Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Homeopathy, Politics, Quackery, Reason, Faith, Mechanics, Mathematics, Spiritualism

    Begins by asking why 'Faith in homeopathy' should 'unfit' 'G' (i.e. Robert W Grosvenor Grosvenor, Robert Wellesley, 2nd Baron Ebury (1834–1918) WBI
Close   View the register entry >>) to represent the author in the Houses of Parliament Houses of Parliament
Close   View the register entry >>. Proceeds to contrast such a belief with 'common sense' and with blind 'faith', which is a 'donkey's guide'. Developing an ironic tone, the author asks that homeopathy not be considered grounds for 'political exclusion' or that such 'wild' beliefs as 'perpetual motion, / Circle squared, or rapping table' be allowed to disqualify a political candidate.

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Politics, Aeronautics, Astronomy

    Comprises reports of the likely outcomes of elections held in various constituencies. Includes the news that at 'Ayr Burges', it is 'not yet settled whether MR. COXWELL Coxwell, Henry (Tracey) (1819–1900) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> or MR. GLAISHER Glaisher, James (1809–1903) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> will retire' and that the 'Astronomer Royal' (George B Airy Airy, Sir George Biddell (1801–92) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>) will 'decide which of the two will go up'.

Genre:

Regular Feature—Proceedings, Drollery; Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

C H B Bennett, Charles Henry (1828–67) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Homeopathy, Medical Treatment, Politics

    The illustration shows a plethora of statesmen performing various symbolic activities. At the bottom, Robert W Grosvenor Grosvenor, Robert Wellesley, 2nd Baron Ebury (1834–1918) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> is seen near a notice displaying the message 'Homeopathy and Humbug', a reference to Grosvenor's support of this controversial medical treatment (6).

Genre:

Regular Feature, Proceedings, Drollery

Subjects:

Railway, Accidents, Politics, Government

    Notes the refusal of the Board of Trade Board of Trade
Close   View the register entry >> (represented by Thomas Milner-Gibson Milner-Gibson, Thomas (1806–84) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>) to interfere with the subject of railway accidents.

Genre:

Dialogue, Spoof

Subjects:

Politics, Government, Crime

People mentioned:

Francis Bacon (1st Viscount St Alban) Bacon, Francis, 1st Viscount St Alban (1561–1626) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

J T Tenniel, Sir John (1820–1914) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Politics, Government

    Following John Tenniel, 'Bacon and Bethell', Punch, 49 (1865), [17] shows Francis Bacon (1st Viscount St Alban) Bacon, Francis, 1st Viscount St Alban (1561–1626) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, clad in sixteenth-century dress, standing over his current successor as Lord Chancellor, Richard Bethell Bethell, Richard, 1st Baron Westbury (1800–73) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>. Bacon tells Bethell, 'Thou has not save thy bacon, my lord—but marry! have not I been called "streaky"'. The source for this line is allegedly À Beckett 1846–48 À Beckett, Gilbert Abbott 1846–48. The Comic History of England, London: Published at the Punch Office
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Quackery, Medical Treatment, Crime, Periodicals, Charlatanry, Commerce

    Discusses two advertisements from 'a respectable Journal'. The first reports the trial of Dr Pritchard Pritchard, Dr (fl. 1865) PU1/49/21/4
Close   View the register entry >>, stating that it 'will form a pretty specimen of the pharmaceutical poisons used in medicine, against which the British College of Health British College of Health
Close   View the register entry >> [...] has protested for the last forty years'. The second is an advertisement for Holloway's Holloway, Thomas (1800–83) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> ointment and pills. Suspects that the 'quacks' at the British College of Health would use both articles to show the support of a 'reputable paper' for Morison's Morison, James (1770–1840) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> pills and Holloway's treatments. Questions whether the 'gentlemen who are responsible for the assertions published as those in the paper' are supporting 'untruths' for 'pecuniary consideration'.

Genre:

Advertisement, Drollery

Subjects:

Politics, Charlatanry, Sanitation, Invention, Commerce

    Puffs a process that is claimed to solve the difficult problem of cleaning character, a procedure which now commands 'high commercial value'. The firm offers to fumigate 'Courts of Bankruptcy, metropolitan or provincial', scour 'Scandal-cases', extract 'Calumnies', dye 'rumours', and promises to conduct its operations 'behind a screen'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Ethnology, Phrenology, Physiognomy, Race, Human Development, Expertise, Belief

    Discusses a recent debate at the Ethnological Society Ethnological Society of London
Close   View the register entry >> on the habits of an Indian 'tribe of savages'—the Cowitchans—who live between Vancouver Island and the Rocky Mountains. Notes Cornelius Donovan's Donovan, Cornelius (c. 1820–72) DNBS
Close   View the register entry >> argument that the tribe's attempt to flatten the skulls of their infants would diminish the children's 'intellectual capacities' and thus suggests that the tribe intended to make their children as much like animals as possible. Believes this opinion would be shared by 'most people', but notes Col. Hawkins's Hawkins, Col (fl. 1865) PU1/49/2/6
Close   View the register entry >> rebuttal of Donovan's argument, which Punch thinks is a snub that 'any physiologist, let alone phrenologist' can expect from an ignorant civil or military servant. However, despite Hawkins's testimony that the Indians' heads were somewhat sharper, insists that such 'anti-phrenology is harder to believe than phrenology'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Accidents

    Discusses a report of an explosion at the works of the Safety Powder Company Safety Powder Company
Close   View the register entry >>, an event which, because it appears to have been 'harmless to the neighbourhood', suggests to Punch that the powder is of limited use and probably something that England exports to its enemies.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Physiology, Anatomy, Zoology, Zoological Gardens

Institutions mentioned:

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

Publications cited:

Hunt 1865 Hunt, Thomas 1865. A Guide to the Treatment of Diseases of the Skin, with Suggestions for their Prevention [...] Illustrated by Cases, 8th edn, London: T. Richards
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Religious Authority, Animal Behaviour, Human Development, Zoological Gardens

    Denies reports that Joseph L Lyne Lyne, Joseph Leycester ('Father Ignatius') (1837–1908) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> ('Brother Ignatius') and his associates have moved from their Norwich monastery to the Zoological Society Gardens Zoological Society of London —Gardens
Close   View the register entry >>. Presents an extract from a news report describing the aggressive attempt by some monks to excommunicate Ignatius—'monkey's tricks' which indicate that the monks are no different from simians. Reports that the 'simious brotherhood' remain at 'their old monkeyry at Norwich' except those members who have deserted it. Compares these renegades to monkeys and to 'vermin' in the Church of England

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Homeopathy, Politics, Government, Public Health

    Suggests that although homeopathy is 'humbug', a homeopath may sit in the House of Commons House of Commons
Close   View the register entry >>, a suggestion prompted by news that members of the French senate had defended the practice. Argues that, since homeopathy 'concerns nothing more than the public health', 'Humbug is at least not less Parliamentary in the British Legislature than it is in the French'.

Genre:

Serial, Essay, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

C H B Bennett, Charles Henry (1828–67) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Railways, Publishing, Time, Comparative Philology, Mental Illness

    The 'Preface' upholds Bradshaw's Monthly Railway Guide Bradshaw's Monthly Railway Guide (1841–1900+) ODNB, s.v. Bradshaw, George
Close   View the register entry >> as one of the greatest of all 'literary efforts', but notes the confusion, error, general unreliability of the work. Nevertheless insists that 'the so-called difficulties are far less real than apparent' and believes that 'an honest student who applies himself [...] to the work, will encounter no greater obstacles' than those 'surmounted by Jean-François Champollion Champollion, Jean François (1790–1832) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> during his laborious researches into the mysteries of the Egyptian hieroglyphics'. Later points out that without this work one would loose mental and physical strength trying to determine information about trains, and would end up in Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum Colney Hatch Asylum
Close   View the register entry >> 'harmlessly playing at Steam-Engines' and engaging in other insane activities. Proceeds to 'Chapter I' which begins by claiming that George Bradshaw Bradshaw, George (1801–53) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> is no more the author of his guide than Christopher Wren Wren, Sir Christopher (1632–1723) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> is of Saint Paul's Cathedral St Paul's Cathedral
Close   View the register entry >> and then pokes fun at the complexities of the book, complexities which prompt the author to question why Bradshaw wrote the book in the first place. The illustration shows a lunatic attempting to drag miniature railway carriages along a floor.

