drollery

Subjects:

Engineering, Politics, Progress, Government

Institutions mentioned:

Thames Embankment Thames Embankment
Close   View the register entry >>

    Notes the continuation of the 'Embankment Debate' and a related dispute over the architecture of buildings to be erected on the embankment. Also notes details of the 'Fortifications Debate'.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Amusement, Scientific Practitioners, Methodology, Reasoning

    Seeking to give advice on procuring 'good boots', suggests identifying who makes the boots of Michael Faraday Faraday, Michael (1791–1867) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> or Richard Owen Owen, Richard (1804–92) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, since 'a philosopher should be the best judge of the fitness of things, including boots', although such a person may 'buy their boots ready made'. Later, speculates on why 'no boots are ever named after men of eminence in science and letters', including Isambard K Brunel Brunel, Isambard Kingdom (1806–59) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, Robert Stephenson Stephenson, Robert (1803–59) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, and Justus von Liebig Liebig, Justus von (1803–73) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Politics, Periodicals

    Referring to Edwin Lankester's Lankester, Edwin (1814–74) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> recent appointment as coroner, this article boasts that Mr Punch's support for Lankester has boosted sales of the issue of Punch Punch (1841–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> in which his 'pronouncement' appeared, and notes that such backing made Lankester's victory a foregone conclusion.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Chemistry, Discovery

    Notes the discovery by German chemists of a starch that can be converted into gunpowder—a claim that prompts Punch to observe that should the substance be used in war it 'will prove a stiffer for many a tall fellow'.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Proceedings, Drollery

Subjects:

Engineering, Mental Illness, Politics, Government

    Notes the continuation of the 'Fortifications debate' and the passage of the 'Lunacy Reform Bill' through its committee stage.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Comparative Philology, Superstition, Meteorology, Religious Authority, Religion, Unbelief, Periodicals, Natural Theology, Observatories, Education, Government

    Ironically upholding the causal relationship between the weather on St Swithun's Swithun, St. (d. 863) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> day and the succeeding forty days as a 'pious opinion', asks for the Tablet Tablet (1840–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> editor's opinions on an Athenaeum Athenaeum (1828–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> report containing the 'dangerous if not pernicious statement' that there is no meteorological evidence supporting this tradition. The author seeks to prove his piety by condemning the Royal Observatory, Greenwich Royal Observatory, Greenwich
Close   View the register entry >>—where such evidence was produced—as 'one of those pestilent institutions where the Book of Nature is read and interpreted under no condition of restraint or guidance by ecclesiastical authority'. Proceeds to condemn observers at Greenwich for publishing facts which 'ought never to have taken place' and points out that this contradiction of Catholic doctrine would 'be impossible under a system of Catholic teaching', a system being blocked by Henry J Temple (3rd Viscount Palmerston) Temple, Henry John, 3rd Viscount Palmerston (1784–1865) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, the 'persecuting PREMIER'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Engineering, Accidents

    Thinks the Metropolitan Railway Metropolitan Railway Company
Close   View the register entry >> has been so frequently 'inundated' with rain that it is better called the 'Underwater Railway' than the 'Underground Railway'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Crime, Gender, Exhibitions, Machinery

    Lamenting the excessive size of women's petticoats', discusses the case of a Quaker arrested for attempting to pick the pocket of a lady visiting the 'Machine Room' of the International Exhibition International Exhibition (1862), London
Close   View the register entry >>. Notes that the counsel for the accused defended his client by stressing that he was visiting 'his brother's machinery' at the exhibition and, as a man of 'considerable property', had no financial incentive to commit the robbery. Reveals that the accused was released following strong evidence of his good character, but Punch describes ways in which people may avoid being accused of picking pockets.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery; Letter, Spoof

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [2]

Subjects:

Invention, Technology, Religious Authority, Exhibitions

    Surprised that critics of the International Exhibition International Exhibition (1862), London
Close   View the register entry >> have not drawn the attention of the public to 'an exquisitely carved pulpit' designed to deal with the problem of 'long sermons'. The illustrations and remaining text reveal that the pulpit's cover is designed to fall down on the preacher and thus prevent him from speaking or being heard—a technique that the author suspects is caused by 'machinery'. Hopes his letter will boost the inventor's sales to 'metropolitan congregations'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Engineering, Politics, Controversy, Progress

    'The Duke of Buccleuch Scott, Walter Francis Montagu-Douglas-, 5th Duke of Buccleuch and 7th Duke of Queensberry (1806–84) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>'—a reference to Buccleuch's opposition to plans to build a Thames Embankment Thames Embankment
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

J L 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:

Reading, Physical Geography, Nutrition

    Shows a 'Fond Parent' observing a boy who has fallen asleep in a chair and dropped his book on the floor. The mother surmises that the son has read himself to sleep with a book on 'Geography' or 'something of that sort', although the title of the work, 'Cookery Book', is turned away from her.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Proceedings, Drollery

Subjects:

Engineering, Politics, Controversy, Government

    Discusses the House of Lords House of Lords
Close   View the register entry >> debate on the 'Thames Embankment Thames Embankment
Close   View the register entry >> Bill' which resulted in Walter F Scott (5th Duke of Buccleuch) Scott, Walter Francis Montagu-Douglas-, 5th Duke of Buccleuch and 7th Duke of Queensberry (1806–84) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> accepting the decision of the House of Commons House of Commons
Close   View the register entry >>, despite his 'great practical objections to the scheme'. (42) Later notes the continuation of the 'Fortifications Debate' in the Lords.

Genre:

Diary, Spoof

Subjects:

Exhibitions, Physiognomy, Phrenology, Mineralogy, Engineering, Statistics, Gender, Representation, Evolution, Human Development

    Describes his visit to the International Exhibition International Exhibition (1862), London
Close   View the register entry >>. Opens by insisting that it is impossible to see the exhibition 'systematically', unless one possesses 'indomitable patience and a regular "grinding" organ of Individuality' owned by such individuals as the 'editor of Bradshaw's Railway Guide' or the 'Perpetual "Grand Vice" of the Statistical Club Statistical Club
Close   View the register entry >>'. Notes that he prefers to take things as he finds them in 'the World's Fair', and goes on to describe how an aristocratic woman made the 'unreasonable' suggestion of writing a Punch article about some 'mineral products' the correspondent was examining at the exhibition. Describes the crowds who gathered to see 'the piping bullfinch of Switzerland' and the 'peculiar' fascination that the English possess for ascending high places, a tendency illustrated by the number of Englishmen climbing the exhibition's 'Tasmanian wood trophy'. Later describes a display staged by 'An ingenious German' to illustrate his theories about human growth and the height which we should reach at particular stages of life. The author considers these theories 'far-fetched'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Human Development, Nutrition, Health, Medical Treatment

    Discusses a report in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> of the long life and death of Étienne D, duc de Pasquier Pasquier, Étienne Denis, duc de (1767–1862) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>. Considers the reasons for the long lives of celebrated individuals. Links Pasquier's long life to his habit of eating a great deal of everything that 'should do him good', and the celebrated Thomas Parr's Parr, Thomas ('Old Parr') (d. 1635) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> to the fact that he did not take any medicines. Noting that 'Sauces and spice, and all meats nice, / Are what the greatest men are made of', believes that Pasquier's notorious 'good-living' demonstrates the connections between on the one hand, good food, and on the other, mental and bodily health, and that his example should be followed.

Genre:

Proceedings, Spoof

Subjects:

Societies, Scientific Practitioners, Charlatanry, Astronomy, Zoology, Animal Behaviour, Geology, Mineralogy, Physical Geography, Mapping, Statistics, Religion

    Consists of spoof reports of the proceedings of astronomical, zoological, geological, geographical, statistical, and theological societies. The proceedings of each society typically reveal that members' names are based on their area of expertise, and that their pursuits are either fantastically chimerical or completely banal. At the 'Astronomical' society, for example, Herr von Orbitz read a paper proposing a scheme for helping ships sail in 'Great Circles' by connecting them to comets' tails; at the 'Geological' society, there was a paper on 'Use of Basalt for pickling purposes' and a much-debated exhibition of 'thunderbolts found on Mount Olympus'; while at the 'Statistical' society, Mr Dumdiddy described his work on the 'number of persons who were asleep in London at half-past 11 p.m.'. The participants in these societies are also represented as charlatans: Mr Descartes of the 'Geographical' society, for example, produced a map of the interior of Madagascar, a country that it was later revealed he had never visited.