Genre:

Serial, Diary, Spoof

Subjects:

Steamships, Telegraphy, Disease, Meteorology, Engineers, Electricity, Religion, Accidents

    Continuing Mr Punch's representative's diary from the Great Eastern Great Eastern, ship
Close   View the register entry >>, this article includes a description of his nausea. His 'gentleman' friend informs him that the condition 'arises from the effect of the telegraph cable, the iron in water acting as a chalybeate'; later in the voyage, he tells him that the reduction of his nausea is due to the 'galvanic action being reversed by the electricians'. The representative observes that electricians used one end of the cable to direct a lightning flash into a source of illumination on the sea-bed. Reports that on Sunday the cable 'loses a certain and appreciable quantity of power' due to the Sabbatarianism of the Scottish sailors. Later notes that James Anderson Anderson, Sir James (1824–93) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> has orders to 'throw all the electricians and machine people overboard' if 'any accident happens to the Cable'.

Genre:

Reminiscences, Drollery

Subjects:

Darwinism, Evolution, Human Development

    The narrator describes his excursion to Fort Shingles on the 'East Coast'. After arriving at his hotel he is shown to his room and lets out such 'a fearful yawn' that it occurs to him that 'my mouth was becoming as big as [the inhabitants of the town], and that I myself was (Darwinianly) developing into a Shingleite'.

Genre:

Serial—Essay, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [3]

Illustrators:

C H B Bennett, Charles Henry (1828–67) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Railways, Publishing, Reading

    Continuing his assessment of Bradshaw's Monthly Railway Guide Bradshaw's Monthly Railway Guide (1841–1900+) ODNB, s.v. Bradshaw, George
Close   View the register entry >>, the author pokes fun at George Bradshaw's Bradshaw, George (1801–53) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> 'characteristic regard for Truth', the confusing index, and other aspects of the work. The illustrations show Bradshaw in various poses: clinging onto a locomotive's smoke-stack, forming the body of a locomotive (with his head constituting the smoke), and enjoying his work with Prince Edward Edward VII, King of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions Beyond the Seas, Emperor of India (1841–1910) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Steam-power, Education, Engineering, Military Technology

    Ponders an extract from a report in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> on the 'steam-certificates' taken by naval officers at the Royal Naval College Royal Naval College, Portsmouth
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Engineering, Accidents, Comparative Philology, Internationalism, War, Commerce, Industry

    Begins with Neptune chastising his 'mischievous maidens' for swinging on the cable and then explaining why 'that rope in the sea hath been cast'. He explains that the cable is a 'link of electric connection' that will 'strengthen each of affection' between the 'New World and the Old' and thus prevent any further 'fuming or fighting'. He adds that it will also 'tighten' commercial connections, 'lighten' burdensome industry, and 'make freer Free Trade'. Since the cable will also vanquish 'Doubt, distrust, envy, hatred, and malice' and foster peace and goodwill, he urges his mermaids to avoid it.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

J T Tenniel, Sir John (1820–1914) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Engineering, Accidents, Internationalism, Comparative Philology, Gender

    Set on the floor of the Atlantic ocean, the illustration shows several mermaids swinging playfully on a submarine telegraph cable that disappears into the distance. On the left, a stern-looking Neptune shouts at them to 'Get off o'that 'ere cable, can't yer—that's the way t'other one was wrecked!!!'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Engineering, Transport, Government

    Opening with two lines of poetry praising the road-making skills of George Wade Wade, George (1673–1748) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, stresses the woefully muddy state of London's thoroughfares and hails 'with satisfaction' the road-making designs of a Scottish engineer, Mr Mitchell Mitchell, Mr (fl. 1865) PU1/49/5/5
Close   View the register entry >>, whom it proposes should be invited to 'deliver us from our slough of Parochial despond'. Notes from an extract in the Inverness Courier Inverness Courier (1817–1900+) COPAC
Close   View the register entry >> that Mitchell plans to construct roads from 'a composition of broken stones, Roman and Portland cement, and sand' which he thinks will make the road fit for traffic and impervious to heat and wet for 'twenty-four hours'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Mining, Metallurgy, Museums

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Commerce

    Hopes that since, 'in paying out the Atlantic Telegraph Cable, the Atlantic Telegraph Company Atlantic Telegraph Company
Close   View the register entry >> will have paid out a great deal of money', the 'speculation will begin to pay money in'.

Genre:

Serial, Essay, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [4]

Illustrators:

C H B Bennett, Charles Henry (1828–67) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Railways, Publishing, Reading

People mentioned:

George Bradshaw Bradshaw, George (1801–53) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

    Continuing its satirical analysis of Bradshaw's Monthly Railway Guide Bradshaw's Monthly Railway Guide (1841–1900+) ODNB, s.v. Bradshaw, George
Close   View the register entry >>, Punch pokes fun at the key to the guide, offering an alternative explanation of some of the terms and phrases used in the text. For example, interprets the 'Dark Lines' as 'Those in embryo; those about whose arrangements there is some confusion; projected lines, and lines, like the Metropolitan Underground Metropolitan Railway Company
Close   View the register entry >>, or the Great Northern Great Northern Railway Company
Close   View the register entry >> over ground, which, for several miles, journey through tunnels'. The illustrations deploy puns on terms used in the guide. (55) The 'key' to the work is represented as a musical scale with carriages and their passengers appearing as the semi-quavers. 'Wave Lines' are portrayed as two trains, curled up like snakes, in a head on collision. 'Branch Lines' are represented as branches of a tree emerging from the back of a steam locomotive.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Homeopathy, Reason, Faith, Medical Treatment, Medical Practitioners, Patronage, Physics, Force

    Lambasts the 'idiot' who recently stated in the columns of Punch that 'reason and faith ought to decide in questions of medical science'. Retorts that 'medical science' is founded on 'experience' and in this sense is like homeopathy which is rejected by eminent medical men but supported by such men as Richard Whately Whately, Richard (1787–1863) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>. Concludes by arguing that in order to produce an effect the doses of homeopathic medicine, like forces in physics, only need to be 'infinitesimal' and 'properly applied'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Government, Zoology, Animal Behaviour

Genre:

Serial, Diary, Spoof

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Technology, Steamships, Travel, Electricity, Experiment, Instruments, Navigation, Engineering, Accidents, Zoology, Comparative Philology

    Mr Punch's representative explains the reasons for the week-long delay in his message, and then describes aspects of the week aboard the Great Eastern. He notes how the 'paying out' is proceeding 'merrily', and then explains how a 'large piece of metal ran into the cable and immediately began letting off the electricity into the sea', a event leading to an explosion in the water and 'bitter reproaches' from the British public. The following day he describes how he has been told not to 'let our line become entangled with the Equinoctial line' and then attempted electrical experiments with rudimentary apparatus. On the Sunday, he reports that the sermon was banned owing to the claim by the electricians that 'the monotony of a single voice, for a long period, has some disturbing effect on the electric current, which they cannot exactly explain'. The next day he worries about the kraken (a creature that he does not regard as 'fabulous') being enraged by the sight of the Great Eastern, and thinks that it should have kept its former name, Leviathan. Later he reads Hobbes 1651 Hobbes, Thomas 1651. Leviathan; or The Matter, Forme, & Power of a Common-Wealth, Ecclesiasticall and Civill, London: Andrew Crooke
Close   View the register entry >> for the 'latest zoological information' and notes that compasses are rendered useless by 'the pressure of so much electrical matter'. Later in the voyage he is shown the new kink in the cable. A 'Deputation from the Company, the Electricians, and the Captain and the Crew' then told him that the telegraph 'was really a private affair' and that he should not report 'dreadful' occurrences until his return to England.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Anatomy, Physiology, Physiognomy

    The poet expresses his love for his 'sweetheart' by describing those of her anatomical and physiological features that he finds so appealing. For example, he waxes lyrical about 'The heart of this is in thy power, / Chordaw tendineae, valves and all', that 'Above those orbits mind is there, / Anterior lobe, os frontis full', 'How lax each ligamentous band / That binds the metacarpal bones'. He concludes by hoping: 'may that hand's palmaris be / Stretched close as possible to mine'.

Genre:

Drama, Spoof

Subjects:

Amusement, Education, Light, Invention, Discovery, Geology, Stratigraphy, Military Technology, Chemistry

    After a 'Prologue', which explains that the characters in the drama will 'blend [...] Passion and fiction, with some valued fact', proceeds to the drama, entitled 'The Yacht'. It opens with a scene set in the Isle of Wight where Lord Charles Chobham and his friend engage in conversation. After using a telescope to observe the Portsmouth steamer 'that should bring my beloved Harriet', Chobham offers his own account of the invention of the telescope, which he thinks was first 'noticed' by Leonard Digges Digges, Leonard (1520–59?) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, 'described' by Roger Bacon Bacon, Roger (c. 1219–c. 1292) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, and made by Jacob Metius Metius, Jacob (d. 1628) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> and Zacharias Jansen Jansen, Zacharias (1588–1631) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> 'a quarter of a century' before Galileo Galilei Galilei, Galileo (1564–1642) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>. The second act is set in an undercliff, where an assasin, 'IPPOPOTAMOS PREPOSTEROS', describes the geological strata before him in surprising detail. His attempt at assassination is foiled by his use of Mr Gale's Gale, Mr (fl. 1865) PU1/49/6/6
Close   View the register entry >> 'safety powder' which is 'guaranteed not to go off', owing to 'chemical components' effecting an 'isolation between the granulated particles'. In the conclusion of the drama, the characters reiterate their lessons, including those on the telescope and geology.