Genre:

Announcement, Spoof

Subjects:

Environmentalism, Botany, Politics, Government, Pharmaceuticals, Utilitarianism, Agriculture

    Written in the legal language of an official act of Parliament Houses of Parliament
Close   View the register entry >>, this document presents the reasons why the Commissioners of Woods and Forests Commissioners of Woods and Forests
Close   View the register entry >> should be 'authorised and empowered' to sell waste lands to the 'Best Bidder' and thus enclose such lands. It opens by noting that, following the petition from 'PETER BELL, of the County of Cumberland, Potter' (a reference to William Wordsworth's Wordsworth, William (1770–1850) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> poem, 'Peter Bell'), the primrose and other flowers found on common ground are 'not any other things, except in as far as they may be used and applied in the Arts and Sciences', and are 'either noxious weeds, or at least unserviceable for the food of Man or Beast'. Its claims regarding the uselessness of the very waste grounds that 'nourish the vain fancies and conceits of unprofitable Writers and Poets' support its argument for turning such lands 'to some Profitable Account', such as 'Arable or Building Land', or 'Game Preserves'.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Proceedings, Drollery

Subjects:

Pharmaceuticals, Chemistry, Scientific Practitioners,

    Reporting the successful promotion by James Parke (Baron Wensleydale) Parke, Sir James, Baron Wensleydale (1782–1868) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> of a clause for exempting pharmaceutical chemists from serving on juries, praises the argument on the grounds that the 'superior' class of chemist 'ought not to be called away from his responsibilities'. (52) Later notes George C Lewis's Lewis, Sir George Cornewall, 2nd Baronet (1806–63) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> support for the Armstrong Armstrong, Sir William George, Baron Armstrong of Cragside (1810–1900) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> gun, and further remarks on the recently passed Thames Embankment Thames Embankment
Close   View the register entry >> Bill.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Hunting, Government, Politics, Breeding

    Reports on 'some interesting experiments on incubation' undertaken by country gentlemen, who also support the recent 'Bill for the protection of Game' and who have apparently 'succeeded in hatching poached eggs'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Exhibitions

    Complains to his cousins about the 'uncomfortable' state of London, notably the overcrowding, the fast and dangerous traffic, and the high price of food. In a postscript, he denies that the International Exhibition International Exhibition (1862), London
Close   View the register entry >> is worth visiting, noting that 'beyond some guns, a piping bullfinch, and a few pickles and toys, there is positively nothing in it'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Spiritualism, Government, Crime

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Exhibitions, Agriculture, Machinery, Technology, Invention

    Discusses a 'machine for milking the four teats of a cow at the same time' displayed at the International Exhibition International Exhibition (1862), London
Close   View the register entry >>, a machine noted for its cleanliness and 'lightness of touch'. Anticipates the 'lacteal deluge', satisfied cats, and the number of unemployed dairymen that the machine will cause.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Exhibitions, Music, Invention, Technology, Education

    Describes an elevated part of the International Exhibition International Exhibition (1862), London
Close   View the register entry >> in which 'educational works and appliances' are displayed. This display features such items as 'Desks, drawing pads, and cricket-bats, globes, orreries, and footballs, marbles, maps, and magic lanterns', but also a barrel-organ 'shown by a scientific gentleman' who has devoted much of his life to teaching speech and spelling with the help of music. Discusses some of the advantages and disadvantages of this system of education.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Exhibitions, Commerce, Education

    Laments that the International Exhibition International Exhibition (1862), London
Close   View the register entry >> appears to have 'sunk into a shop' owing to the fact that exhibitors now advertise that their wares can be 'obtained' within the exhibition building. Stresses that this stops Mr Punch from treating the exhibition as a place to 'improve his mind' because his wife is constantly being pestered by merchants. Mr Punch insists that he will take no part in any 'underhand transaction' at the 'World's Show'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Transport, Public Health, Political Economy

    Praises a new model omnibus from Manchester, drawing attention to its greater space, cleanliness, comfort, and speed, and hopes 'Cottonopolis' can 'send up to London a real Patent Safety Cab'. Believes the latter will greatly 'relieve our police magistrates of a very great portion of their labours. States that Punch will 'never say a word against the Manchester School again' if the Manchester cab stops the accidents caused by cabmen.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology

Institutions mentioned:

Moniteur, Moniteur, ship
Close   View the register entry >> Merrimac Merrimac, ship
Close   View the register entry >>

    Reflects on changes to the design of naval ships, emphasising that the waves, which now 'laugh' at their ancient governess Britannia, can only be controlled by iron ships. Notes how surprised old seafaring characters (including the Vikings) would be to see ironclads and speculates on how the introduction of iron clad ships will change naval customs: for example, the replacement of 'cocked hats and epaulettes' by 'leathern aprons and gloves', the use of 'spike and sledge hammer' instead of a cutlass, and the eventual transformation of the board of the Admiralty Admiralty
Close   View the register entry >> into an 'ironing board' for 'rubbing out' 'hostile squadrons' like 'wrinkles'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Cultural Geography, Human Development, Evolution, Descent, Degeneration, Race, Politics

    Addressed to Jonathan, the personification of the United States of America, the author of this letter laments the sorry fate of his 'Model Republic, your go-ahead people, the freest and most enlightened on the globe', and the severance of his 'Model Republic' into two snakes, each trying 'to crush and chaw each other'. Believes that his countrymen are 'descending to the very lowest place', 'approaching the Red Indian type', and, given their aggressive attitude to Britain, behaving like the brutal Sepoys. Continuing Punch's concerns about the descent of the 'Yankee' race, notes from 'the theory of the "Origin of Species"' Darwin, Charles Robert 1859. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection; or, The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life, London: John Murray
Close   View the register entry >> that 'there may be an inversion of the originating process', and that if they continue committing acts of barbarity, 'American citizens' will descend in species type until they become Paul B Du Chaillu's Du Chaillu, Paul Belloni (1831–1903) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> savage 'Fans', gorillas, or 'apes with foreheads villanous low'. Urges Jonathan to take care he does not become a Yahoo and wonders whether he will 'acknowledge that you are a man and a brother'.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Exhibitions, Architecture

    Directed at the designer of the building housing the International Exhibition International Exhibition (1862), London
Close   View the register entry >>, this parody of 'The House that Jack Built' is offered 'to the London Stereoscopic Company London Stereoscopic Company
Close   View the register entry >>, as a subject for a series of views "to be sold in the building"'. It describes the interior of the building, notably 'the Tro-phies, / That jammed the Nave' and the 'Canute-Commissioners, hoping to brave / The onslaught of Crinoline's closely-pent wave'. The rhyme is annotated with footnotes which explain the meaning of some of the lines and, in many cases, offer some very critical remarks about the design of the building.

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Politics, Disease

    Reports that a 'Distinguished Surgeon' has advised 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 to 'withdraw the French Army from Rome', because it is exciting 'inflammation in Italy'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Meteorology, Language, Photography

    Notes how photographers exploit 'muggy' weather: it is too oppressive 'to do anything upon', so photographers consider it 'best adapted for taking a person's "mug"'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Invention, Amusement, Language

    Responds to news of the invention of a 'Debuscope' by suggesting that to 'unscientific persons' it is used in operas to witness 'débúts'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Archaeology, Crime, Controversy, Periodicals

    Attempts to respond to a correspondent in the Hampshire Advertiser Hampshire Advertiser (1823–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> who attacked Punch for suggesting that the antiquaries who visited Netley Abbey Netley Abbey, Hampshire
Close   View the register entry >> 'for a sake of a laugh tear down those things which, though trifling in themselves, are valued for their rarity by those who really can appreciate them'. Punch is mystified by this attack.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Accidents, Gender, Reason, Invention, Medical Practitioners, Periodicals

    Begs ladies to digest Edwin Lankester's Lankester, Edwin (1814–74) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> verdict on a fatal accident in which a woman burnt to death when her crinoline dress caught fire. Observing that 'When Fashion enters the door, Common Sense too generally flies out of the window', hopes that women will take heed of his warnings about 'dangerous crinoline', and endorses Lankester's proposal to broadcast such dangers in the press. Suggests the publication of a 'Deaths through Crinoline' column which, if the cause of death were found to be crinoline, should lead a jury to return a verdict of 'suicide'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Political Economy, Crime, Government

    Written by an extremely illiterate shady character who links society's feelings of 'hurt' at such problems as being 'garroted o' nites' to the desperate need for food. Wishes the 'guvment' would find him and similar people 'a ticket of leaf—something to do in the collonys on guvment a count', which would be 'cheaper than our garoting and eye-way robery'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Travel

    Announces that the Eastern Counties Railway Eastern Counties Railway Company
Close   View the register entry >> has been renamed the Great Eastern Railway Company Great Eastern Railway Company
Close   View the register entry >> (as a result of amalgamation), a change which Punch thinks might suggest a journey to New York aboard the SS Great Eastern SS Great Eastern
Close   View the register entry >>. Concludes by hoping that the new company 'will stand higher in the railway world' than its predecessor, which means not stopping 'five times in forty miles'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Exhibitions, Military Technology

Institutions mentioned:

International Exhibition International Exhibition (1862), London
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Aeronautics, Technology, Gender, Gas Chemistry, Measurement, Amusement

    Discusses a Dover Chronicle Dover Chronicle (1835–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> report of a woman who was blown into the sea near Margate by a fierce wind being 'caught under her crinoline'. Explains how 'a lady' dressed in a large crinoline dress could be turned into a kite, an idea that will lead to boys being able to 'divert themselves by flying their sisters, and [their] sisters' young friends'. To avoid the 'ill consequences of a too rapid descent' suggests flying women 'over the sea a little clear of boats', and recommends that 'A young lady of a scientific turn, whilst enjoying an airing in the upper regions of the atmosphere, might also take advantage of her position to make barometrical and hygrometrical observations, and ascertain the quantity of ozone in that situation'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Disease, Politics, Analogy, Medical Treatment

    Compares the claim 'well known to physicians' that stopping 'any habitual outgoing from the human system' can cause 'dangerous diseases', to a similar problem in the 'body politic': the potential danger to the United Kingdom of stopping emigrants ('injurious agents') to the United States.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Hunting, Military Technology, Animal Behaviour, Taxonomy, Heat, Instruments

    The author describes his experiences of 'blackcock shooting' in Coolmer Forest. Notes how he used a thermometer to gauge the coolness of the early morning on which he arose to shoot the birds, and complains of the small range of guns with the exception of William G Armstrong's Armstrong, Sir William George, Baron Armstrong of Cragside (1810–1900) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>. Plagued by flies at Coolmer, recalls how he 'wished that Nature had provided them with a better occupation', and boasts how virtuous he was to follow regulations and not shoot the hens. Notes how he observed a 'fine old cock' on 'Pigmoor', which 'owes its name to ROGER BACON Bacon, Roger (c. 1219–c. 1292) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> calling for 'more pig' when he was at a pic-nic there', and describes the game birds which he could have shot.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Animal Husbandry, Nutrition, Disease, Vaccination, Veterinary Science, Religion

    Upholding the national importance of mutton, discusses the alarming news that Dorsetshire and Wiltshire sheep are infected with small-pox. Denies that Mr Punch wishes to make fun of this story, but wishes to 'deprecate the madness of attempting to arrest [the disease] by inoculation', a move suggested by John A Symonds Symonds, John Addington ()1807–71 ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>. The author stresses that his position is shared by John T Tyrell Tyrell, Sir John Tyssen, 2nd Baronet (1795–1877) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> who stated in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> that he advises destroying infected animals rather than inoculating them. Insists that since the inoculation of Christians has been 'abandoned and condemned', it should be stopped for sheep. Argues that this is the same argument as stopping the spread of disease by such agents as bluebottles and birds. Warns that inoculation would help spread small-pox over the country.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Agriculture, ExperimentWar

    Reports from the Napoléonien Napoléonien de l'Aveyron (1860–70) Bibliotheque Nationale
Close   View the register entry >> that the Agricultural Society of Avignon Agricultural Society of Avignon
Close   View the register entry >> has prompted 'large scale' 'experiments for raising cotton in the madder lands', areas which have become unprofitable owing to the fall in consumption of 'articles used in dyeing' caused by the American Civil War. Supposes that these 'madder lands' are in the Union states, since the 'Yankees' appear to be on the brink of defeat by the south.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

War, Disease, Medical Treatment, Medical Practitioners, Anaesthesia

    Written to represent 'Yankee' speech, the poem ponders the 'sweet and comely' idea of dying for one's country out of duty, but balances this notion by the pain suffered on the battlefields of the American Civil War: 'Wen dyin' of a bullet wich the docter can't extract, or / A shattered leg, an' gangreen on a comminooted fracter, / Praps you may feel sum comfert in your torter, ef your trust is / That you're sufferin' marterdum acause you fit for justis'. Points out that 'ain't no chloryform / Wun't stop the smart o' ne'er a wound' and 'Honner ain't wuth a cent ixcept to them ez lives to brag on it'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Cruelty, Animal Behaviour, Societies

    Suggests that, in a similar manner to the prevention of cruelty to animals, 'some one ought to start a scheme for picking up stray foreigners, and conducting them in safety whither they may want to go'. Proposes that members of 'a London Geographical Society' look out for and help such stray individuals.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Accidents, Invention, Gender

    Reflects on the way in which 'the Penny-a-Liner' is benefiting from accidents caused by wearing crinoline, a material that 'seems to have inherited the secret of the patent of Nessus' shirt—a secret that we always thought had been for ever extinguished with the life of its first Herculean wearer'.

Genre:

Drama, Drollery

Subjects:

Mental Illness, Human Development, Medical Practitioners, Psychology

    Set in a parlour hall where Mr and Mrs Naggleton are preparing to leave for a holiday. Mrs Naggleton chides Mr Naggleton for not wanting to take their children with them, and thinks his 'horrible' language about the children is a 'sign of incipient softening of the brain', which she claims on the authority of Forbes B Winslow Winslow, Forbes Benignus (1810–74) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

News-Commentary,

Subjects:

Narcotics, Mental Illness, Government, Crime

    Discussing some of the 'remarkable absurdities' uttered at the 'International Temperance and Prohibition Conference at the Hanover Square Rooms', reports the question posed by a Scottish doctor: whether it was 'not inconsistent with equity and the British law' that 'persons convicted of crime committed whilst they were intoxicated' should be punished and treated just like lunatics. Stresses that drunken people should not be treated as lunatics 'when they get sober' and points out that 'It is not only consistent with British Law, but it is a British law-maxim, that drunkenness is no excuse for a crime, but aggravates the offence', and that drunkards and imbeciles should be treated in the same way.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Politics, Animal Behaviour, Human Development, Zoological Gardens

Institutions mentioned:

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

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

War, Astronomy

    The title of this poem refers to George B McClellan McClellan, George Brinton (1826–85) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>, a general in the Union army in the American Civil War, and his recent march against Robert E Lee's Lee, Robert E (Edward) (1807–70) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> army in Maryland. The poem compels the soldiers to 'run to turn another day' and to adopt a 'retrogression style' of advancing, and compares 'our course of wrath' to 'The fiery comet' which 'rolls, on path / Elliptic, through the sky', and to 'Blazing stars'.

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Astronomy, Accidents

    Claims that 'the Comet' was 'so dissatisfied with what it beheld' on the Earth (where it was due to spend a 'holiday trip') that it decided to hurry away. Given the dreadful consequences of a collision between the comet and the Earth, the author is delighted by this news.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Public Health, Pollution, Sanitation

    Reports that the Hastings Board of Health Hastings Board of Health
Close   View the register entry >> has 'done a good deal for the Drainage, which used to be outrageously bad', and despite some 'awfully fishy odours' in the town, has detected 'nothing objectionable in the general atmosphere'. Suggests that the appearance of the name of the board on the backs of seats along the sea-front may 'perpetually remind visitors that there is a Body watching over the sanatory condition of the place'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Invention, Heat, Language

    Announcing the invention of matches that 'will ignite only in contact with the box in which they are sold', notes that this has reminded 'A wedded friend of ours' that the invention is like a 'well-bred couple' who only explode with one another, not with 'friends and strangers'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoological Gardens, Religious Authority

    Following news of the arrival in the Zoological Society Gardens Zoological Society of London —Gardens
Close   View the register entry >> of 'a new creature called the "AYE-AYE"', notes that a letter from the Vatican Vatican
Close   View the register entry >> indicates that it is unlikely that the 'No-no' (a reference to Pope Pius IX Pius IX, Pope (1792–1878) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> or 'Pio Nono') will be exported to England. Suggests that Philip L Sclater Sclater, Philip Lutley (1829–1913) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> should exhibit both in the Regent's Park zoo.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Crime, Pneumatics, Electricity, Measurement, Instruments, Invention, Technology, Progress

    Puzzled by a report of a man charged with stealing '500 feet of gas'. Notes how fortunate gas companies are that 'aëriform fluids are capable of being measured somehow', so that thieves can be tried and punished effectively, but wonders what will happen 'when gas is superseded by electricity', which 'can't be weighed, being one of the "imponderables"' and is 'incapable of being meted by the pint and quart'. Notes that 'The electrometer does not divide it into quantities', and anticipates the invention of an instrument which will 'indicate the amount of electricity which a rogue has filched from a wire'.

Genre:

Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Agriculture, Disease

    Claims that reports of the reappearance of 'the Potato Disease' are exaggerated, and presents an extract from 'a correspondent' called 'A TUBER', who insists that the disease is only a mild form of ophthalmia or 'all my eye'.