Genre:

Announcement, Spoof

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

[Charles H Bennett] Bennett, Charles Henry (1828–67) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Cruelty, Hunting, Morality

    The initial letter forms part of a large branch of a tree on which walk various huntsmen (lead by Mr Punch and his dog Toby) and, in opposition to them, a range of animals (including grouse, foxes and partridges) holding petitions. The text reveals that the petition is addressed to the 'Sportsmen of Great Britain' and describes the animals' despair at the prospect of being killed or injured and urges that the 'battue-shooting be in future discontinued', owing to its 'barbarous nature', and that other inhumane aspects of hunting be banned.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Veterinary Science, Animal Husbandry, Disease

Genre:

Serial, Essay, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [3]

Illustrators:

C H B Bennett, Charles Henry (1828–67) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Railways, Publishing, Reading

    The initial letter forms part of an illustration showing a male figure being chased along a railway line by a steam locomotive and carriages which are bent into the form of a 'w'. This article focuses on some of George Bradshaw's Bradshaw, George (1801–53) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> 'peculiar vein of humour' that runs through Bradshaw's Monthly Railway Guide Bradshaw's Monthly Railway Guide (1841–1900+) ODNB, s.v. Bradshaw, George
Close   View the register entry >>. Some of the misleading and inaccurate terms used in the work are exposed. For example, the author insists that there are 'six classes' of train, from the first class which 'start and arrive', to the sixth class which 'neither start nor arrive, but "run"', and that the first four classes are 'Visibila', while the last two are 'Invisibilia; running probably on the geometrical line, length without breadth'. (64) Mocks Bradshaw's 'mode of stating the distance' which 'starts with a unit and a half'. The other illustrations show 'The Double Janus Guard, for Clapham Junction', an automaton pointsman who points in four directions simultaneously, and a steam locomotive that looks like a vicious spider in its web, complete with railway carriages for legs.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoology, Geology, Palaeontology

    Discusses a report in the Scotsman Scotsman (1817–1900+) BUCOP
Close   View the register entry >> of a 'Live Toad found in a Coal-Field' by a Scottish miner. Punch thinks this contradicts associations of Scotland with philosophy and asks for a Scotsman who could prove he had made this discovery to 'take good care to preserve a curiosity so valuable'.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Quackery, Crime, Medical Treatment, Commerce

    Rejoices at the news that the 'Quack in the Strand' has been sued by a patient for 'malpractice'. Explains that the plaintiff successfully prevented the quack from simply paying his damages, selling off 'his goods', and fleeing. Concludes by noting that the quack 'Kept an odious Museum, weak fools to entrap', and by hoping that other quacks suffer a similar fate.

Genre:

Serial, Diary, Spoof

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Accidents, Engineering, Monstrosities, Physical Geography, Travel, Instruments

    Written from 'Lyndhurst Square, Peckham' on the author's return from his voyage on the Great Eastern. Notes that the cable has been 'put at the bottom of the sea' and describes how 'those who go out on the next expedition' will be able to locate the sunken cable by a buoy that has been attached to it. Later he describes how the ship's gun was fired at the 'great sea serpent, who had several times risen in all his terrors', and how the crew managed to disentangle the ship from the 'equinoxial line'. He makes several other droll observations relating to the laying of the cable, including the fact that his messages from shore had become 'crystallised and electrotyped' and looked like 'copper nails', and the Sphynx Sphynx, ship
Close   View the register entry >> sounded the ocean floor so loudly 'that clouds were brought on'.

Genre:

Serial, Essay, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [3]

Illustrators:

C H B Bennett, Charles Henry (1828–67) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Railways, Publishing, Reading

    Continues Punch's comic observations on the complex and misleading information contained in Bradshaw's Monthly Railway Guide Bradshaw's Monthly Railway Guide (1841–1900+) ODNB, s.v. Bradshaw, George
Close   View the register entry >>. The initial letter of the text forms part of an illustration showing a stern figure surrounded by a train with steam locomotives at its front and rear ends. The other illustrations show several figures attempting to waylay a train with umbrellas, and a large figure striding across the globe. The latter is an 'allegorical' representation of 'nobody going nowhere in no time', itself a comment on a class of trains whose destination and fares are unknown.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Husbandry, Disease, Sanitation

    Aimed at the veterinary surgeon John Gamgee Gamgee, John (1831–94) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, this article challenges the 'great outcry [...] 'Gainst diseased foreign cattle', and insists that such 'murrain' might be 'home-bred'. Proceeds to warn against the consequences of losing more cattle 'than all that we rear', and calls for 'careful inspection' but not to 'stop importation with view to Protection'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Philosophy, Mechanics, Controversy, Politics

    Notes the controversy in the Saturday Review Saturday Review (1855–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> between John S Mill Mill, John Stuart (1806–73) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> and William R Hamilton Hamilton, Sir William Rowan (1805–65) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> over the possibility of forming an 'idea of motion without a moving body'. Punch insists that this is possible, citing the example of 'the Conservative body, supporting a motion against progress'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Homeopathy, Medical Treatment

Genre:

Introduction, Drollery; Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Light

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Religion, Language, Zoology

    Reports that 'the much-talked of and much-dreaded "Seal of Confession"' is in fact 'THE TALKING FISH'.

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Religion, Religious Authority, Animal Husbandry, Disease

Genre:

Serial, Essay, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Railways, Publishing, Reading

Publications cited:

Bradshaw's Monthly Railway Guide Bradshaw's Monthly Railway Guide (1841–1900+) ODNB, s.v. Bradshaw, George
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Animal Husbandry, Disease, Cultural Geography

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Hospitals, Human Development, Nutrition, Health, Patronage

    Begins by praising the Hospital for Sick Children Hospital for Sick Children
Close   View the register entry >> as an 'excellent institution', but explains that, owing to lack of funds, it cannot expand and treat the 'Scores of little ones' who require medical treatment. Believes that until the hospital is enlarged, the diseases of 'poor children' will have to be prevented instead of cured, not least by a 'more substantial diet'. Accordingly suggests that 'most of us' can support a scheme announced in the Spectator Spectator (1828–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> and organized by the philanthropist G M Hicks Hicks, Mr G M (fl. 1865) PU1/49/9/4
Close   View the register entry >> and his wife, who have provided 'daily dinner for sick children', which has had an 'extraordinary' effect. Praises Hicks's achievement and suggests that his 'good example' be followed wherever possible. Thinks that children's dinner parties could be 'given in all poor neighbourhoods' and that the rich and greedy might have a better idea of this need were they to be less gluttonous.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Physiology, Analytical Chemistry, Zoology, Ornithology

    Discusses a 'paragraph' in the Mechanics' Magazine Mechanics' Magazine (1823–72) Iron: the Journal of Science, Metals, and Manufactures (1872–93) Industries and Iron (1893–99) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> which reports that Théophile-Jules Pelouze Pelouze, Théophile-Jules (1807–67) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> has found that the blood of birds is richer in iron than the blood of man and 'mammiferous animals'. Asks whether Pelouze has analysed the blood of ostriches, 'ferrivorous' birds which may prove an exception to this rule.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

C H B Bennett, Charles Henry (1828–67) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Animal Development, Zoology

    The initial 'S' of the letter forms part of a large illustration showing the development from pupae of butterflies with the bodies of men and women.

Genre:

Serial, Essay, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [2]

Illustrators:

C H B Bennett, Charles Henry (1828–67) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Railways, Publishing, Representation, Progress

    Continuing its discussion of pursuits not detailed in Bradshaw's Monthly Railway Guide Bradshaw's Monthly Railway Guide (1841–1900+) ODNB, s.v. Bradshaw, George
Close   View the register entry >>, assesses some of the pictures to be admired in the fictional 'Charing Cross Gallery', one of which, 'Families Removing' by Mr Taylor, shows a small steam locomotive pulling a large carriage marked 'Families Removing'. Praises the artist for capturing 'the unchanging sea side by side with the variable steam-spirit of the age'. The other illustration shows three anthropomorphous steam locomotives, reading books and playing with a hoop.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Mental Illness, Crime

People mentioned:

John Conolly Conolly, John (1794–1866) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Institutions mentioned:

Melville Hospital Melville Hospital, Chatham
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Animal Husbandry, Disease

Genre:

Diary, 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:

Animal Behaviour, Magic

    Describes the author's struggles against the large number of insects (including a bee, earwigs, myriad wasps and hornets, horseflies and moths) that he encountered in a holiday cottage, a struggle that result in him hating the countryside. The illustration shows two tiny fairies knocking a nail into the tail of a wasp.

Genre:

Drama, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Manufactories, Industry, Environmentalism, Universities, Education, Progress

    Set in a 'First Class Carriage on the Great Western Railway', this drama includes a heated discussion between two passengers about the decision of the Great Western Railway Company Great Western Railway Company
Close   View the register entry >> to 'establish their factory at Oxford'. One of the passengers turns out to be a director of the company, who is determined to destroy the pride of the 'aughty scholars' of the University of Oxford University of Oxford
Close   View the register entry >> and to show them that 'the Railway Hinterest is supreme in this hage of progress'. He dismisses claims that the company could have established a better site at Abingdon, and insists that 'It's a question of Railways against Colleges' and that 'Material utility' is 'above heverything'. He is not fussed at being called a 'vandal', while the other passenger argues that the new factory is a result of 'Oxford tradesmen' wanting revenge on the university 'for having interdicted them from dealing with the undergraduates for fraudulent practices'. (96)

Genre:

Illustration

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

J T Tenniel, Sir John (1820–1914) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Universities, Education, Railways, Technology, Industry, Progress, Class

    Following Anon, 'The Great Western Vandals and Oxford', Punch, 49 (1865), 96, 99, shows a railway navvy with a pick slung over his shoulder and a cigarette in his mouth. Next to him stands an Oxford University of Oxford
Close   View the register entry >> don clad in academic dress. The navvy asks the shocked don: 'Gallon o 'audit ale, guv'nor please. I's got t' blunt to pay vor'n'.

Genre:

Dialogue, Spoof

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Botanical Gardens, Design, Natural Theology, Religion, Animal Behaviour, Hunting, Race, Politics, Controversy

People mentioned:

William Paley, Paley, William (1743–1805) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Philip L Scalter Sclater, Philip Lutley (1829–1913) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

    In this cordial exchange between the bishop and the elephant, the bishop points out that the elephant is the 'new' one from the Jardin des Plantes Jardin des Plantes, Paris
Close   View the register entry >>, Paris, who has been offered as 'another illustration of the wisdom of creation'. Later the elephant denies the bishop's claim that he is French, and emphasises that he is 'a native of Her Majesty's Asiatic dominions, where several exemplary wives mourn my European captivity'. The bishop also asks whether the elephant is descended from that mentioned by John Gay Gay, John (1812–85) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, 'to whom an enterprising publisher of the day offered a handsome sum to write something against orthodoxy'. The elephant regrets that he is and explains that his 'relative was tempted by the bookseller, was cheated, and was—I blush to say it,—reduced in old age to carry a monkey about at fairs', but then surmises that had his ancestor 'resisted temptation and returned to India, he might have become executioner at the court of one of the native princes'. (99) After discussing the question of 'negro suffrage'—which the bishop strongly supports—the elephant bids him farewell and pleads, 'Emancipate the Elephant'. (100)

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Surgery, Language, Commerce

    Discusses an advertisement for Eskell 1865 Eskell, Abraham 1865. Pure Dentistry and What it Does for Us, London: J. Clements
Close   View the register entry >>. Suspects that the quoted testimonial in favour of the work comes from the book's preface, but attempts to understand the advertiser's distinction between 'pure and meretricious dentistry'. Defines pure dentistry to be the 'art' of treating teeth 'at charges that are not extortionate', but questions the possibility of 'meretricious' dentistry.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Ornithology, Monstrosities, Hunting

    Discusses a report of a large heron which, after being shot, was found to have a 'full-grown rat' in its gizzard.

Genre:

Introduction; Announcement, Spoof

Subjects:

Religious Authority, Narcotics, Amusement, Zoological Gardens, Museums, Education, Natural History

    Introduces a spoof petition to the House of Commons House of Commons
Close   View the register entry >> from 'Professing Christian Publicans' and other tradesmen, who, on sabbatarian grounds,wish to stop the opening of 'public institutions devoted to art, science, and natural history' on Sunday, although they wish public houses to remain open on that day.

Genre:

Serial, Essay, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

C H B Bennett, Charles Henry (1828–67) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Railways

    The initial letter of the text forms part of an illustration showing a steam locomotive as an artist standing before an easel. The significance of this illustration lies in the fact that the article discusses the 'Railway Art', a catalogue to which is provided in Bradshaw's Monthly Railway Guide Bradshaw's Monthly Railway Guide (1841–1900+) ODNB, s.v. Bradshaw, George
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Husbandry, Disease, Language, Nationalism

    Argues that the 'murrain' should not be called (after the German) 'the Rinderpest' but a more English term, 'the Cattlepsy'.

Genre:

Travelogue, Spoof

Subjects:

Astronomy, Meteorology, Heat

    Enjoying the hot weather, the author points out that he is 'told that it's owing to a Comet, which is soon going away'.

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Military Technology, Hunting, Industry, War, Politics, Nationalism

    Begins by reflecting on the cheap ways in which domestic and agricultural 'vermin' are slain and removed from 'house and barn', and 'field and wood', but laments the 'cost must needs be lost, / How many brave men too, / Would we keep down the Austrian lown [calmness], / Or the Prussian thief subdue!'. Concludes by reiterating the high costs of destroying 'Ill beasts in human shape' and is resigned to the fact that the only way to 'bate the foreign pest' is to 'Forge better than their best'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Pollution, Narcotics, Medical Treatment, Railways, Public Health, Sanitation

    Written from the perspective of a cigar smoker, who points out that doctors classify tobacco smoke as an disinfectant, and argues that railway companies should 'repeal their stupid bye-laws against smoking', not least because this will be a 'precaution against contagion'. Emphasises that his views are motivated purely by an 'anxiety about the public health' and a 'sincere interest in sanitary science'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Crime, Pollution

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Husbandry, Disease

Genre:

Serial, Travelogue, Spoof

Subjects:

Monstrosities, Zoology

Genre:

Notes

Subjects:

Physical Geography, Heroism

People mentioned:

James Cook Cook, James (1728–79) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Ornithology, Animal Behaviour, Amusement, Charlatanry

    Discusses the performing birds of Mlle van der Meersch Meersch, Mlle van der (fl. 1865) PU1/49/11/11
Close   View the register entry >>, and speculates on the consequences of teaching the birds how to perform card tricks.

Genre:

Announcement, Spoof

Subjects:

Animal Husbandry, Disease

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery; Proceedings, Spoof

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

C H B Bennett, Charles Henry (1828–67) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Societies, Scientific Practitioners, Zoology, Anatomy, Physics, Physical Geography, Mapping, Technology, Industry, Steam-power, Light, Instruments, Geology, Stratigraphy, Physiology, Physiognomy, Mathematics, Political Economy, Architecture, Mining, Controversy, Mental Illness

    The illustration portrays some of the personalities and subjects that dominated proceedings at the annual meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science British Association for the Advancement of Science
Close   View the register entry >> in Birmingham. In the top left-hand corner, Thomas H Huxley Huxley, Thomas Henry (1825–95) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> and Richard Owen Owen, Richard (1804–92) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> embrace lovingly (and therefore ironically) before an audience of mice with skull heads. Next to them, John Tyndall Tyndall, John (1820–93) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> stands before an audience of chemical jars (adorned with appropriate alchemical symbols and human heads for stoppers). In one hand, Tyndall lances the posterior of Joseph B Jukes Jukes, Joseph Beete (1811–69) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> with a hot poker, a reference to Tyndall's controversy with Jukes over coal measures. In the top right hand corner, a small steam-powered hammer (possibly a parody of James Nasmyth's Nasmyth, James (1808–90) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> steam-hammer) with an eye in its head, is seen lecturing to an audience of penknives, while nearby an ageing David Brewster Brewster, Sir David (1781–1868) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> is seen at 'Section Z', where he holds up one of his stereoscopes before an audience of dividers and a telescope. In the lower left-hand corner Charles Babbage Babbage, Charles (1792–1871) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> is seen lecturing to an audience of large numerical characters who, while sitting on small stools, watch the lecturer pointing to a fish (evoking Babbage's work on political economy). The lower middle of the illustration is dominated by Roderick I Murchison Murchison, Sir Roderick Impey, 1st Baronet (1792–1871) DSBODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, who sits cross-legged on a platform and juggles three globes (an allusion to Murchison's imperial geographical enterprises). Finally, in the lower right-hand corner, an ageing Charles Lyell Lyell, Sir Charles, 1st Baronet (1797–1875) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, in 'Section X Geology', stands before an audience of geological hammers who watch the lecturer dismantle a large portion of a model globe. Near Lyell is George Scrope Scrope, George Julius Poulett (1797–1876) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> who cuts a section of a globe with a spade. The text identifies the author of the report as Professor Fluff, who boasts that his report of the meeting is the only one that is genuine and contains the 'most interesting portions of the scientific proceedings'. He then presents short descriptions of the papers he read at the meeting, all of which poke fun at the language and practices of various sciences. For example, his paper on physiology concerned 'The art of Making Faces', while his mathematics paper consisted of 'a few words on Squaring a Beadle'. The author notes that, on his way to the meeting, a friend had the impression he was attending 'the Donkey Show' (because of the 'ass' in 'association'), and then presents his interpretations of papers presented at the meeting. Under the heading 'Coals' he notes Tyndall's harsh critique of a paper by Jukes on coals; under 'Geology', he notes Murchison's utterances 'about bones' (which prompted 'A Gentleman' to express his enjoyment of 'grilled and devilled' bones), and the association's president John Phillips's Phillips, John (1800–74) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> interest in 'Beaume' as a beverage. (113) Under 'Excursions', the author notes his attempt to compose his mathematical paper 'in the Scientific Room', his attempt to interest 'Geology' in his geological paper, and his failure to get 'Geography' to hear his geographical paper. Turning to the following day's proceedings, he comments on the views of Henry C Rawlinson Rawlinson, Sir Henry Creswicke (1810–95) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> and John Crawfurd Crawfurd, John (1783–1868) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> on cannibals, Rawlinson expressing his desire not to be one, and Crawfurd insisting that 'cannibalism was merely a matter of taste'. This prompted a debate between Mr Blanks and Mr Dash, after which the author claims he tried to present his mathematical paper, stressing the fun of presenting it in a discussion of a totally unrelated subject (cannibalism). The author concludes his report by explaining that, during papers presented in the physiology 'department', he presented his 'Paper on Making Faces' whilst wearing 'false nose and whiskers', but was then summoned outside where he saw the 'Prince of all the Silurias' (Murchison) 'playing on the boot-jack'. He adds that he is now living with this individual in his 'Palace in Colwell Hatchney' (a reference to the lunatic asylum in Colney Hatch Colney Hatch Asylum
Close   View the register entry >>). (114)