Genre:

Drama, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy

    Set in 'An Electric Telegraph Office', this drama features 'MR. MORYAS HONT, a mild gentleman who wishes to send a message', and some clerks, and reveals the delays which 'HONT' encounters before he can send his message to the town of 'Fortywinks' (117). The problems include rewriting his message to save money (but which destroys the polite tone of the message), the desultory attitude of the telegraph boy, and the busy condition of the company's line.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Nutrition, Narcotics, Politics, Medical Treatment, Nutrition, Homeopathy, Quackery, Morality, Temperance, Societies

    Criticises the tyrannical approach to reform taken by temperance societies, including the United Kingdom Temperance Alliance United Kingdom Temperance Alliance
Close   View the register entry >>. Speculates on the consequences of vegetarians, publicans, homeopathists, and quacks adopting similarly drastic measures. For example, expects that vegetarians and 'consumers of animal food' would each seek legislation against the other, that there would be cries of grievance expressed by homeopaths and hydropaths about each other, and that wars would be waged between rival vendors of 'infallible remedies'. Concludes by insisting that 'the days of prohibition are over' and wants 'Free Trade in eating and drinking'. Defending the right of people to do as they please, rejects the 'moral and dietectic guidance' by the Temperance Alliance.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

[Trident], pseud.  [Henry 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:

Military Technology

    The first letter of the initial word of the article (describing a visit to the International Exhibition International Exhibition (1862), London
Close   View the register entry >>) is formed from an illustration showing a man peering into the barrel of a large cannon in a room containing several other cannons.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Meteorology, Aeronautics, Scientific Practitioners, Heroism, Comparative Philology, Analogy

    Opens by describing the tale of Icarus who, on flying too near the sun with wax wings, plummeted into the Aegean. Insists that this account is a 'lie' because James Glaisher Glaisher, James (1809–1903) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> and Henry T Coxwell Coxwell, Henry (Tracey) (1819–1900) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> rose to an altitude of six miles in a balloon, a height so great that Glaisher and Coxwell were 'half stifled for want of breath', while Glaisher 'was nearly froze to death'. Challenges the Icarus fable by explaining that 'Aloft 'tis cold instead of hot' and that 'Wax wings would freeze, not run'. Thinks that Glaisher's and Coxwell's 'pluck' 'is something to admire' and explains how, as the balloon ascended, 'One kept on reading at his glass, / Whilst he could see or stand', and the other attempted to warm his numbed hands. Ponders the use of such fables as Icarus in the face of 'wonders that are facts'. This article refers to the famous balloon ascent of Glaisher and Coxwell on 5 September 1862, when the aeronauts reached a height of almost seven miles, although at this altitude Glaisher became unconscious and Coxwell's limbs became numb.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Music, Scientific Practitioners

    Responds to a report of some military officers on the island of Gozo who threw hot copper coins to a crowd of boys. Noting Charles Babbage's Babbage, Charles (1792–1871) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> notoriety as a scourge of 'dirty Italian organ-grinders', suggests that Babbage adopt this 'expedient to rid himself' of the organ grinders, whom Punch thinks are very different from the 'inoffensive children' in the reported case.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Human Development, Narcotics, Government

    Agrees with Jean B A Assolant's Assolant, Jean Baptiste Alfred (1827–80) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> claim that Britain is a 'nation of savages' because of the 'mischievous inequality' of its tobacco duty.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Husbandry, Disease, Breeding

    Opens by introducing the characters Dan'l and Dick, a 'brace of clowns' who stand on Hampshire hills, separated by a vale. The clowns discuss news that small-pox has infected sheep in Wiltshire, although Dick is surprised by the possibility of 'Small-pox in ship' and expects ''Twool make the butchers look uncommon blue'. After Dick notes the fact that the disease does not affect swine, they wonder why some species are affected by the disease more than others. They note that pigs 'our sart o' poor relations be' and the wide gulf ''twixt ourselves and ship', but that both pigs and sheep would contract diseases found in humans such as measles. Dan surmises, however, that the peculiar infection of sheep might be related to the fact that they are 'new schemes o'breed' that 'Departun off from Natur's good old ways'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Narcotics, Politics, Mental Illness, Adulteration

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Natural History, Zoology

    Reporting news of the discovery of a glow-worm that 'feeds on Snails', notes that Mr Punch sees 'great fitness in this arrangement of nature' for 'The slow folks of society are the proper parties to furnish dinners for the Brilliant'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Vaccination, Animal Husbandry, Disease, Controversy

    Rejects the efficacy of vaccinating against small-pox in sheep because it has been unsuccessfully applied 'perhaps because the sheep cannot have the cow-pox'.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery; Exam Paper, Spoof

Subjects:

Metrology, Measurement, Education, Zoology, Mathematics

    Noting the satisfaction with which Mr Punch has greeted the publication of the 'Report of the Decimal Committee' (refering to Final Report of the Decimal Coinage Commissioners Final Report of the Decimal Coinage Commissioners: Final Report of the Decimal Coinage Commissioners, Presented to Both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty, House of Commons Parliamentary Papers, Session 1859 [2591], 11, 1–115
Close   View the register entry >>), summarises some of the ways in which the public will be prepared for the 'Decimal System', and presents a list of questions with which Mr Punch will be able to determine whether his 'young friends' 'will distinguish themselves' in the system. These questions poke fun at the technical language used in zoology and mathematics: for example, 'What is your idea of the Purbeck Mammalian genus Plagiaulaux?'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Zoology

    Reports on the visit by sharks to the waters off Scarborough, drawing attention to the apparent 'extreme coolness' with which the sharks approached swimmers. Claims that the shortness of their visit might be due to them 'having accidentally caught a glimpse of several of the lodging-house keepers of the place' and feeling that they would not have a chance of obtaining 'a living among the natives'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

War, Photography, Telegraphy, Language, Cultural Geography

    Notes the inclusion of photographers and telegraph operators in the French army, but the absence of both from the Union regiments in America, since the telegraphs never having 'told the truth'. Thinks photography could easily have replaced telegraphy since it only had to transmit to Washington 'so many negatives'.

Genre:

Diary, Spoof

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Hospitals

Genre:

Diary, Spoof

Subjects:

Exhibitions, Amusement, Display, Reading, Education, Archaeology, Palaeontology, Zoology, Machinery, Invention, Music, Instruments

    Opens with a reference to the International Exhibition International Exhibition (1862), London
Close   View the register entry >>, a place where 'winged creation becomes a solace to the Cockneys' who can get away from work, and where they can enjoy seeing artefacts that they would normally decline to use: for example, a gun. The author describes his own experiences of the exhibition which he left 'with infinite regret'. He wandered 'carelessly' about the place, carrying the official catalogues under his arm, determined to see such displays as the '"Skull of Confucius", the antediluvian, exhumed and immortal Frog', although he can get 'no information concerning these objects of interest'. Continuing to complain about the lack of information, wishes he was 'scientific enough to describe the various machines' that he saw (including the 'thrashing machine', the 'washing-machine', and 'mowing-machine') and recalls his confusion caused by the 'burr of wheels, the bustling of visitors and the plashing of water'. Distinguishes himself from those who are attracted to such machines as the 'centrifugal pump' and the 'sugar-crushing machine', and concludes by noting his scepticism about a display of a 'gigantic sax-horn'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Exhibitions, Palaeontology, Zoology, Superstition

    Criticises the incredulity with which people greet the claim that the 'Frog in the [International] Exhibition International Exhibition (1862), London
Close   View the register entry >> got into the Coal about the period of the creation, and jumped out just in time to be ready for the International Show of 1862'. Attempts to dissipate this scepticism with his discovery of a frog in some coals he was about to put on a fire, a frog he believes to be 'at least' 'six thousand' years old.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Exhibitions, Photography

    Argues that the quickest way to see the International Exhibition International Exhibition (1862), London
Close   View the register entry >> is to procure some of the photographs of 'Fowkeria' (a reference to Francis Fowke Fowke, Francis (1823–65) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>) produced by the London Stereoscopic Company London Stereoscopic Company
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Alchemy

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Exhibitions, Animal Behaviour, Human Development

    Complains about the criticism that 'such a Gorilla' as his servant, Alexander, levelled at the food provided at the International Exhibition International Exhibition (1862), London
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Race, Human Development, Medical Practitioners

    Discusses news of a fight between the 'Kerry Indians' and 'Tipperary Indians' who had settled in the neighbourhood of Gray's Inn Lane. Adds that the police, who intervened in the conflict, were injured. Questions why the 'Fathers' of the tribe, 'spiritual medicine-men', could allow this to happen.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Homeopathy, Medical Treatment

    Discusses a report of a Japanese ambassador's cure for sea-sickness, which consists of an exotic soup and some champagne. Thinks this mixture would have the same effect as 'antinomial wine', and should work because 'like cures like'. Adds that the ambassador must have taken more than the infinitesimal dosage needed for such a cure.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Botany, Horticulture, Politics, Government, Analogy