See also:

Macleod and Collins 1981 Macleod, Roy and Collins, Peter, eds. 1981 The Parliament of Science: The British Association for the Advancement of Science 1831–1981, Northwood, Middlesex: Science Reviews
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Disease, Language, Animal Husbandry

    'Grinderpest'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Light, Heat, Astronomy, Mechanics, Measurement, Mathematics, Scientific Practitioners, Gender

    Discusses an extract from an article in the Mechanics' Magazine Mechanics' Magazine (1823–72) Iron: the Journal of Science, Metals, and Manufactures (1872–93) Industries and Iron (1893–99) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> which reports that 'a writer in Cosmos Cosmos: Revue encyclopedique hebdomadaire des progres des sciences (1852–70) BUCOP
Close   View the register entry >> has calculated' that the 'mechanical equivalent of the total light of the sun' is '1,230 septillion of "bougies"'. Criticises this extract for being incomprehensible and points out that 'no one cares about giving himself the trouble, either to verify, or disprove' the large figures that 'arithmetical athletes' produce, suggesting that Charles Babbage Babbage, Charles (1792–1871) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> 'would sooner be ground to death by an Italian organ than undertake such an idiotic Herculean task'. Compares this to a recent report of a 'German professor' who 'discovered the difference of the number of hairs on the head of four young ladies'—a delicate activity that Punch thinks should have been stopped.

Genre:

Serial, Essay, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [2]

Illustrators:

C H B Bennett, Charles Henry (1828–67) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Railways, Publishing, Time, Periodicals

    The initial letter forms part of an illustration showing a steam locomotive and carriages which look like a large caterpillar on a leaf. The text begins by noting that Bradshaw's Monthly Railway Guide Bradshaw's Monthly Railway Guide (1841–1900+) ODNB, s.v. Bradshaw, George
Close   View the register entry >> is considered by some commentators to be 'a wild rolicking jovial son of Erin', owing to the confusing information about the arrival times of trains. Proceeds to poke fun at other aspects of the work. Concluding the article and the series, the author lists his intentions, which include cheering the 'confused inquirer' and 'to point the way to wanderers in the Bradshawian mazes'. Beneath the last line is an illustration showing George Bradshaw Bradshaw, George (1801–53) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> riding six locomotives at once, while casting copies of his work to the wind.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Accidents, Language

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Spiritualism, Charlatanry

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Disease, Animal Husbandry, Religious Authority, Supernaturalism, Natural Law, Controversy

    Criticizes the claim made by Samuel Wilberforce Wilberforce, Samuel (1805–73) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> that the disease currently spreading among cattle is 'punishment on the English' for not subscribing sufficient funds for a memorial to Prince Albert Albert [Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha], prince consort, consort of Queen Victoria (1819–61) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, by pointing out that 'foreign cattle are also diseased'. Suspects that the bishop will 'discover another crime, if he is resolved to go beyond natural causes'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Vaccination, Heroism, Internationalism

    Following the recent completion, in Boulogne-sur-Mer, of a statue to Edward Jenner Jenner, Edward (1749–1823) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, suggests that the inscription on the monument might be 'Jenner sais pas'.

Genre:

Serial, Travelogue, Spoof

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

C H B Bennett, Charles Henry (1828–67) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Zoology, Monstrosities, Anatomy, Human Development, Extinction

    The initial letter forms part of an illustration showing the strange inhabitants of the Isle of Man, including its three-legged men (with legs arranged at equal angles around their heads), three-legged farm animals and crustaceans (with similar dispositions of limbs), and the tailless cats, fish, and cocks. Continuing his discussion of the Isle of Man, the author describes the behaviour of the three-legged men and tailless cats. Notes the disadvantages and advantages of having three legs, and laments the imminent extinction of these cats. (123)

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Time, Instruments, Anatomy, Language

    'DENT Dent, Edward John (1790–1853) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> (THE WATCHMAKER). Look in the French Dictionary for "dent".'

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Husbandry, Disease, Religious Authority, Controversy

People mentioned:

Samuel Wilberforce Wilberforce, Samuel (1805–73) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Letter, Spoof; Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Spiritualism, Charlatanry

    The illustration shows two male figures (possibly William H H Davenport Davenport, William Henry Harrison (1841–77) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> and Ira E Davenport Davenport, Ira Erastus (1839–1911) WBI
Close   View the register entry >>) riding a flying banjo, flanked by other flying instruments and flying hands (common objects seen levitating in spiritualist séances). The letter describes alleged 'communications' received from the distinguished early nineteenth-century Lord Chancellor, John Scott Scott, John, 1st Earl of Eldon (1751–1838) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Technology, Accidents

Institutions mentioned:

Great Eastern Great Eastern, ship
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Natural History, Ornithology, Comparative Philology, Laboratories, Creationism, Cultural Geography, Race

    Subtitled 'From our facetious friend who is studying Natural History on the Shores of the Shannon', this article describes the author's visit to the 'Laboratory of the "Patent Patriotic Incubator Company"', which revived the phoenix and which plans to 'extend their re-creations' to the megatherium and the dodo. Notes that 'the scientific operator' blew air onto the phoenix's ashes (which looked 'exceedingly like small coal') and that, despite protests from sceptical onlookers, a 'rara avis' 'rose from the dust-heap', a bird which was 'one that is sacrificed to Epicurus on Michaelmas Day'—an 'Irish goose'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Husbandry, Disease, Medical Treatment, Veterinary Science, Language

    Discusses a letter published in the Daily Express Daily Express (1851–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> which details a cure for 'distemper amongst pigs'. The wording of the letter, however, inadvertently implies that pig owners, rather than pigs, have been suffering from 'this virulent and fatal disorder' and that the pig owners are themselves pigs.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Oceanography, Zoology

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Photography, Representation, Aesthetics

    Shows George and his rich elderly uncle. George, seen holding an artist's palette, thinks his uncle should only spend money on 'Original Pictures' and when his uncle suggests hanging up a 'Chromo' (a Chromo-lithograph) he replies that it should be hung 'behind the back kitchen door!!'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Technology, Accidents, Periodicals

    Claims that the reason why the 'flowing career of the Atlantic Cable' was 'so snappishly interrupted' was because it was not 'properly "registered for transmission abroad"'. Hopes the 'Directors will repair this defect previous to the next issue of their interesting periodical, which, like other serial stories, always manages to break off when we are most interested'.

Genre:

Serial, Diary, Spoof

Subjects:

Amusement, Hunting

Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Railways, Technology

Genre:

Serial, Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Scientific Practitioners, Industry, Pollution

People mentioned:

Georges Cuvier Cuvier, Georges (1769–1832) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Pollution, Public Health, Sanitation

    Discusses an announcement 'from a trustworthy contemporary' describing the decision of the Windsor Board of Health Windsor Board of Health
Close   View the register entry >>, acting in accordance with the advice of Mr Menzies (probably William Menzies Menzies, William (1827–78) WBI
Close   View the register entry >>), to utilize its sewage instead of discharging it into the Thames. Believes that this news will be welcomed by Windsor residents because they will be able to drink the local water. Notes that Menzies has discovered sewage being discharged into other parts of the Thames and anticipates the benefits of the abatement of this 'great nuisance'.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Education, Military Technology, Mechanics, Physics

    Shows a musketry instructor standing by a board on which guns and mathematical diagrams have been drawn. He stands before a class of military cadets to whom he is trying to pass on 'the fact of the Air's resistance and elasticity'. Trying to think of a practical example to illustrate his point, he asks the class for the identity of 'an air-cushion' that could not be compressed. One student replies ''Orse 'air, Sir!'.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Meteorology, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Disease

    Written from the perspective of a rustic, who reflects on the unseasonably hot weather in Britain. Describes some of the effects of the drought on agriculture including the 'darth o'roots', and the poor yield of hay. Believes the 'cattle-plag is uts own cure; / And that's our consolation for the drought', and looks forward to rainfall.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Photography, Invention

    Noting the invention of 'a new process of Photographing on Wood', suggests that this is 'specially adapted for blockheads', but warns that it might make 'plain' persons even plainer.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Photography, Astrology, Charlatanry, Commerce

    Ridicules an advertisement from M Blague Blague, M (fl. 1865) PU1/49/16/5
Close   View the register entry >> 'the celebrated French Astrologer', who claims that, for the cost of the stamps, he can send individuals the cartes de visite of their intended partners.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Hunting, Animal Behaviour, Crime, Nationalism, Race, Government

    Noting a report of a French woman who 'possesses a wondrous skill' in locating and destroying 'poisonous reptiles', urges the government to 'engage her services, and send her to Ireland' where she can track down and destroy Fenians.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Domestic Economy, Gender

Genre:

Introduction, Drollery; Proceedings, Spoof

Subjects:

Mathematics, Animal Husbandry, Disease, Medical Practitioners, Gender, Nutrition, Narcotics

    Introduces the list of papers that, owing to 'want of time, loss of manuscript, illegibility of handwriting' and other reasons, were not read at the recent Sheffield meeting of the Social Science Congress Social Science Congress
Close   View the register entry >>. The papers include '"Political Arithmetic, proving the common calculation that two and two make four to be a vulgar error". By an Ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer', 'The Grinderpest; or, Street organist', and 'What will MISS GARRETT Anderson (née Garrett), Elizabeth (1836–1917) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> be called in common speech? A Medical "woman"?'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Engineering, Animal Behaviour, Cruelty, Transport, Cultural Geography, Nationalism, Commerce, Government

    Begins by explaining the need for horses and vehicles to travel 'Gently over the stones' of London's streets, pointing out that this motion helps crush the 'rough angular pieces of granite [...] into a passable state', stones which otherwise would damage horses' feet. Accuses the Commissioners of Works of the 'hoggish brutality' of not crushing the road stones and presents an extract from the Morning Post Morning Post and Daily Advertising Pamphlet (1772–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> describing the use in Paris of 'Steam scavengers' and 'macadamisers' to undertake this task. Believes the heavy steam-roller would be more effective in crushing stones than carriage wheels and horses' feet, and emphasises the fact that the technique is economical and will not scare horses.

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Disease, Supernaturalism, Religion, Metaphysics, Natural Law, Miracle, Pollution, Government, Human Development, Industry, Sanitation

    Referring to recent calls for prayers that will abate the cattle-plague, the poet begins by pondering the identity of those who 'Ordered prayer' and those who question the use of prayer. Describes some of the objects of prayer, including 'Our relieving and our training, / Sewering, scavenging, and draining' and the cessation of other human vices. Proceeds to explain that 'He who links effects and causes, He who works by law, nor pauses [...] knows that prayer is sorely needed', and lists some of the ways in which prayer can thwart the plague: these include the hope that 'ill ways may be looked to [...] Till no more our towns' pollution / Call down plague's grim retribution' and the end of 'centralisation / And self-rule in altercation' which has caused the deaths in 'youth and age'. Concludes by lamenting the children who are 'stunted, / Dwarfed of mind, with senses blunted' and who labour 'on from dawn to dark'ning'. Criticizes the pollution of streams caused by 'our hot quest for riches', and the disgusting accommodation suffered by 'human workers'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Progress, Industry, Commerce, Pollution, Railways

    Addressed to 'Hobson Dobson, Esq., the Chairman of the Omnium Junction Railway Company', this letter discusses a passage in Carlyle 1858–65 Carlyle, Thomas 1858–65. History of Friedrich II of Prussia, called Frederick the Great, 6 vols, London: Chapman & Hall
Close   View the register entry >> in which Thomas Carlyle Carlyle, Thomas (1795–1881) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> laments the noise and smells introduced into England by technological and commercial progress. Objects to Carlyle's criticism of what the author believes to be 'the development of the commercial and industrial resources, mechanical and material progress, of the British Empire'. Interprets Carlyle's attack on the 'Prosperities' that cover 'the at once creditably clean and comely face of England with mud-blotches' and 'miscellaneous squalors and horrors' as an attack on 'those extensive works' which 'constitute sources of such ample emolument to their proprietors', and insists that the pollution is less extensive than Carlyle insists. Tries to deflect Carlyle's complaint about the excessive noise of industry by suggesting that railways and 'any other means of procuring wealth' should not be sacrificed to 'considerations of a merely sentimental nature'. Concludes by attacking Carlyle's view of English manufactures as 'Shoddy' and his critique of mammon-worship.

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Railways, Universities, Progress, Education

    Criticizes plans to construct a railway 'engine smithy' near the University of Oxford University of Oxford
Close   View the register entry >>, an institution that has taken 'some six centuries to make' and which promises to be 'thickly veiled in smoke' if this workshop is established. Laments the possible disfigurement of the colleges and the deafening of Minerva by Vulcan. Concludes by asking the 'gentlemen of the Great Western Great Western Railway Company
Close   View the register entry >>' to keep Oxford as a place for manufacturing only academic products.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Husbandry, Disease, Sanitation, Scientific Practitioners, Methodology

    Discusses an extract from Henry Letheby's Letheby, Henry (1816–76) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> report on the sanitary state of London (a version of which appeared as Letheby 1865 Letheby, Henry 1865. Report of the Sanitary Condition of the City of London, for the Quarter Ending September 1865, London: H. Lownds
Close   View the register entry >>), which describes a small outbreak of cattle disease in the City dairies. Attributes the limited extent of the outbreak to the cleanliness of the dairies, and thinks the 'Bacon' of most cows in this region was saved by the 'Baconian Bacon, Francis, 1st Viscount St Alban (1561–1626) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> philosophy practically applied in experimental sanitary precaution'.

Genre:

Introduction, Drollery; Drama, Spoof

Subjects:

Astronomy, Superstition, Cultural Geography

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Disease

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Environmentalism, Pollution

    Laments a report in the Scotsman Scotsman (1817–1900+) BUCOP
Close   View the register entry >> of the destruction of a large quantity of fish near the banks at Musselburgh, a result of the 'refuse of manufactories'.

Genre:

News-Commentary; Dialogue, Spoof

Subjects:

Meteorology, Commerce, Invention, Technology

    Describes how, after seeing an advertisement for a 'Patent Atmospheric Marine Salvage Company', three characters named Brown, Jones, and Robinson speculate on the object of the business. Robinson suggests that it catches wind wasted in a storm and then saves it up 'for the use of ships becalmed'.

Genre:

Serial, Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoological Gardens, Representation, Steam-power, Invention, Quackery, Commerce, Instruments

Institutions mentioned:

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

    Comprises short numbered paragraphs that offer opinions, wisdom, gossip, news-commentary, and other items of information. These include a fond recollection of a visit to Exeter Change Royal Menagerie Exeter Exchange—Royal Menagerie
Close   View the register entry >> (where the author enjoyed the 'picture of the animals'), Benjamin Disraeli's Disraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield (1804–81) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> remark that Robert Peel Peel, Sir Robert, 3rd Baronet (1822–1895) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> 'traces steam-engines to tea-kettles', advice on beating James Morison Morison, James (1770–1840) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, Bartholomew Parr Parr, Bartholomew (1750–1810) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, and Thomas Holloway Holloway, Thomas (1800–83) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> at their own game of medical quackery, and remarks on an 'article in the last Quarterly Quarterly Review (1809–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> about the Mariner's Compass' (a reference to Hemming 1865
Close   View the register entry >>).

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

C H Bradley Bradley, C H (fl. 1865) PU1/49/19/2
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Technology, Accidents

    Shows Mr Punch standing before a kiosk in a telegraph office. Having asked the 'Clerkess' whether it is 'possible to send a kiss to Brighton', she points out that it is possible, but that it 'must be repeated two or three times to make sure'.