    Describes the political characteristics of the 'Palm' (i.e. Henry J Temple (3rd Viscount Palmerston) Temple, Henry John, 3rd Viscount Palmerston (1784–1865) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>)—a plant which is superior 'in point of verdure' to the 'Ivy green'. For example, notes how 'Palm is found in all places' and although 'it clings to the House [of Commons] House of Commons
Close   View the register entry >>, certainly the House derives additional respectability' from it. 'Nervous Politicians when they see a time-honoured institution covered with lichen, are apt to be distrustful of its stability, but when connected and fortified with Palm, they feel that the Church is in no danger'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Technology, Accidents, Commerce

    Discusses a railway director's letter in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> declaring the threat posed by 'some monster trains' of his firm to the financial state of shareholders and the safety of passengers. Accepts the correspondent's proposal for the firm to pay for passengers' fares and for passangers 'to stay at home', pointing out how little this will affect shareholders' prospects. Believes that 'it would be a positive gain to many Railways, if they closed their premises, and ceased running their trains altogether'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Steamships, Language

    Thinks that giving the name 'Ram' to the 'iron-plated monsters' (ironclads) is inappropriate, and, given their purpose to 'sweep the seas', suggests 'Ramoneur' as more suitable.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Disease, Public Health, Pollution, Nutrition

    Following reports of a few deaths from 'scarlatina maligna' traced to the 'foetid exhalations' from a sausage factory in Bethnal Green, wonders how many more deaths will result from such 'zymotic effluvia' and from the consumption of the writer's beloved sausages, which produce such noxious substances. Wishes Punch would 'say what is necessary to put the law in motion for sweeping away the sausage-factories which reduce the inferior population, and diminish the enjoyment of your occasional reader'.

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Reading, Periodicals, Medical Treatment, Health

    Claims that 19,154,693 'patients were relieved by reading Punch', of which '9,659' were cases 'abandoned by the ablest physicians as hopeless'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Palaeontology, Zoology, Exhibitions, Language, Charlatanry, Comparative Philology, Geology, Collecting, Psychology

    A spoof report that the frog which emerged from a block of coal displayed at the International Exhibition International Exhibition (1862), London
Close   View the register entry >> spoke in 'the Welsh tongue' shortly before its 'untimely decease', and that it spoke of 'the cause of it being so immured', although there were no Welsh-speaking people present to interpret what it said. However, goes on to note that the Welshman, David ap Morgan ap Rees, managed to understand the frog. He told Punch how the frog sought to overcome public feelings that it was 'an imposture' and became agitated at news that it had been confused with its brother, the 'Frog who was swallowed up by the lily-white duck'. Punch proceeds to explain how Roderick I Murchison Murchison, Sir Roderick Impey, 1st Baronet (1792–1871) DSBODNB
Close   View the register entry >> inspected the coal containing the frog and went away 'a disbeliever', while Friedrich Max Müller Max Müller, Friedrich (1823–1900) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> conversed with the frog and 'pronounced it to be of the Ayran family'. Concludes by noting how Francis T Buckland Buckland, Francis Trevelyan (1826–80) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> made inquiries about stuffing the frog after its death, which caused the frog to become 'nervous and hypochondriachal'.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

[Trident], pseud.  [Henry 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:

Animal Behaviour, Zoology, Human Development, Crime, Domestic Economy

    The first letter of the article is made from an illustration showing several monkeys, dressed in human clothes, up a tree. The illustration portrays scenes from the story in which the (somewhat illiterate) and shocked author of the letter comments: an old woman is courageously surprised and attempts to stop a burglar (deemed a 'gooriller' by 'the author) in her house. The author complains that although 'one pays a mint o' money every quarter for perlice-rate [...] one can't take up a paper without one's being orrified by hawful deeds committed by bugglers and garotters, who goes a prowling like goorillers seeking poor old lonely unprotected females to dewour'.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Palaeontology, Zoology, Geology, Exhibitions, Amusement, Biblical Authority

    In reference to the frog that emerged from a block of coal displayed at the International Exhibition International Exhibition (1862), London
Close   View the register entry >>, the author ponders the identity of 'this toad in the hole [...] Who spends all his life in a coal', who, from its aristocratic colours, 'was famous of yore', who has inspired an 'Opéra Comique' in which 'BUCKLAND Buckland, Francis Trevelyan (1826–80) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> does alto and bass', and whose antiquity (it 'yachted with Noah in the ark') inspires awe. Considers the 'morning primaeval' seen by its 'somnolent eyes' and that its sounds 'Preluded Lab-rinthodon's croak'. Compares the frog favourably to the remains of other prehistoric beasts, including the mammoth and the iguanodon, and tells various geological and palaeontological specimens from earth's antiquity that they cannot compete with the frog in the coal.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Exhibitions, Geology, Physical Geography

    Noting the interest shown by 'the geological student' in the 'composition of the crust of the Great Globe Wyld's Great Globe, Leicester Square
Close   View the register entry >>', insists that it consists of 'fir balks, with lath and plaster', rather than silurian, igneous or any other type of rock. Similarly, rejects geologists' claims that the interior of the globe is 'in a state of fluidity' but is full of rubbish, at the centre of which is a statue of King George II George II, King of Great Britain and Ireland and Elector of Hanover (1683–1760) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Crime, Disease, Nutrition, Industry

Genre:

Address, Spoof

Subjects:

Psychology, Physiology, Mental Illness

    Describes the proposal to form a 'Universal Alliance for the Depression of Animal Spirits and Encouragement of Gloom', an organisation which aims 'to repel hilarity and give the jocund glow a check'. While supporting its views on evidence of the 'evils' of high spirits, admits cases of 'quinsy cured by the exercise of the risible muscles', but insists that only free members of the alliance should be allowed to take a joke 'medicinally'.

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Industry, Heroism, Invention, Technology, Manufactories, Patronage, Commerce

    A response to the erection in Bolton of a statue of Samuel Crompton Crompton, Samuel (1753–1827) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, the person whose 'spinning-mule' 'made Bolton'. A brief biographical overview of Crompton's career emphasises his struggles and the fact that just as charity has funded the stone symbolising 'the massive mind of the man', so charity had to relieve him from the impoverishment of his 'latter days'. Complains how Crompton was cheated by Bolton master manufacturers and that 'nobody can say that Bolton has been too quick to pay even this much debt' to Crompton. Notes that Crompton's legacy consists of 'the memory of his wrongs and struggles' and an impoverished family, and deplores the fact that Crompton's living descendants are still in straitened circumstances and were not invited to the inauguration of the statue of their ancestor. However, acknowledges the possibility that the 'Committee' involved in the construction of the statue was ignorant of such descendants, and would have helped the descendants had their existence been known. Expects that Bolton will prove Punch's conclusions to be correct, and that there will soon be established a 'Crompton Fund' for caring for the inventor's descendants. Stresses that 'All Cottonia owes its pounds and its mites to the same cause' and the sight of Crompton's monument looking down on one of his impoverished descendants a 'monument' of the shame of 'cotton counties' rather than Crompton's 'inventive power'.

Genre:

Song, Drollery

Subjects:

Evolution, Animal Development, Darwinism, Anatomy, Providence, Design, Human Development, Zoology, Societies, Controversy

    Describes a confrontation between 'PROFESSOR O.' and 'PROFESSOR H.' (i.e. Richard Owen Owen, Richard (1804–92) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> and Thomas H Huxley Huxley, Thomas Henry (1825–95) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>) at the Cambridge meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science British Association for the Advancement of Science
Close   View the register entry >>. Professor O insists that since human brains are 'Made in Providence's Image, / Man must not be called an Ape', while Professor H denies that he is being 'funky' and retorts that 'Man is really but a Monkey, / Save in moral points of view'. They conclude by accusing each other of being a 'drunky' or a 'flunky' for believing, respectively, that man is or is not an ape.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Narcotics, Psychology, Disease, Societies, Scientific Practitioners, Experiment

    Responds to the claim made by Edward Smith Smith, Edward (1819–74) ODNB
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, that tobacco can, like alcohol, act a stimulant (Smith 1863 Smith, Edward 1863. 'Tobacco: Its Effects Upon Pulsation', Report of the Thirty-Second Meeting of the British Association held at Cambridge in October 1862, Notices and Abstracts of Miscellaneous Communications to the Sections, 135
Close   View the register entry >>). Reports that Dr Punch asked Smith whether such side-effects might be 'obviated' by smoking a cigar while drinking alcohol, a question that Smith declared he had not addressed, but one into which he encouraged experimentation. Dr Punch, Smith, and 'the distinguished philosophers' were later reported to be pursuing such investigations 'until a late hour'.

Genre:

Letter, Drollery

Subjects:

Eschatology, Prognostication, Religious Authority, Amusement, Exhibitions, Astronomy, Astrology, Commerce

People mentioned:

Richard J Morrison Morrison, Richard James ('Zadkiel') (1795–1874) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

    Following a report in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> of the destruction of Wyld's Great Globe Wyld's Great Globe, Leicester Square
Close   View the register entry >> in Leicester Square, asks John Cumming Cumming, John (1807–81) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> to explain why the destruction of the 'world' has occurred close to the time when he predicted it would, an accuracy better than that achieved by astronomers 'in foretelling the return of a comet'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Engineering, Accidents

    Discusses an attempt to construct across the Serpentine, 'from the designs' of Francis Fowke Fowke, Francis (1823–65) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, a pontoon bridge intended for Viceroy Sa'id Pasha Sa'id Pasha, Ottoman Viceroy of Egypt (1822–63) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> of Egypt. Points out that the report that the 'pontonniers "fell in"' was not due to the collapse of the bridge itself.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Cruelty, Animal Behaviour, Crime, Human Development

    Supports the recent decision of a magistrate to punish severely 'two fellows' for 'certain acts of cruelty to animals', but feels that the punishment should be 'administered in the most calm and argumentative form, that of a sort of Lecture'. Describes how Professor Punch would do this, by explaining that whipping produces pain, and demonstrating the claim by whipping the villain until he understands.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Hunting, Crime, Anaesthesia

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Invention, Transport, Commerce, Engineering, Technology, Cultural Geography, Nationalism

    Discusses the anti-English views of George F Train Train, George Francis (1829–1904) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> whose 'street-railways' (tramways) proved commercially unsuccessful in Britain.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Amusement, Electricity

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Invention, Transport, Nationalism, Cultural Geography, Technology

    Replies to the 'ribald bankrupt' George F Train's Train, George Francis (1829–1904) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> views that the English are 'fools and knaves', and 'Gluttons and blockheads, brutes and slaves', declaring his views 'idiot trash', and questions whether it is worth sustaining a friendship with those Union states which shared Train's views.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Invention, Nationalism, Cultural Geography

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Crime, Mathematics, Scientific Practitioners, Music, Genius, Invention

    Addressed to the 'London Magistrate', Mr Mansfield Mansfield, Mr (fl. 1861) PU1/40/17/2
Close   View the register entry >>, presents Mr Punch's praise of Mansfield for having no regrets about prosecuting the 'ill-advised ruffians' who 'broke peaceful Englishmen's heads in the Park', and for prosecuting the street musicians who irritated the 'great mathematician' Charles Babbage Babbage, Charles (1792–1871) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>. Notes Mr Punch's suggestion that the 'animals' who irritate Babbage might be 'some kind of Gorilla' and that Babbage and Paul B Du Chaillu Du Chaillu, Paul Belloni (1831–1903) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> could investigate them. Inveighs against these 'creatures' for not comprehending that Babbage's 'genius' is an 'honour to the country', or the importance of his inventions. Wonders if there is 'female malice in it', a 'shrewish Materfamilias' who would have disturbed Isaac Newton Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> and Blaise Pascal Pascal, Blaise (1623–62) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> in their studies.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Religious Authority, Botanical Gardens

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Spiritualism, Quackery, Mental Illness, Religious Authority, Animal Magnetism, Supernaturalism

    Subtitled '(For the Spiritual Magazine Spiritual Magazine (1860–77) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>)', this article discusses a story in the Morning Post Morning Post and Daily Advertising Pamphlet (1772–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> of a 'mysterious epidemic' in Morzines (France) around the year 1857. The symptoms associated with the epidemic were 'hysteria and epilepsy', symptoms which several 'crafty deluders' appeared to cure. Proceeds to explain how the 'Inspector-General of Lunatic Asylums Dr Corstans Corstans, Dr (fl. 1862) PU1/43/18/1
Close   View the register entry >> was appointed to investigate the phenomenon, and found that the inhabitants of Morzines believed themselves to be 'possessed by a devil' and that the municipal authorities deemed 'the ordinary remedies of science' useless, but 'exorcisms, pilgrimages to holy lands, and animal magnetism' to be effective. Thinks that spiritualists will use this to demonstrate that animal magnetism too is a 'supernatural virtue', while 'incredulous people' will use this to 'demonstrate the same thing in confutation of both Spiritualists and Romanists'. Notes how the epidemic suddenly disappeared when the parish priest was removed and the police and infantry arrived in the town, events which the author thinks undermines the argument of the 'materialists', as the epidemic ceased because the 'medium' was removed, not when the troops arrived. Concludes with a description of what the author believes to be the comparable treatment of Urbain Grandier Grandier, Urbain (1590–1634) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> who was burnt alive for being the 'demon' behind an epidemic of mental illness.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Gender, Chemistry, Microscopy

    Discusses the fashion for red hair dye, and notes the way in which advertisers of the product reassure customers that it 'does not injure' the skin, and that 'It will deceive the sharpest eye, / And e'en the microscope defy'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Military Technology, Steamships, War

    Shocked by the report in the Daily Telegraph Daily Telegraph (1856–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> that the 'screw yacht Jerome Napoleon Jerome Napoleon, ship
Close   View the register entry >>' has 'arrived at Waterloo Station' in the absence 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 >> and Henry J Temple (3rd Viscount Palmerston) Temple, Henry John, 3rd Viscount Palmerston (1784–1865) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, suggesting the possibility that another but more awesome vessel, the ironclad La Gloire La Gloire, ship
Close   View the register entry >>, will arrive in England and wreak destruction on the population.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Patronage, Politics, War

    Questions the plausibility of Richard Cobden's Cobden, Richard (1804–65) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> argument that 'no neighbours e'er would harm us' and that Britain should correspondingly abolish its 'fleet and troops' and 'Armstrong Armstrong, Sir William George, Baron Armstrong of Cragside (1810–1900) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> guns'. Notes that it would be a 'blunder' to keep ships 'for show', but that it would also be foolish to pay 'for armaments too small' to meet our defence needs. Concludes by upholding the need for the British to possess means of 'self-protection' 'immensely to excel' those of 'foreign forces'. Observes, 'If arm we must, we must arm well'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Quackery, Imposture, Crime, Government

    Describes a court case in which Henry Scott Scott, Dr Henry (fl. 1862) PU1/43/19/3
Close   View the register entry >> was confused with a quack who was assuming his name. Noting Scott's criticism of the magistrate's decision to punish the quack under the Medical Act, agrees that the act is a 'dead letter'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Prognostication, Meteorology

    Taking its title from the eschatological pronouncements of John Cumming Cumming, John (1807–81) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, this news item claims that, owing to his success at predicting the recent gale, Robert Fitzroy Fitzroy, Robert (1805–65) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> should be recognised as 'First Admiral of the Blew'.

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Meteorology, Aeronautics, Scientific Practitioners, Measurement

    Claims that James Glaisher Glaisher, James (1809–1903) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> did not know that 'some men could look smaller than they actually are' when viewed from a balloon.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Health, Disease, Amusement

    Ponders the amount of arsenic likely to be given off by a 'lady's ball-dress' during a dance, and accordingly considers these balls to be 'as deadly and destructive as a cannon ball'. Upholding the physical benefits of dancing, hopes 'poisoned dresses will soon go out of fashion'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Patronage, Crime, Imposture

    Discusses a report in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> of an inquest into the death of a child whose treatment had been delayed by the doctor, Henry Buss Buss, Henry (fl. 1862) PU1/43/20/2
Close   View the register entry >>, who had to persuade the child's father to sign an agreement to pay a fee. Understands why the jury felt strongly that the doctor appeared to be putting his remuneration before the child's health, but points out that the jury overlooked the fact that the doctor wanted to 'guard against imposition' or the possibility that the family would obtain his services free. Reports that the judge noted precedents for the doctor's decision, but the jury censured the doctor. However, Punch points out that had the jury understood the cause of the child's death—serum on the brain—they would have known that the doctor could not have saved the child. Also urges that the jury should have understood the pecuniary circumstances of some medical men, circumstances that force them to be careful.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

[Trident], pseud.  [Henry 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:

Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment

    The illustration shows a dentist in his surgery standing behind a large snake sitting in the dentist's chair. This refers to a passage in the article in which the author, following William Shakespeare's Shakespeare, William (1564–1616) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> remark 'about a child being more objectionable than the tooth of a serpent', insists that if he were a dentist and confronted a serpent in his 'operating chair', he would tell the beast to consult his 'brother practitioners' instead.

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Pollution, Sanitation, Public Health, Chemistry,

    Opens by noting the long time during which the Thames has been pouring 'London's outshot stuff' into the sea, and the fact that it will be 'a silver stream once more' and like a tributary that sprang 'from crystal fountains cold'. Affirms that the river will receive such noxious effluents as 'sluices [...] From chemic reservoirs and tanks', which will be mixed 'with the brine'. Anticipates some of the consequences of this process, including the appearance of whitebait in the 'pellucid tide' and the ability of 'The passenger of Chelsea boat' to admire 'Unwonted salmon' instead of dead dogs and cats. Concludes by urging 'old Thames' to 'pour fresh lymph' into 'another urn', and by praising the chief engineer at the Metropolitan Board of Works Metropolitan Board of Works
Close   View the register entry >>, Joseph W Bazalgette Bazalgette, Sir Joseph William (1819–91) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Human Species, Morality, Phrenology, Domestic Economy, Political Economy, Gender

    Challenges Adam Smith's Smith, Adam (1723–90) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> idea that 'Man [...] is an animal that makes bargains' on the grounds that women are better at this task, since women possess the larger 'organ of cheapness' and carry 'Domestic Economy' 'to extravagance'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Invention, Technology, Domestic Economy

    Discusses an advertisement for 'The Shilling Hair-Waver'. Doubts the reliability of an instrument that can produce 'a "beautifully natural" wave of hair' in a 'few minutes' and suggests that the invention is designed 'for people without brains'.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Light, Instruments, Crime

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Light, Instruments, Gas Chemistry, Accidents, Time

    Shows a man standing in a room poorly illuminated by a 'Moderator Lamp' which produces large quantities of soot. Unaware of this, the man, recovering from 'forty winks', checks the time on a clock on his mantlepiece.

Genre:

Travelogue

Subjects:

Railways, Cultural Geography

    Considers the German railways to be 'pleasant and well-managed' (208).

Genre:

Letter, Spoof; Illustration

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

[Trident], pseud.  [Henry 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:

Evolution, Descent, Darwinism, Physiology, Race, Language

    The writer of the letter begins by telling Mr Punch that man 'is radically and really a fish', noting Charles R Darwin's Darwin, Charles Robert (1809–82) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> claim in the Origin of Species Darwin, Charles Robert 1859. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection; or, The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life, London: John Murray
Close   View the register entry >> that 'all vertebrate animals having true lungs' have descended from an 'ancient prototype [...] furnished with a float-apparatus or swim-bladder'. Suggests that Darwin could have strengthened his argument by appeal to Trench 1851 Trench, Richard Chenevix 1851. On the Study of Words: Five Lectures Addressed to the Pupils at the Diocesan Training School, Winchester, London: John W. Parker
Close   View the register entry >> and the fact that humans are often described as being 'a queer fish', 'pale about the gills', or being 'like a fish out of water'. Thinks that anybody who denies man's descent from fishes is 'a very dull man', and is not considering the existence of the 'talking fish'. Ends by praising Punch's recent article (, Anon, 'The Missing Link', Punch, 43 (1862), 165) showing the 'missing link' between 'man and the Gorilla'. The author signs his article 'Struggle for Life Place'. The illustration, captioned 'A Real Native', shows the face of a negro carved into a rock on a beach.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Animal Development, Education, Psychology, Amusement, Accidents

    Considers the advantages of having 'Ourang-outangs and Gorillas and the monkey-tribe' being so civilised that they could be turned into acrobats, a move prompted by a recent accident suffered by a female acrobat. Later argues that 'Monkeys are by nature better fit' for acrobatics, since 'they have more muscle than men, and having fewer brains, have not such fear of falling'. The measure would therefore reduce the number of accidents among human acrobats.

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

W Wilson, T Harrington (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:

Time, Instruments, Religious Authority

    Following news of the gift of a clock from Pope Pius IX Pius IX, Pope (1792–1878) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> to Queen Maria Pia Maria Pia, Queen of Portugal (1847–1911) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> of Portugal, Punch receives an illustration of the timepiece from Nicholas P S Wiseman Wiseman, Nicholas Patrick Stephen (1802–65) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>. The illustration shows a dial divided into twelve segments, while both the hands and the twelve pictures around the dial are representations of dubious holy relics (for example, 'the 'Glass eye of St. Hilarion').

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Publishing, Evolution, Natural History, Travel, Quackery

    Lamenting the paucity of compelling titles in the 'literary world', Punch has decided that 'the art wants a little new life putting into it' and makes several suggestions for works of 'General Interest', 'Travels', 'Novels', and 'Miscellaneous'. These include 'PROFESSOR GORILLA, On the Jaw Bone of an Ass' and 'CHAILLU? Du Chaillu, Paul Belloni (1831–1903) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> Or shall you not?—An African Romance'.

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Crime, Nutrition, Health, Nutrition

    Describes how the prison system provides prisoners with 'a wholesome and nutritious [...] diet' and 'healthy exercise' and notes that if the system cures criminals, then conditions could be relaxed and more 'benevolent' ways of treating offenders might be introduced. However, points out that the regime does not 'cure thieves of roguery and felony' and suggests that they should suffer a 'workhouse-diet' and have no exercise. Believes the way to 'avoid the expense of keeping a felon comfortably, correct the offender himself, and constitute him a caution to other villains' is to 'Imprison him on pauper's allowance, and whip him'.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Nutrition, Government, Disease, Mental Illness

    Opens by wondering 'Who will open England's purses' to help the 'million' from whose 'eyes is glaring / Hunger's wolfish gleam', and who will give direction to England's 'motions blind' and stir 'towards helpful action / England's heart and mind'. Famine answers that she has drained the life from many, but she fails to open the purse. Fever attempts the task by 'spreading madness / Through the blood and brain', but the purse still resists being opened. Finally, Frost attempts the task with chills 'that nip man's life and nature's / In the blood and blade', but is also defeated. Eschewing rivalry, Famine, Fever, and Frost resolve to work together to open England's purse.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Hospitals, Health, Sanitation, Environmentalism, Medical Practitioners, Patronage

    Subtitled 'Apropos of the Removal of an Hospital to the Suburbs, as proposed by the Grand Committee under the auspices of MESSRS. TITE and BAGGALLAY', this comprises a dialogue between the new hospital's architect William Tite Tite, Sir William (1798–1873) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> and its treasurer Richard Baggallay Baggallay, Sir Richard (1816–88) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, both of whom attempt to defend the new location and design of the hospital. Tite begins by noting Baggallay's calmness in the face of criticisms by medical practitioners of the design and suburban location of the new hospital. Baggallay draws attention to those who oppose the move—those who sing of the 'sanitary slough that claims / The patients of St. Thomas by the Thames'. Tite stresses that despite the fact that patients will suffer more injuries on the bumpy journey to the new site, they will benefit from the 'azure of unclouded sky' and should they die, they will 'sleep beneath a sod of growing grass'. Baggallay anticipates that surgeons and physicians will no longer worry about the time of the journey when they enjoy the 'pure oxygen' and green hedgerows. Tite then turns to patients' relatives who, despite not being able to enjoy weekly 'free access' to the building, can enjoy the thought of the patients' fortifying pastoral surroundings. Baggallay shares Tite's opinion that patients would willingly endure the rough journey to the hospital in order to inhabit Tite's 'Palladian hall'. The poem concludes with Tite and Baggallay exchanging glutinous complements about each other's skill.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery; Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

[Trident], pseud.  [Henry 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:

Military Technology, Steamships

    Shows a bearded male figure piloting a tiny paddle-steamer which is armed with a giant cannon.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Class, Heredity, Human Development, Disease, Quackery, Medical Treatment

    Speculates on the possibility that 'good birth' might cause such complaints as baldness, corns, and poor eyesight, a possibility suggested by the number of advertisements for quack medicines and restoratives that stress how popular treatments for these complaints are with the nobility. Anticipates what a 'lamentable picture' would be drawn by a 'French caricaturist' of a 'British Lord' based on these representations. Concludes by noting Lord Punch's rejection of the authenticity of this caricature, and urges that the relevant quack advertisements be stopped.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Chemistry, Commerce

    Puzzled by an advertisement in the Chemist and Druggist Chemist and Druggist (1859–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> from a young chemist claiming that he is '25 feet 10 inches' tall. Speculates on the possible implications of these physical characteristics, suggesting that he could deliver medicines to attic windows and that he should try obtaining work in 'Wapping, as he would certainly make a wapping chemist'.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Engineering, Accidents, Pneumatics, Commerce, Public Health, Exhibitions

Institutions mentioned:

International Exhibition International Exhibition (1862), London
Close   View the register entry >>

    Presents Mr Punch's compliments to the directors of the 'Underground Railway, or Metropolitan Railway Metropolitan Railway Company
Close   View the register entry >>, or Sewer Railway, or whatever they call the thing that has been making such a horrible mess in the New Road', and asks them to explain to the public why they keep delaying the opening of the railway. He offers the public the reasons 'generally assigned for the delay', all of which are highly improbable: for example, 'the entire tunnel is fallen in' and 'the Pneumatic Company London Pneumatic Despatch Company
Close   View the register entry >> have taken it for experiments in transmitting parcels by air-pump'. Concludes by asking for the 'truth' about the railway.

Genre:

Dialogue, Spoof

Subjects:

Geology, Zoology, Language

    During a conversation between the 'Penny-a-Liner' and his wife, the former refers to a dish as consisting of 'the rabbit from the Cambrian Principality, or the four-footed quadruped from a seaport not a hundred miles from Ostend'.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery; Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Technology, Crime

    Following the passage of the 'Garrotting Act' in July 1862 (legislation making forcible robbery punishable by flogging), this article suggests that the public will still need to protect itself from 'garrotting ruffians' and proposes several garments which will fulfil this task. These include 'great coats made à-la-porcupine', 'SNIP AND CO.'S steel helmet' and 'coat of mail'. The illustration shows a man, 'CAVE TOMKINS', wearing clothes to which huge spikes have been attached and defying garrotters to 'try it on again'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Engineering, Health

    Discusses a communication from Alexandria on the progress of Ferdinand, vicomte de Lesseps's Lesseps, Ferdinand, vicomte de (1805–94) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> Suez Canal
Close   View the register entry >> Suez Canal Suez Canal
Close   View the register entry >> and laments the punishing conditions suffered by the canal builders.

Genre:

Drama, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoological Gardens, Gender, Education, Astronomy, Instruments

    Includes Mr Naggleton's response to a letter from one of his children who asks his father whether he can take him and his brother to the 'sologcal Gardings [Zoological Society Gardens Zoological Society of London —Gardens
Close   View the register entry >>] today' (238). Later Mrs Naggleton insists, in reference to her husband's praise of her educational prowess, that 'When a husband begins to praise, a wife should look out for an insult that is seldom far off'. Mr Naggleton replies, 'LORD ROSSE'S Parsons, William, 3rd Earl of Rosse (1800–67) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> telescope wouldn't show you one in this case, my dear'.

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Crime, Nutrition, Sanitation, Health, Animal Husbandry, Breeding, Psychology

    Describes the exhibits 'At the Metropolitan Fat-Cattle Show Smithfield Club—Cattle Show
Close   View the register entry >>, Dec. 1862' of Joshua Jebb Jebb, Sir Joshua (1793–1863) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, the surveyor-general of prisons. Pays particular attention to 'the Dartmoor or Portland variety of the old black-legged, coarse-featured, bull-headed, thick-necked Newgate Newgate Prison
Close   View the register entry >> Breed'—an allusion to the fact that Jebb designed Dartmoor Prison Dartmoor Prison
Close   View the register entry >> and Portland Prison Portland Prison
Close   View the register entry >>. The report describes the inmates in Jebb's prisons as if they were lambs. These 'lambs' are judged to be 'the most perfect examples yet seen of what may be done to develope the animal by careful selection of the stock' and by subjecting the 'animal' to good conditions of 'health and comfort'. Compares the 'old Newgate breed', that is generally 'uncared for', to Jebb's animals, who 'are the very perfection of development' and have the 'general air of content and well-being'. Warns, however, that his are a 'very costly breed' who tend to 'break bounds and run wild', but adds that Jebb has successfully dissipated the idea that 'lambs of this class ought to be kept hard', and that large numbers of his animals have been safely let loose and won the praise of senior judges. (243) Proceeds to praise the good feeding and the healthy conditions that Jebb's lambs enjoy, but expresses concern that this breeding may create 'inflammatory tendencies' (243–44).

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Crime, Nutrition

    Discusses John B Byles's Byles, Sir John Barnard (1801–84) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> remarks on the quality of prisoners' diets. Agrees with him that were a labouring man to be fed on a poor diet he would be deprived of his 'only wealth', but stresses that the same cannot be said for the 'thieving man' who, after suffering a poor prison diet, is deprived of the strength to 'clutch the throat and batter the heads of people' as soon as he is let loose upon society. Urges that such individuals should be fed on a 'less generous diet'.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Crime, Nutrition, Health, Measurement

    Shows one of a line of prison inmates being weighed on some scales. On seeing that the prisoner weighs eighteen stone, a prison official (possibly Jebb himself) remarks 'Oh, you'll do;—here's your Ticket-of-leave', a reference to Jebb's healthy and relaxed regime of correction.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Engineering, Steamships, Commerce, Patronage

    Discusses a report of the delight experienced by Ferdinand, vicomte de Lesseps Lesseps, Ferdinand, vicomte de (1805–94) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> on seeing water flow into a tributary of his Suez Canal Suez Canal
Close   View the register entry >>, suggesting, however, that Lesseps would prefer to see subscriptions for the canals flowing in.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Engineering, Periodicals, Progress, Accidents

    Discusses the apology offered by the directors of the Metropolitan Railway Company Metropolitan Railway Company
Close   View the register entry >> for the delay in the opening of their scheme, which was published in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> but was apparently prompted by Mr Punch's recent article on the subject (Anon, 'A Growl at the Underground', Punch, 43 (1862), 228). States that the cause of the delay was reportedly 'the Fleet Ditch irruption', which stalled the Farringdon Street terminus, but urges the directors to have the motto of 'slow and sewer' rather than 'swift and smash'. Ends by noting that such excitement has been caused by the opening of the railway in the New Road that surprising acts of goodwill were observed such as 'omnibus cads' speaking 'civilly to passengers'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Health, Commerce, Accidents

    Following discussion in the Lancet Lancet (1823–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> and Cornhill Magazine Cornhill Magazine (1860–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> on the 'The Effect of Railways on the Health', notes that a 'distressed shareholder' wishes 'some great analytical enquirer would start another scientific investigation' into the 'Effects of the Railways on the Pocket'. The shareholder anticipates that the effects will be 'disastrous', with the 'constant collisions, the numerous accidents, the alarming ups and downs of the Stock Exchange Stock Exchange
Close   View the register entry >>', and other problems having 'completely paralysed' his pocket.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Crime, Nutrition, Health

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Technology, Health, Industry, Manufactories

    Reports that a 'Sewing Machine' has died owing to competition with other machines that 'didn't require feeding, nor clothing, and could live rent free'. Concludes that this (evidently human) sewing machine 'was a poor Shirt-maker'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Amusement, Animal Behaviour, Animal Development

    Discusses an advertisement in the Bengal Hurkaru Bengal Hurkaru (1795–1866) Indian Daily News (1866–1900+) COPAC
Close   View the register entry >> for an ourang-outang that can entertain and wait on its owners. Anticipates the delight caused by having such a monkey dressed in footman's livery and acting as a servant or valet.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Taxonomy, Ornithology, Zoology, Politics

    Comprises three letters between Mr Punch and Richard Owen Owen, Richard (1804–92) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> discussing the nature of a 'specimen of an American Eagle' sent to Mr Punch by the Secretary of the United States Treasury, Salmon P Chase Chase, Salmon Portland (1808–73) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>. Owen informs Mr Punch that the specimen is not an eagle but a 'turkey-buzzard', but the latter stands by his belief that the specimen is an eagle, stressing that he is 'too wide awake to mistake such a "varmint", or indeed, any other kite that MR. CHASE might fly, for the genuine Gold Eagle, which was once the pride of America'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Mental Illness, Crime, Religious Authority, Colleges

    Begs the opinion of the British judges, the Royal College of Physicians Royal College of Physicians
Close   View the register entry >>, and the Royal College of Surgeons Royal College of Surgeons
Close   View the register entry >> in the case of a man sentenced to death for murder, who, according to his defence counsel, committed the offence under the influence of 'religious homicidal monomania', a judgement with which a committee appointed by the Real Academia de Ciencias Real Academia De Ciencias Exacatas, Físicas y Naturales
Close   View the register entry >> agreed. Presents a newspaper report of the case that, in Punch's opinion, shows no evidence of monomania and expects that British judges will agree that the convict 'knew very well what he was about', and that the only 'monomania' was that lurking in the convict's Catholic 'premises'. Invites religious and medical figures, including Nicholas P S Wiseman Wiseman, Nicholas Patrick Stephen (1802–65) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, Forbes B Winslow Winslow, Forbes Benignus (1810–74) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, Daniel H Tuke Tuke, Daniel Hack (1827–95) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, to discuss this case of 'orthodox Romanism or raving madness'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Physiognomy, Anatomy, Crime, Human Development

    Discusses a report in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> of the differences between convicts' heads (characterised by 'low retreating foreheads') and 'ordinary people's'. Argues that if it is 'a fact' that 'persons whose brains are deficient in certain regions are practically found to be stupid, brutal, and vicious', then convicts should be imprisoned until their heads have expanded 'to normal proportions'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Measurement, Mathematics

    Wishes Charles Babbage Babbage, Charles (1792–1871) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> would 'at his leisure calculate' the amount of money wasted 'by the London Bridge London Bridge
Close   View the register entry >> blockades'.