Genre:

Announcement, Spoof

Subjects:

Universities, Education, Anatomy, Political Economy, Magic

Institutions mentioned:

University of Oxford, University of Oxford
Close   View the register entry >> University of Cambridge University of Cambridge
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Industry, Disease, Human Development

    Announces the discovery of a 'new tonic' by Mr Ironside Ironside, Mr (fl. 1865) PU1/49/20/2
Close   View the register entry >> of Sheffield, but explains that it is 'free caloric in combination with carbonic and sulphurous acid gas, and other gases the result of combustion'. Proceeds to describe the case of a young boy who was forced, by Ironside, to work long hours as a cellar-boy at a furnace. Ironside defended himself by arguing that the working conditions he imposed on the child had 'quite a peculiar effect in sustaining the youthful stamina', and Punch concludes that Ironside would claim that hot air impregnated with gaseous combustion products 'inhaled during hard labour for half a day, is the tonic for children of tender age'. Suggests that Ironside's 'tonic' will replace cod liver oil and that the inventor will be rewarded with a fellowship of the Royal Society Royal Society of London
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Disease, Surgery, Cultural Geography, Heroism, Patronage, Nationalism

    Describes the assiduous attention which house surgeons and students give to patients in cholera hospitals, and notes that 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 has awarded two such practitioners the Cross of the Legion of Honour. Considers that 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 >> 'will not be advised to follow the example set here', notwithstanding the comparable industry of British medical practitioners dealing with cholera, and that 'surgical hardihood' will not receive the recognition in Britain that it does in France. Concludes by arguing that a doctor who 'combats contagion' should not be treated like a military hero.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

D M Du Maurier, George Louis Palmella Busson (1834–96) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Exhibitions, Aeronautics, Accidents, Commerce

    Shows an 'Adventurous Husband' standing in a drawing-room while his wife and mother-in-law relax in chairs. The husband announces that he is going to the Crystal Palace Crystal Palace
Close   View the register entry >> where he may ascend in 'Mr. Glaishwell's Balloon' (a reference to the aeronauts 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 >>). The mother-in-law asks whether this will invalidate his life assurance.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Photography, Anaesthesia, Telegraphy, Nationalism, Race, Cultural Geography

    Includes the announcement that 'I will never be photographed again except under chloroform', and news that a 'fellow in America has vaunted that it was a Fenian who destroyed the Atlantic Cable', a story 'illustrating a renegade Irishman's instinctive aversion to rope'.

Genre:

Announcement, Spoof

Subjects:

Hospitals, Accidents, Medical Treatment

Institutions mentioned:

Guy's Hospital Guy's Hospital
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Nationalism, Telegraphy

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoology, Natural History, Animal Behaviour, Human Development, Controversy

Institutions mentioned:

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

    Announces that 'the celebrated baboon, "John Mitchell", has escaped from custody in America', and hopes that Paul B Du Chaillu Du Chaillu, Paul Belloni (1831–1903) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> 'will be telegraphed for' to capture it.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

J T Tenniel, Sir John (1820–1914) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Animal Husbandry, Disease, Nutrition, Commerce

    Shows a wealthy and obese butcher standing in his shop, his hair sticking up in the shape of devil's horns. Before him stands a small woman who, shocked at the butcher's mockery of her request for beef at fourteen pence a pound, drops her key and basket.

Genre:

Serial, Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Invention, Domestic Economy, Scientific Practitioners, Technology, Steam-power, Class, Machinery, Invention

    Includes the assertion that Kent should be assigned to 'the ingenious inventor of machines for promoting Domestic Economy', arguments against the theory that Francis Bacon (1st Viscount St Alban) Bacon, Francis, 1st Viscount St Alban (1561–1626) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> wrote 'the valuable part' of William Shakespeare's Shakespeare, William (1564–1616) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> plays, criticisms of the old-fashioned nature of almanacs, and the argument against the superiority of 'mechanical genius' (which is supported by the claim that 'Abstract thinking is the occupation of the true gentleman—steam engines is low').

Genre:

Introduction; Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Disease, Sanitation, Government, Cultural Geography, Pollution

    Identifying 'a Briton's prejudices in favour of "vested rights"' as one of the most 'stubborn' of all facts, explains how a willingness to do what one wants in one's house can 'obstruct the efforts of the Local Board or Nuisance Removal Committee'. Presents a report of a 'Visiting Committee lately appointed to inspect a little seaside village, where Cholera has been observed to be hanging about' and where there was a ready supply of its breeding grounds—'foul air and filthy water'. Name the village 'Mudfog'—a 'model village' whose openness to disease can be found in most English villages. The 'report' of the medical officer consists of shorter reports on various houses, vessels, and cottages, which suffer from such evils as foul air and dirty water, and whose residents show a casual and fearless attitude to cholera, and who are either ignorant or fearful of disinfectant methods.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Progress, Railways, Industry, Universities, Education, Utilitarianism, Materialism

    Ironically rejoices at the news that the Great Western Railway Company Great Western Railway Company
Close   View the register entry >> and University of Oxford University of Oxford
Close   View the register entry >> have agreed on the construction of a railway factory at Oxford. Views this as the 'conquest of mediæval sentiment by modern principles, of spiritual idealism by material utility'. Anticipates the eclipse of Oxford's spires by 'factory chimneys, pointing higher towards heaven', the coating of the moss-covered 'ecclesiastical structures' with soot, and the breakage of the 'gloomy silence and melancholy repose' of academic life by 'gangs of jolly British workmen', and the smothering of the 'seat of learning' by a 'hive of industry'.

Genre:

Serial, Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Chemistry, Nutrition

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology

    'Go into a towering passion'—a reference to Coles's turrets for ironclad warships.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Commerce, Quackery, Medical Treatment, Heat, Instruments, Gender

    Responds to an advertisement from 'One who has derived considerable benefit from the constant use of Morison's Morison, James (1770–1840) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Vegetable Pills [...] 2s 6d'. Argues that this invigorating system of advertisement should be 'more generally adopted' and presents some examples. These include 'A Lady, who by procuring one of ZEGRETTI AND NAMBRA's registering thermometers, has been able to tell her friends "How cold it has been"'; this refers to the instrument-making firm of Enrico A L Negretti Negretti, Enrico Angelo Ludovico (Henry) (1818–79) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> and Joseph W Zambra Zambra, Joseph Warren (1822–97) WBI
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Serial, Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Engineering, Engineers

Genre:

Introduction, Drollery; Drama, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Time, Amusement

    Begins by wondering whether William Shakespeare Shakespeare, William (1564–1616) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> supported 'Railway time', a question that the author thinks will be addressed by the management of the Standard Theatre Standard Theatre, Shoreditch
Close   View the register entry >>, which adjoins the City extension of the lines of the North London Railway Company North London Railway Company
Close   View the register entry >>. Presents a new version of a play featuring King Henry I Henry I, King of England and Lord of Normandy (1068/9–1135) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>. The constant interruption of the actors by deafening railway noises suggests that Shakespeare's dramas do not accord with railways.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Meteorology, Commerce, Instruments

    Begins by describing the popularity of the weather as a topic of conversation, especially when the weather is 'exceptional'. The 'uncommonly fine summer' of 1865, for example, created many 'weather prophets' as well as much conversation. Given the number of predictions, suggests that the weather 'might quite properly be made a thing to be bet upon', with people 'betting on the rise and fall of the barometer, just as speculators do upon the rise and fall of consols'. Expects that this form of speculation 'would be fully as substantial as many other', and hopes to see the establishment of a 'Weather Exchange', where 'weather-brokers' would buy and sell such quantities as inches of mercury. Stresses that one advantage of this form of wager is that the 'men could not rig the market' by causing an 'artificial elevation or depression in the tube'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Societies, Religion, Religious Authority, Geology, Design, Heterodoxy, Unbelief, Controversy

    Announcing the formation of the Victoria Institute Victoria Institute or Philosophical Society of Great Britain
Close   View the register entry >>, under the presidency of Anthony A Cooper (7th Earl of Shaftesbury) Cooper, Anthony Ashley, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury (formerly styled 'Lord Ashley') (1801–85) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, the author suggests that, given its objects, it should be called 'an Anti-Geological Society' that seeks to 'sustain what are called orthodox views'. Congratulates the members of the society for showing that 'To write and publish candid and well weighed argument is the true way to make war for or against a faith', a course that Punch thinks is wiser than simply denouncing geologists as infidels and calling them other unsavoury names. Criticises the fact that the society has stuck a 'fragment of text into the first paragraph, because this is a bit of Claphamism' and that it appears to be repudiating the virtues of philosophy, but concludes by insisting that this is not a 'grave' objection to an otherwise 'welcome' society.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Technology, Accidents, Commerce

    Discusses an extract of an article from The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> which consists of a garbled telegram sent from China: 'Question United States Treaty tim latms Pashisky worse'. Ponders the cost of transmitting this information and its use. Offers some general remarks about the unintelligibility of telegrams. Wonders that the 'workers of a telegraph should take the trouble to transmit such gibberish by their wires', given that it could be 'easily concocted at the place where it is said to be received'. Ponders the legal problems associated with sending such information and whether the sender can be compensated for garbled messages. More sceptically, the author wonders why people 'should submit to pay' for such messages and 'that any one should place the least reliance on a telegram' given the grave mistakes made in them.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Animal Development, Animal Behaviour, Instinct, Crime

    Begins by insisting that the best that a 'benevolent mind' can do for the 'lower animals' is to allow them to cultivate 'their peculiar propensities'. Proceeds to protest against the actions of an officer of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Close   View the register entry >> who, with the help of several policemen, stopped a 'triumphant' dog-fight in Manchester. Notes that these dogs subsequently spent a night in a police cell and insists that the society stopped the dogs from delighting in their natural propensity to bark and bite. Argues that the motives of the society are misplaced, pointing out that dogs fight 'of their own accord'. Adds that depriving dogs of this activity also stops spectators from relishing animals enjoying themselves.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Development, Animal Behaviour, Extinction, Natural History, Politics

    Likens the Tories to wolves—a species believed to be extinct but which were found by the 'eminent naturalist' John Bright Bright, John (1811–89) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> to be 'still in existence' and 'rampaging about England' and 'hungering and thirsting to undo all the good that has been done for the last seventy years'.

Genre:

Serial, Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Taxonomy, Language, Animal Behaviour, Natural History, Scientific Practitioners

    Includes remarks on the name of the 'great May fly' and on the reputation of Francis Bacon (1st Viscount St Alban) Bacon, Francis, 1st Viscount St Alban (1561–1626) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> as the author of some works by William Shakespeare Shakespeare, William (1564–1616) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Government, Politics, Public Health, Pollution

Genre:

Announcement, Drollery

Subjects:

Periodicals, Medical Treatment, Disease, Health

    Puffs Punch's Almanack Punch's Almanack (1842–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> as a cure for a range of ailments, including 'ill humours' and 'nervousness'.

Genre:

Reminiscences, Drollery

Subjects:

Exhibitions, Display, Amusement, Machinery, Lecturing, Science Communication, Electricity, Magnetism, Instruments, Electromagnetism, Cultural Geography

People mentioned:

Benjamin Franklin, Franklin, Benjamin (1706–90) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> William R Grove, Grove, Sir William Robert (1811–96) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> John H Pepper Pepper, John Henry (1821–1900) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

    The author describes in great detail a visit to the Royal Polytechnic Institution Royal Polytechnic Institution
Close   View the register entry >>. He begins by explaining that the shilling entrance fee prompted him to accept his friend's invitation to visit the institution. Proceeds to describe the myriad moving machinery on display, the bustle of the crowds, and the commercial aspects of the exhibition, including 'electrical eels wriggling', 'spinning jennies hard at it, a glass-blower in a paroxysm of scientific joy over a hot gas-light', 'scientific sponge cakes' for sale, and 'civil officials [...] running up and down stairs for no apparent reason'. Explains how the 'Cosmoramic views' provided welcome relief from this intense movement, and laments the absence of the diving bell and diver that was once a key attraction in the exhibition. Describes how all the commotion ceased when a siren sounded and 'a stout, amiable lecturer', standing behind a counter, began to speak to the crowd. Presents a report of the lecture on the 'Thermal Battery', which notes only the key words and phrases that the author was able to hear, and the responses of the audience to the lecturer's remarks and practical demonstrations. The report suggests that the lecture began with a brief history of electricity leading up to the thermal battery and then, much to the audience's disappointment, the lecturer announced that his large electrostatic machine 'will not work' owing to the excessively damp weather. Subsequently, audience members begin to drift away and the lecturer's apparently tedious discussion of electromagnetism only captures the audience's attention when he hits a stone with a piece of iron. After discussing galvanic batteries, the lecturer successfully reclaims his audience with talk of 'one of PHAROAH'S serpents' and concludes his performance. The author describes a choral concert and a performance of comic dialogue held in a room that he associates with scientific and engineering instruments. Later he notes that 'two French gentlemen' had visited the institution under the impression that it was 'The Literary and Scientific Institution of England' but discovered that 'they'd made a mistake'. After an interval, the institution's lecturer presented 'an ingenious optical illusion' comprising the apparent disappearance of a 'feeble old person called the Curator'. (236) After describing the lecturer's narration of a ghost story, the author concludes by emphasising the continuing popularity of the institution and noting his friend's desire to save up his 'Christmas boxes in order to visit the Institution regularly'.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Reading, Medical Practitioners, Display, Amusement, Mesmerism

    Reflecting on the increasing popularity of public readings of novels and other works, anticipates a time when 'some eminent physician' will read 'his own prescription aloud to a crowded audience, who will afterwards witness with delight the comfortable spectacle of the doctor swallowing his own draughts'. Criticises contemporary performers of 'Readings' for their inability 'to mesmerise' their audiences 'into a sympathetic state'.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

D M Du Maurier, George Louis Palmella Busson (1834–96) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Surgery, Gender

    Shows a young surgeon standing in a church pew, with a young woman on either side of him. Not having a hymn book of his own, both women hold their books near him and evidently force the gentleman to run the risk of showing favouritism.

Genre:

Announcement, Drollery

Subjects:

Periodicals, Comparative Philology

Genre:

Serial, Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Breeding, Zoology, Palaeontology, Geology, Religion, Scientific Practitioners, Education, Medical Treatment, Narcotics

    Includes remarks on the breeding pattern of oysters. Announces Friedrich A Roemer's Roemer, Friedrich Adolph (1809–69) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> discovery of a 'fossil spider' in Palaeozoic rock, a 'scrap' that the author thinks will enable the 'Anti-Geological Society' of Anthony A Cooper (7th Earl of Shaftesbury) Cooper, Anthony Ashley, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury (formerly styled 'Lord Ashley') (1801–85) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>—i.e. the Victoria Institute Victoria Institute or Philosophical Society of Great Britain
Close   View the register entry >>—to promote 'Judaism among the Christians'. Remarks that Isaac Newton's Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Kensington house is now a 'ladies' school'. Describes a medical treatment for headaches caused by drinking a particular wine.

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Disease, Medical Treatment

Institutions mentioned:

St George's Hospital St George's Hospital
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Homeopathy, Medical Treatment, Crime, Physiology, Surgery

Institutions mentioned:

King's College Hospital King's College, London—Hospital
Close   View the register entry >>

    Discusses an extract from a West Country Gazette West Country Gazette (cited 1865) PU1/49/25/8
Close   View the register entry >> report of a man who, after having 'an immense tumour' removed from his face, was subsequently sentenced to hard labour for poaching. Punch puzzles over the implication in the report that the operation was conducted to remove the man's poaching habits.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Agriculture, Experiment, Patronage

    Discusses an article in the Morning Star Morning Star (1856–69) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> describing a testimonial fund for John J Mechi Mechi, John Joseph (1802–80) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> whose 'Deep draining, and sparse sowing, and liberal manuring' and 'experiments in farming' have, according to Punch, enabled farmers to grow crops on poor land. Firmly rejects arguments that Mechi is an enemy of farmers (owing to the increased rents of improved land) and upholds the claim that intelligent farmers have benefited from his 'trials'. Concludes by expecting such farmers to contribute to the fund and by pointing out that if all farms were 'farmed as well as Tiptree' (Mechi's farm) then 'agricultural distress' would be prevented.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Railways, Time, Accidents, Government

    Drawing attention to 'the great number of branch lines' used as an excuse for 'Railway unpunctuality', warns that as branch lines multiply 'so are the chances of stoppage and accident'. Noting the 450 applications for new railways published in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>, argues that rejecting these applications would be the best way of preventing railway delays.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Homeopathy, Animal Husbandry, Medical Treatment

    Notes the formation of a society, presided over by John W S Churchill (6th Duke of Marlborough) Churchill, John Winston Spencer, 6th Duke of Marlborough (1822–83) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, for 'trying the effect of homeopathy in the treatment of murrain', and expects to be surprised if an infinitesimal dose of arsenic will cure 'a large ox'.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [3]

Illustrators:

T W W Woods, T W (fl. 1865) PU1/49/26/2
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Breeding, Animal Husbandry, Animal Development, Darwinism

    Provides three contrasting pictures of a pig, illustrating how it used to be, is now, and 'what it must come to'. The first pig is black and relatively lean, the second shows the fatter 'modern improvement', while the third, anticipating future developments, is so obese that its limbs have completely disappeared into its torso.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

C H B Bennett, Charles Henry (1828–67) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects: