Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Pollution, Breeding, Politics

    Presents an extract from a Devon newspaper describing Buckland's gratitude to the Corporation of Exeter Corporation of Exeter
Close   View the register entry >> for awarding a grant towards the improvement of Devon rivers, a move that he thinks will result in plenty of 'delicious fish'. The poem comments on this news item, emphasising the link between money and fish.

Genre:

Announcement, Spoof

Subjects:

Representation, Heroism, Astronomy, Mechanics, Physics

    Announces a proposal to 'add a room full of astronomical celebrities' (implicitly to Madame Tussaud's Waxworks Madame Tussaud's Waxworks
Close   View the register entry >>), including Nicholas Copernicus Copernicus, Nicholas (1473–1543) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, Galileo Galilei Galilei, Galileo (1564–1642) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, Isaac Newton Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, and William Herschel Herschel, Sir William (1738–1822) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>. Insists this will be 'a Chamber of Horrery' rather than a 'Chamber of Horrors'.

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:

Entomology, Commerce, Charlatanry

    Shows an organizer of horse-racing bets as a gigantic spider, which wears a saddle and jockey's hat, and has legs labelled with such shady activities as 'welching', 'hocussing', and 'touting'. The spider sits in its huge web in which are caught several humans with flies' wings. These include a swell, a royal prince, a lady, and a policeman.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof, Serial

Subjects:

Gender, Education, Politics, Medical Practitioners, Universities, Domestic Economy

    Addressed to Judiana, this letter reflects on the developments in women's education and the role of women in society, and defends the 'Rights of Men'. Mrs Punch tells her daughter of her relief that she is not writing the letter 'fifty years hence', when the reforms of John S Mill Mill, John Stuart (1806–73) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> and others will have lead to 'young ladies' becoming 'M.A.'s and M.D.'s, and Curates and Barristers, and Members of Parliament Houses of Parliament
Close   View the register entry >>'. Denies that 'the study of Greek and Algebra' will 'make ladies better housekeepers and financiers than they are now'. Upholds the virtues of the present system of female education, in which women learn such activities as singing, dancing, and the ability to 'discuss with knowingness every topic of the day'. Also explains her advocacy of the 'Rights of Men'. (7)

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

L S Sambourne, Edwin Linley (1844–1910) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Gender, Zoology, Amusement

    Shows a woman wearing a large dress designed to make her look like a mermaid. A swell looks in bemusement.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Proceedings, Drollery

Subjects:

Government, Politics, Railways, Charlatanry, Measurement, Commerce

Genre:

Song

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Mental Illness, Government, Politics, Disease

    Written from the perspective of a dog who attacks Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mayne's 'Dog Days Act' as an 'operation sinister', not least because it forces vagrant dogs to wear muzzles which 'hinder Hydrophobia' but 'prevent our drinking water'. Points out that the 'authors' have forgotten that dogs perspire through their tongues rather than their skin: this legislation therefore prevents them from sweating. Agrees that drunken dogs need to be muzzled, but points out that dogs are 'teetotallers'. Deems the act to be the work of an 'unscientific duffer' who deserves to be bitten. Concludes by asking statesmen how they would like it if these 'Interminable talkers' were muzzled.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Husbandry, Animal Behaviour, Mental Illness, Religion

    Discusses a report in the Waterford Mail Waterford Mail (1823–1900+) North, 1986
Close   View the register entry >> that Irish cattle have become 'half mad' in the heat, a state of affairs which prompts Punch to fear a 'stampede' of Irish and possibly Papal Bulls.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Aeronautics, Pollution

    Urges the Royal Aeronautical Society Royal Aeronautical Society
Close   View the register entry >> to provide air for London, just as the water companies supply water.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Proceedings, Drollery

Subjects:

Education, Mathematics, Physical Geography, Museums, Natural History, Government, Politics

    Notes Robert Lowe's Lowe, Robert, 1st Viscount Sherbrooke (1811–92) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> contribution to the 'Schools debate' in which he advocated instruction in a range of subjects which schools do not provide, including arithmetic and geography. Describes the British Museum British Museum
Close   View the register entry >> debate, noting the opinion of London alderman Andrew Lusk Lusk, Sir Andrew, 1st Baronet (1810–1909) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, who thought the museum contained 'too many things so much alike as to be a bore'. Adds that the trustees of the museum are to have the natural history collection and the sculptures 'sold for what they would fetch'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Government

    Claims that in 'Dog-days' Richard Mayne Mayne, Sir Richard (1796–1868) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> has become a 'Muzzleman'—a reference to Mayne's law to muzzle vagrant dogs.

Genre:

Illustration, Caricature

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:

Zoology, Zoological Gardens, Display, Politics, War

    Shows three 'lions' inside and outside the lion cage at the Zoological Society Gardens Zoological Society of London —Gardens
Close   View the register entry >>. The lion inside the cage is the real 'Zoological Lion' that can be seen for 'Sixpence (On Mondays)'. On the left is the 'Royal Lion' (costing five shillings to see)—a man in military uniform with a lion's mane, which probably represents 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 >>. The lion on the right—the 'Abyssinian Lion', costing one shilling to see—is Robert C Napier Napier, Robert Cornelis, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala (1810–90) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, similarly shown with a lion's mane.

Genre:

Poetry

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

L S Sambourne, Edwin Linley (1844–1910) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Mental Illness, Disease, Crime, Government

    The illustration shows a number of irate policemen chasing a dog. Written from the perspective of a dog, the poem attacks the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Richard Mayne's Mayne, Sir Richard (1796–1868) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> law forcing vagrant dogs to be muzzled. Begins by wondering why dogs should be muzzled in a drought and defends the fact that dogs are 'not more giv'n to rabies [...] Than in winter time'. Similar to Anon, 'Odd Men Out.—The Man with a Nose—He Merges into the Genus "Livery-Man"', Punch, 55 (1868), 241, denies that his species 'go mad' from sweat or thirst but reminds readers that dogs sweat through their tongues—a process made difficult by muzzling. Also challenges the view of the 'Blues' (policemen) that dogs go mad from drink, and proceeds to argue that 'If London areas had tongues', then they would reveal that policemen's teeth were more dangerous than that of dogs. Concludes by imagining what would happen to policemen if they were muzzled.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Aeronautics, Invention, Exhibitions

    Comments on John Stringfellow's Stringfellow, John (1799–1883) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> failure to launch his 'flying machine' at the Crystal Palace Crystal Palace
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Government, Crime

    Considers a 'Shakesperian Title' for Richard Mayne Mayne, Sir Richard (1796–1868) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> to be 'Dog-bury'—a reference to the constable in William Shakespeare's Shakespeare, William (1564–1616) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> comedy Much Ado About Nothing and Mayne's harsh new law regarding the muzzling of vagrant dogs.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Aeronautics, Invention, Exhibitions

Genre:

Catechism, Spoof

Subjects:

Government, Museums, Representation

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Invention, Time, Politics, Government, Instruments, Machinery

    In this thinly-veiled comparison of Benjamin Disraeli Disraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield (1804–81) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> with a sophisticated clock, the author boasts that this 'clever invention' has enabled a 'solid body' to be 'attached to a fixed point while constantly progressing in political space'—a feat enabling Disraeli to have oscillating views without fearing 'being displaced'. Explains that its mechanism remains a mystery but that it resembles 'an ordinary repeater with a dial elegantly enamelled', and has many virtues including a 'powerful alarum' that may 'startle many superstitious people in the dark', 'accuracy', 'self-adjustment', and 'stronger hands'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Transport, Charlatanry, Commerce, Government, Politics, Telegraphy

    Discusses an extract from an anti-government article in the Railway Times Railway Times (1837–1900+) BUCOP
Close   View the register entry >> which describes the effect on the public of the government's withdrawal of the bill to amalgamate Southern railway lines. Punch interprets the article to mean that the railways south of the Thames need to 'extort consent for their rapacious Amalgamation scheme' (allowing trains for different firms to share lines). Wonders if the government will respond by nationalising railways as they have done with the telegraph system.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Proceedings, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Transport, Progress, Government, Politics, Pharmaceuticals, Narcotics

    Opens by lamenting the trouble caused by railways. Believes the return to horses and coaches would be advantageous and is adamant that 'the system is a failure'. Notes the various remarks made by peers (including Henry Labouchere (1st Baron Taunton) Labouchere, Henry, 1st Baron Taunton (1798–1869) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, John T F Mitford (2nd Baron Redesdale) Mitford, John Thomas Freeman, 1st Earl of Redesdale and 2nd Baron Redesdale (1805–86) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, and Robert A T G Cecil (3rd Marquess of Salisbury) Cecil, Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury (1830–1903) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>) regarding railway fares and financial arrangements. Later notes hostility towards the Admiralty Admiralty
Close   View the register entry >> for supplying the Royal Navy Royal Navy
Close   View the register entry >> with ships that are 'good for nothing'. Notes Lord Henry C G G Lennox's Lennox, Lord Henry Charles George Gordon- (1821–86) ODNB, s.v. Lennox, Charles Gordon
Close   View the register entry >> defence of the Admiralty and his promise of 'two-turret ships'. Notes the continuation of the committee stage of the 'Bill for interfering with the sale of poisons'. Thinks there are 'some good things in the Bill' and promises to 'get the Professor whom we keep on the premises to analyse it' (this could be a reference to the regular Punch contributor Percival Leigh Leigh, Percival (1813–89) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, who was affectionately called 'the Professor' by his fellow contributors).

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Steamships, Engineering, Mechanics, Accidents, Nationalism, Technology, Progress, Internationalism

    Attacks the Admiralty Admiralty
Close   View the register entry >> for providing ironclads with an alarming tendency to roll, and anticipates that Britannia will consequently no longer rule the waves but will be ruled by 'France or the United States, and even Germany'.

Genre:

Drama, Drollery

Subjects:

Meteorology, Astronomy, Physics, Heat, Zoological Gardens, Botanical Gardens, Horticulture, Language

    Comprises a dialogue between Mr Grumpy, Mr Bumpy, and Mr Lumpy who sit and air their eccentric views about politics, literature and other topics, each one being a non sequitur to the last. At one point Mr Lumpy explains that the 'reason why the fixed stars give light is that their photospheres are all in a state of the fiercest combination' and that the temperature of the earth seven miles beneath the surface is equivalent to 'red-hot iron'. He insists that he is right because he has just read about it in Lockyer 1868 Lockyer, Joseph Norman 1868. Elementary Lessons in Astronomy, London: Macmillan
Close   View the register entry >> 'just issued by MR MACMILLAN Macmillan, Alexander (1818–96) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>'. Later Mr Grumpy expresses hatred of 'the slang that calls the Zoological Gardens Zoological Society of London —Gardens
Close   View the register entry >> "the Zoo"' and suggests 'the Hort. and the Bot.' as slang for the Royal Horticultural Society Gardens Royal Horticultural Society—Gardens, Chiswick
Close   View the register entry >> and Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof, Serial

Subjects:

Gender, Education, Medical Practitioners

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Military Technology, Experiment, Morality, Patronage

    Tells Mr Punch of his interest in a newspaper article reassuring tax-payers that the gun which recently burst at Shoeburyness was Palliser's private property and was an 'experimental' weapon. Questions the wording of the article insofar as it suggests that taxpayers will be mean-spirited enough to welcome Palliser's loss. Points out that the 'British Public always makes a point of compensating every one who loses either money, life, or limb in its service'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Health, Gender, Amusement

    Discusses an article in the Lancet Lancet (1823–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> which questions why so few medical practitioners wear 'rational' clothing in hot weather, and recommends the use of white flannel which reflects and insulates from heat. Emphasises that men's fashions are less rational than women's, not least the black suits in which they dance. Suggests that men should wear 'a fatigue dress-coat, waistcoat and trowsers' made from white flannel.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Transport, Cultural Geography

    Discusses news of a recent race between a one-horse car and a velocipede, the former being the winner.

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:

Meteorology, Heat, Pneumatics, Instruments, Comparative Philology

    A comment on the swelteringly hot summer of 1868, showing Mr Punch as the greatly perspiring 'Clerk of the Weather'—dressed in a chequered suit, holding a barometer in one hand and a parasol in the other. He raises his parasol as if to strike St Swithun, who rests near some rocks, a watering can standing by his side.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Proceedings, Drollery

Subjects:

Government, Politics, Military Technology, Experiment, Animal Husbandry, Disease, Nutrition, Political Economy, Telegraphy, Commerce

    Describes the exchange between James L O'Beirne O'Beirne, James Lyster (b. 1820) Stenton 1976
Close   View the register entry >> and John S Pakington Pakington, John Somerset, 1st Baron Hampton (1799–1880) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> on the high public cost of 'Target experiments' and the apparently useful forts at Plymouth. Later notes discussion of the 'Cattle Bill', a measure that was purportedly designed to prevent cattle disease, but which Punch thinks was intended to 'raise the price of food'. Notes that the 'Electric Telegraphs Bill went through Committee', noting the opposition from Robert N Philips Philips, Robert Needham (1815–90) Stenton 1976
Close   View the register entry >>, and that, 'with much glory and honour' to Frank I Scudamore Scudamore, Frank Ives (1823–84) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, the Bill has passed the House of Commons House of Commons
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Entomology, Animal Behaviour, Sound

    Discusses a letter in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> describing the strange sounds made by mosquitoes.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Meteorology, Instruments, Pneumatics, Heat

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Adulteration, Nutrition

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Ornithology, Crime, Morality, Amusement

    Presents a Daily News Daily News (1846–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> report on the 'amusement of pigeon-shooting', which Punch regrets is patronised by certain 'females of the period'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Observation

Genre:

Regular Feature, Proceedings, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Husbandry, Political Economy, Commerce, Government, Politics, Scientific Practitioners, Heroism, Telegraphy

    Notes the abandonment of the 'Foreign Cattle Market Bill' and is pleased to announce that the House of Commons House of Commons
Close   View the register entry >> added a clause to the 'Railway Regulation Bill, enacting that every train should have a smoking carriage'. Later notes John A Roebuck's Roebuck, John Arthur (1802–79) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> question regarding the erection of a statue of Henry P Brougham (1st Baron Brougham and Vaux) Brougham, Henry Peter, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux (1778–1868) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> in Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey
Close   View the register entry >>, a question that prompted Benjamin Disraeli Disraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield (1804–81) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> and William E Gladstone Gladstone, William Ewart (1809–98) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> to support the need for statues of Brougham and Michael Faraday Faraday, Michael (1791–1867) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>. Punch thinks Faraday does not need this, 'England needs it'. Notes the passage of the 'Electric Telegraph Bill' through the House of Lords House of Lords
Close   View the register entry >>, a measure forcing the public to 'pay the Companies a great deal more than they ought to have', but Punch thanks Frank I Scudamore Scudamore, Frank Ives (1823–84) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> for the bill. Also notes the opening of the Thames Embankment Thames Embankment
Close   View the register entry >> by John Thwaites Thwaites, Sir John (1815–1870) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Engineering, Architecture

    Begins by praising John Thwaites Thwaites, Sir John (1815–1870) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> of the Metropolitan Board of Works Metropolitan Board of Works
Close   View the register entry >>, and numerous other individuals associated with the completion of the Thames Embankment Thames Embankment
Close   View the register entry >>, including Joseph Bazalgette Bazalgette, Sir Joseph William (1819–91) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, William Tite Tite, Sir William (1798–1873) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, Lord John J R Manners Manners, John James Robert, 7th Duke of Rutland (1818–1906) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, William Cowper Cowper, William (1731–1800) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, Acton S Ayrton Ayrton, Acton Smee (1816–86) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, Robert Grosvenor (1st Baron Ebury) Grosvenor, Lord Robert, 1st Baron Ebury (1801–93) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, John Fowler Fowler, Sir John, 1st Baronet (1817–98) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, Eyre M Shaw Shaw, Sir Eyre Massey (1828–1908) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> and Peter J L King King, Peter John Locke (1811–85) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>. Describes and praises the 'Spartan plainness' of the inauguration ceremony, and notes the fact that after the opening, Thwaites and others travelled by boat to the 'northern sewers' out-flow' at North Woolwich and the pumping station 'On Plaistow marshes'.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

L S Sambourne, Edwin Linley (1844–1910) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Railways, Transport, Charlatanry, Commerce, Accidents

    The initial letter of the article forms part of an illustration showing Mr Punch driving a small steam locomotive along a track. He wears a knight's helmet and carries a broken lance—the result of having successfully jousted with the driver of a locomotive on a parallel line. The article begins by reminding readers that the Eastern Counties Railway Company Eastern Counties Railway Company
Close   View the register entry >> was, until now, considered the 'worst managed line out of London'. Punch thinks this distinction must now pass to the South Western Railway Company London and South-Western Railway Company
Close   View the register entry >>, noting the dirty stations, inconvenient and insufficient 'ticket-taking', poor time-keeping, and 'uncourteous' staff. Believes the 'normal condition' of the railway is 'utter collapse and blank break-down', and concludes by noting that although the railway has 'avoided accidents' and fraud, its trains are gravely slow.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof; Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Comparative Philology

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Lecturing, Race, Ethnology

    Thinks that the admiral and sportsman Henry J Rous Rous, Henry John (1795–1877) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> should have delivered William R Grossmith's Grossmith, William Robert (fl. 1855) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> 'Lecture on the Dark Races'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Military Technology, Charlatanry, Government, Error

    Notes that 'MR. NARCISSUS REED' (i.e. Edward J Reed Reed, Sir Edward James (1830–1906) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>) has not resigned his position as chief constructor of the Royal Navy Royal Navy
Close   View the register entry >> or defended his mistake (over the design of turrets on ironclads) to the House of Commons House of Commons
Close   View the register entry >>. Explains that although the Admiralty Admiralty
Close   View the register entry >> know that Cowper P Coles Coles, Cowper Phipps (1819–70) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> is 'right about turrets' and Reed is wrong, they would rather not have a 'disturbance with NARCISSUS'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Prognostication, Superstition, Periodicals, Gas Chemistry, Domestic Economy

    Announcing the date of the great solar eclipse as 18 August, reports that newspapers have been reassuring people that the event will 'not affect this country' but worries that the 'propagation of a fable is justifiable under any circumstances'. Explains that although there is no 'real danger' from the eclipse, it is important to take 'proper precautions' in regard to an event over which 'it is impossible to exercise any control'. Points out that Britain has seen no total eclipse since 1715 and urges a number of bizarre responses. For example, insists that 'all metal likely to be acted on by the penumbra of the node' should be placed in a cellar, that windows should be blackened, that inhaling 'nitrate of hydrogen' will diminish the effects of 'mesozoic eocene', and that noise should be avoided in case of 'oolitic aberration'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Patronage

    Discusses a Pall Mall Gazette Pall Mall Gazette (1865–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> announcement that the Swiss government has adopted the 'Peabody Peabody, George (1795–1869) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> gun', suggesting that this decision was based on the capacity of the weapon for 'shelling out'.

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:

Railways, Transport, Commerce, Charlatanry, Morality, Crime, Govbernment

    Evidently a response to the Railway Regulation Bill, this illustration shows a masked highwayman riding a horse alongside a railway train whose locomotive is labelled 'Black Bess'. He wields a musket and solicits from a railway director (who sits around the smoke stack of the locomotive) a scroll marked 'Railways Act'. The caption indicates that the highwayman is the 'Ghost of Turpin' who tells the 'Railway Director' that he is 'doing a bit in my line' to which the director quips: 'Your line? Ha! Ha! You were hanged! We rob by Act of Parliament Houses of Parliament
Close   View the register entry >>!!!'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Heat, Nutrition, Disease, Health

    Written from the perspective of a 'corpylent' Cockney driver of an omnibus, this letter begins with the author complaining that in his work he 'suffers pretty much from a 'ot summer' and asking for 'adwice how I'm to keep myself in 'ealth'. Proceeds to relate how a 'gen'lman' warned him that it was drink rather than heat that 'urts you' and presents an extract from the British Medical Journal British Medical Journal (1857–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> (quoted by the 'gen'lman') which argues that 'light wines' rather than 'alcoholic liquors' are the most suitable beverage in hot weather. The author dismisses this, insisting that as a 'true Briton' he 'must 'ave my beer', and deems 'light wines' only suitable for 'foreigners'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Meteorology, Heat, Instruments

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Transport, Class, Travel

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Heat, Light, Language

    Droll definitions of processes associated with heat. For example, 'Absorption' is defined as 'Iced Brandy and Soda'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoology, Animal Behaviour, Nutrition

    Droll interpretation of the story of a python at the Zoological Society Gardens Zoological Society of London —Gardens
Close   View the register entry >> who swallowed its blanket.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Government, Politics

    Written from the perspective of a dog who responds to the new legislation forcing dogs to be muzzled on certain days. The author pleads for his 'family' to have representatives in Parliament Houses of Parliament
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Astrology, Meteorology, Astronomy, Prognostication, Charlatanry, Politics

    Begins by relishing news that 'Meteorologists have questioned whether the moon has anything to do with the weather' and emphasising the woefully inaccurate predicition in Zadkiel's Monthly Almanac Zadkiel's Almanac and Herald of Astrology (1836–1900+) BUCOP
Close   View the register entry >> of 'Much rain' in August. Sarcastically infers that Zadkiel's accuracy in predicting the weather suggests his 'exactness' regarding other predictions. Insists that he has 'distanced' Merlin Merlin Ambrosius (Myrddin Emrys) (fl. 6th century) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> and 'the lucidity of clairvoyance' insofar as he has accurately predicted the total eclipse of the sun (which is easily predicted) and retrospectively predicted the overthrow of King Kassai Theodore Theodore, Kassai, King Of Abyssinia (1816–68) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> of Abyssinia.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Transport, Commerce, Charlatanry, Morality

    Begins with an extract from the Daily Telegraph Daily Telegraph (1856–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> describing the falling profits of several southern railway companies, all of which increased their fares. The poem comments on this with the fable 'Whose moral proclaims that to make your gain stable, / You had best let it grow without forcing'—advice which the southern railway companies evidently did not heed. Proceeds to describe the sorry fate of a goose 'master' who was so desperate to increase the rate of production of golden eggs furnished by a goose, that he killed the latter believing it to contain more golden eggs in its bowels. Noting how the 'man-goose' found nothing inside the goose, draws further parallels between the 'man-goose' and railway directors, emphasising that if the latter 'cut up' their geese (the public) then 'they'll cease' and loose their eggs (profit).

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Exploration, Nutrition

    Interprets a report in the Pall Mall Gazette Pall Mall Gazette (1865–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> of the 'German North Pole Expedition'. Suggests that the report that the explorers 'Potted six ice-bears' indicates a new form of breakfast food.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners

Genre:

Serial—Introduction, Drollery; Letter, Spoof; Editorial, Spoof

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

E J E Ellis, Edwin John (fl. 1870) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Natural History, Animal Behaviour, Zoology, Periodicals, Entomology, Hunting, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Microscopy

People mentioned:

Francis T Buckland Buckland, Francis Trevelyan (1826–80) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Publications cited:

Land and Water Land and Water (1866–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

    The initial letter of the text forms part of an illustration showing two rabbits taking afternoon tea in a field. The text begins by announcing the establishment of a 'Special Editor' to answer questions on 'Fishing, Shooting, Hunting, Management of Farms and Dairies, &c', and to give information on natural historical subjects. Asks those sending in natural historical specimens to provide 'full particulars' and boasts that 'Lusus Naturae' and other objects will be examined. Presents a few 'specimens' of correspondence illustrating how the 'Sporting Editor' handles material artefacts sent by readers, or natural historical questions. The remarks of both editor and correspondents poke fun at the style and content of correspondence columns in natural history periodicals, the correspondents asking often absurdly mundane questions, and the editor replying with impractical advice. For example, in response to a correspondent who sent in a species with the question, 'What's this?', the editor replied, 'We don't know what the deuce it is, but directly the hamper was unpacked, it flew at us, growling and barking fearfull'; in response to correspondent who asked how to get rid of a 'plague of flies', the editor suggests forcing flies to drink fatal doses of laudanum.

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:

Astronomy, Instruments, Transport, Human Development

    With a caption quoting a recent Cornhill Magazine Cornhill Magazine (1860–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> article describing the 'state of continual agitation' on the sun's surface (cited from Proctor 1868 Proctor, Richard Anthony 1868. 'Great Solar Eclipses', Cornhill Magazine, 18, 155–69
Close   View the register entry >>), this illustration shows what might be seen when magnifying the dark spots on the sun. It shows a plan view of a street, bustling with horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Railways, Transport, Class, Commerce

    Discusses a letter in the Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> complaining about the way that first-class railway passengers have been forced to travel third class.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Transport, Charlatanry, Crime

Genre:

Serial—Editorial, Spoof; Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Natural History, Periodicals, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture

    Continuing in the style of the first instalment, this includes letters and unhelpful editorial replies on natural historical subjects, many of which are prompted by the bizarre specimens (some living) that readers submit to the periodical. Specimens and topics include 'liquid bottled manure', 'the British Mastiff', a cat, and gardening suggestions for August.

Genre:

Introduction, Drollery; Proceedings, Spoof

Subjects:

Politics, Medical Treatment, Pharmaceuticals

    Proceedings of the meeting to nominate the candidates for the 'borough of Pax-cum-Vobis', including speeches made in favour of both candidates. In his speech, Mr Anodyne the chemist pointed out that 'Speeches are a drug' and one 'he did not deal in' but that 'as a vendor of scent he would give [the proceedings] a scentiment'. (88)

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Religious Authority, Religion, Railways, Transport, Accidents

    Discusses a report describing the Lords' Day Observance Society Lord's Day Observance Society
Close   View the register entry >> which blamed two railway accidents on the Sabbath on 'Divine displeasure'. Ridicules this claim, pointing out that in France horse races are held on Sundays although 'no more necks are broken on those occasions' than on other days.

Genre:

Serial, Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Human Species, Human Development, Amusement, Naturalists

    Begins by presenting 'Judiana' with several questions that, owing to 'Mr. Punch and the British Public' being so 'overcome' by the 'heat of the weather', have not been answered. These include the question of how Charles R Darwin Darwin, Charles Robert (1809–82) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> and the George D Campbell (8th Duke of Argyll) Campbell, George Douglas, 8th Duke of Argyll (1823–1900) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, and 'other naturalists, account for the regular migration of the Swell and the Snob Tribe to certain foreign resorts at this time of year'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Societies, Scientific Practitioners, Geology, Commerce, Spectroscopy, Natural History, Zoology, Archaeology, Ethnology

People mentioned:

George Rolleston Rolleston, George (1829–81) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

    Begins by making some droll observations on the 'Report of the Earthquake Committee', including the claim that the members of this committee must 'present an Earthquake once a year'. Proceeds to give 'Hints for a few other Papers' which poke fun at the ambiguity of terms used in scientific reports. For example, suggests a paper on '"Researches on the Spectral Analysis of Stars", delivered by a Ghost at midnight at the Shades; licensed for spirits', and the '"Last Report on Drudging in the British Isles" by a Maid-of-all-Work'.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

L S Sambourne, Edwin Linley (1844–1910) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Gender, Zoology, Amusement

    Shows a woman standing near a shoreline where several other women walk. Her hat comprises a gigantic prawn, while a giant stingray forms the top part of the back of her dress. The caption explains that this is the 'newest sea-side fish-u'.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

L S Sambourne, Edwin Linley (1844–1910) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Crime, Government

    A commentary on Richard Mayne's new law forcing vagrant dogs to be muzzled, this illustration shows Mayne's next idea after his decision to renew 'his absurd anti-dog proclamation'. It shows several cats wearing muzzles and looking frustratedly at a nearby mouse.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Railways, Charlatanry, Politics, Government

    Responds to an extract from the Pall Mall Gazette Pall Mall Gazette (1865–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> which attributes the strength of railway companies to the fact that so many directors are members of Parliament Houses of Parliament
Close   View the register entry >>, while those statesmen who have no railway connections are indifferent to such matters. Urges that these facts should be considered by electors before casting their votes at the next election, and that nobody should vote for a railway director. Concludes by calling for an act for the 'Abolition of Directorships of Railways'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Nationalism, Cultural Geography, Military Technology, Medical Practitioners, Patronage

    Argues that just as the construction of ironclads by 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 prompted the British Navy to construct similar vessels, so the Emperor's promotion of a surgeon to the French senate should make the Navy agree to naval surgeon's insistence of being treated like gentlemen, and thus remedy the 'dearth of medical officers'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Anthropology, Spiritualism, Zoological Gardens

Institutions mentioned:

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

Genre:

Letter, Spoof, Serial

Subjects:

Gender, Education, Libraries, Reading, Natural History, Amusement

    Complains about the state of 'sea-side libraries', notably their stock of sensational novels. Upholds the virtues of turning from the 'unwholesome excitements of modern fiction' to the 'contemplation of a young shrimp'. Offers her daughter an 'interesting fact' about shrimps from a 'scientific manual', and emphasises the importance of learning solid facts about marine life. Criticises 'writers of scientific manuals' for being 'so sentimental' and for making 'many unaccountable omissions in describing the shore and its living wonders', notably the 'Cormorant Hotel Keeper' and the 'Preaching Crabs'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Societies, Botany, Language

Institutions mentioned:

British Association for the Advancement of Science British Association for the Advancement of Science
Close   View the register entry >>

Publications cited:

Lawson 1868 Lawson, Marmaduke Alexander 1868. 'Notes on the Flora of Skye', Report of the Thirty-Eighth Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science held at Norwich in August 1868, Notes and Abstracts of Miscellaneous Communications to the Sections, 103–104
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:

Astronomy, Imperialism, Government, Politics

    A commentary on the eclipse to be observed from India and on dramatic events in Anglo-Indian politics. It shows India as a female figure crouching in a corner. Behind her stands John L M Lawrence Lawrence, John Laird Mair, 1st Baron Lawrence (1811–79) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>, the viceroy and governor-general of India, who tells the woman that the ominous shadow that is being cast over her is that of Richard S Bourke (6th Earl of Mayo) Bourke, Richard Southwell, 6th Earl of Mayo (1822–72) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, who had recently been appointed Lawrence's successor.

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Astronomy, Observation, Instruments, Spectroscopy, Politics, Imperialism, Government, Superstition, Race, Cultural Geography

    Anticipating the imminent solar eclipse to be seen from India, the poem begins by noting the number of astronomers who are 'flocking' there to observe the event with 'Their saucy cameras cooking'. Mentions Warren De La Rue's De La Rue, Warren (1815–89) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> tracking of the changes in the solar hue with 'lynx-eyed lenses' and observes that 'Spectrum analysts' are pursuing the solar light 'through all defences'. Laments the fact that at one time the sun commanded worship when he shone and provoked fear when he 'hid his face', but now he is a 'vile drudge and hireling' for scientific pursuits. Appreciates why the sun should hide its face from those who 'doom' it to such 'disgrace', but questions why it is casting its 'blackest looks' at the 'Eastern realm' where the 'crude native' still worships and fears the sun. Describing how the 'chemicals are packed away' when the eclipse is over, proceeds, in a similar manner to Anon, 'Ambiguous', Punch, 55 (1868), 99, to India's political fortunes. Drawing a comparison between the attitude of Indians to the sun and to the appointment of Richard S Bourke (6th Earl of Mayo) Bourke, Richard Southwell, 6th Earl of Mayo (1822–72) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, wonders why 'poor India' is still frightened of a new shadow that blackens 'Great Indra's shining face'. Describes how the present viceroy and governor-general of India, John L M Lawrence Lawrence, John Laird Mair, 1st Baron Lawrence (1811–79) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> attempted to calm the fears of India, and to reassure her that the 'light in Heaven is still the same' despite the fact that there is an eclipse covering the country, produced by Lord Mayo. (104)

Genre:

Serial—Letter, Spoof; Editorial, Spoof

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

E J E Ellis, Edwin John (fl. 1870) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Natural History, Zoology, Animal Behaviour, Hunting, Politics, Government, Morality, Religion

    Contains several letters and editorial replies on the Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act of 1868 and concerning a gorilla brought back from Africa which confirms Paul B Du Chaillu's Du Chaillu, Paul Belloni (1831–1903) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> 'stories'. Proceeds to editorial remarks on other topics, including the fate of parcels of animals sent to the editor, whether it is right for a 'Parson to hunt', and grouse shooting on the moors.

Genre:

Dialogue, Drollery

Subjects:

Scientific Practitioners, Astronomy, Religious Authority

People mentioned:

Galileo Galilei Galilei, Galileo (1564–1642) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Address, Spoof, Serial

Subjects:

Military Technology, Government, Politics, Charlatanry

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Railways, Patronage

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Veterinary Science, Medical Treatment, Medical Practitioners

    'A Veterinary Surgeon'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Government, Politics, Political Economy

Institutions mentioned:

Royal Navy Royal Navy
Close   View the register entry >>

    Presents Admiral Punch's compliments to the Admiralty Admiralty
Close   View the register entry >> board and requests that it pay attention to a recent letter in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> from Sherard Osborn Osborn, Sherard (1822–75) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, who argued that cuts in naval expenditure could lower income taxes. Lists some of the ways in which Admiral Punch believes such cuts could be made, including the destruction of 'obsolete' and 'rotting' 'old wooden hulks', the construction of 'a serviceable fleet of turret-ships', and the cessation of funding for 'big, rolling, broadside ironclads'.

Genre:

Travelogue, Drollery, Serial

Subjects:

Ornithology, Scientific Practitioners

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Gender, Societies, Sanitation, Patronage, Class

    Urges gentleman readers to respond to Miss Griffiths's Griffiths, Miss (fl. 1868) PU1/55/12/3
Close   View the register entry >> call for financial help for her Ladies' Sanitary Association Ladies' National Association for the Diffusion of Sanitary Knowledge
Close   View the register entry >>, a society that, as Punch points out, is 'doing much good work', fighting dirt and disease, providing soap, brushes, and food to the needy.

Genre:

Travelogue, Drollery, Serial

Subjects:

Health, Disease, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Geography

    Begins by explaining the origins of Leamington as a spa town, noting William Lambe's Lambe, William (1765–1847) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> 'treatise on the waters' (Lambe 1802 Lambe, William [1802]. An Analysis of the Waters of Two Mineral Springs at Leamington Priors, Near Warwick: Including Experiments Tending to Elucidate the Origin of Muriatic Acid, Manchester: Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester
Close   View the register entry >>). Proceeds to consider various aspects of the famous water from the town. Under 'Mineral Waters', the author identifies the twelve different waters and warns that this 'beverage' is beneficial to those suffering from 'chronic biliousness' caused by alcoholic consumption, and is 'salutory for "hard livers"'. Under 'Bathing', it describes the effects of this 'healthful pursuit', while under 'Analysis of the Water', it reveals some deliberately vague details about the composition of the water. Later, it describes the spa town of Scarborough, including its 'perpetual spring'.

Genre:

Travelogue, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Transport, Travel

    Offers advice about travelling on the Metropolitan Railway Metropolitan Railway Company
Close   View the register entry >>, a line that is a 'good familiar creature, if it be well used'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Societies, Political Economy

    Considers that the Economic Science section of the British Association for the Advancement of Science British Association for the Advancement of Science
Close   View the register entry >> has overlooked the subject of 'skinning a flint', and suggests that the audience for this section probably contained numerous 'squires and farmers who were enraged by CANON GIRDLESTONE'S Girdlestone, Edward (1805–84) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> exposure of the condition of the agricultural labourer' but who may have needed some instruction on the subject discussed in the section—'divesting silex of integument'.

Genre:

Serial—Poetry, Drollery; Travelogue, Drollery

Subjects:

Travel, Botany, Geology

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Astrology, Prognostication

    Exposes the errors in Richard J Morrison's predictions regarding Queen Isabella II Isabella II, Queen of Spain (1830–1904) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> of Spain.

Genre:

Announcement, Spoof

Subjects:

Comparative Philology, Narcotics, Chemistry, Disease

    Claims that Hercules was poisoned not by the poisoned blood of a centaur, but by the toxic aniline compound from which the shirt was dyed red—the same compound 'which in coloured socks are blistering the feet and ankles of the British Public'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof; Advertisement, Spoof

Subjects:

Comparative Philology, Language, Mental Illness, Hospitals,

    Identifying himself as 'the Professor of Arts and Sciences in the Colwell-Hatchney Academy' (Punch's parody of Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum Colney Hatch Asylum
Close   View the register entry >>) the author (whose name parodies that of Friedrich Max Müller Max Müller, Friedrich (1823–1900) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>) presents a way of constructing limericks from advertisements.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Gender, Expertise, Politics, Government, Domestic Economy

    Discussing 'women's intellectual fitness to vote', a subject which the writer urges should not be 'dismissed with shallow levity', she points out that women do not reach positions of high authority in cookery (for example, chefs) and that this is because 'cookery is a scientific art' and 'women do not seem to be capable of the grasp of principles which applied science demands'. Adds that women make 'good cookmaids' but only men make good cooks. Urges the suffragist Lydia E Becker Becker, Lydia Ernestine (1827–90) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> to compel women to 'apply their minds' to cookery and demonstrate their 'claim to the electoral franchise' by producing an excellent dish.

Genre:

Travelogue, Drollery, Serial

Subjects:

Health, Disease, Medical Treatment

    Describes the benefits of the waters that can be taken at Clifton and Buxton.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

W Brown Brown, W (fl. 1868) 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, Measurement, Instruments, Nationalism, Progress

    Shows a Yankee, rocking back in his chair, in conversation with an artist friend. Replying to his friend's alarm at 'How quickly time does fly now', the Yankee argues that this is 'all owin' to the vast improvements effected in clocks by our great country'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Nutrition

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

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

Subjects:

Scientific Practitioners, Astronomy, Measurement, Domestic Economy

    Shows a young servant boy, Buttons, bursting into the bedroom of his master, a 'Scientific Old Gent'. Having just seen a display of shooting stars, Buttons tells his employer that 'them meteors is a goin' off ag'in!'. 'Misunderstanding the intelligence', the scientific gentlemen tells the boy to 'turn it off as the Main' (i.e. he confused meteors for gas meters).

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Politics, Government

People mentioned:

Edwin Chadwick, Chadwick, Sir Edwin (1800–90) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> John S Mill Mill, John Stuart (1806–73) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Societies, Ethnology, Anthropology, Gender, Race, Human Development, Animal Behaviour, Religion, Religious Authority

    Noting the amalgamation of the Ethnological Society Ethnological Society of London
Close   View the register entry >> and the Anthropological Society Anthropological Society of London
Close   View the register entry >>, points out that since women have been allowed to hear discussions, some members are afraid that discussion of the 'habits of certain savages' and other 'delicate revelations' 'may be slurred over' and that the 'Mosaic records' will be 'treated with too much respect'. Explains that Thomas H Huxley Huxley, Thomas Henry (1825–95) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> has entreated 'the public' that these fears are unfounded, and suggests that those entertaining themselves with the 'doings of foreign savages' should attend to the problem of 'civilising savages at home'. Also points out that worries about the Bible are without foundation because there are places in London where this book has 'ever been seen'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Industry, Manufactories, Steamships, Periodicals

    Begins by boasting of Mr Punch's patronage of Sheffield, notably his visit to John Brown's Brown, Sir John (1816–96) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Atlas Works Atlas Works, Sheffield
Close   View the register entry >> to see the construction of armour-plating for ships. Proceeds to discuss the reasons why the member of Parliament for Sheffield, John A Roebuck Roebuck, John Arthur (1802–79) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, has shown such 'ill-feeling' towards Punch.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Politics, Government

People mentioned:

Edwin Chadwick, Chadwick, Sir Edwin (1800–90) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> John S Mill Mill, John Stuart (1806–73) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Regular Feature—Introduction, Drollery; Drama, Drollery

Subjects:

Mathematics

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Adulteration, Disease, Nutrition, Domestic Economy

    Discusses an extract from an article describing how a family narrowly escaped being poisoned by 'vermin powder' which a maidservant had mistaken for baking powder. Urges caution in using baking and egg powders, drawing attention to the Lancet's Lancet (1823–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> evidence of the adulteration of these substances with toxic and 'innutritious' compounds. Recommends reading 'a fourpenny pamphlet, On the Practice of Employing Certain Substitues for the Genuine Ingredients of Some Articles of Daily Food. By a Lady', and suggests that baking powder is so adulterated that it may as well be used as vermin powder.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Astrology, Religion

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Human Development, Palaeontology, Politics

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Force, Energy, Machinery, Politics, Government, Crime, Amusement

    Begins by arguing that even Liberal statesmen would 'vote for the Conservation of Force', if not the conservation of the British constitution, and that members of both Conservative and Liberal parties will praise John Ericsson Ericsson, John (1803–89) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> for 'collecting and applying' the force that 'radiates from the sun'. Suggests that there are a 'few ladies who do not know that the sun is the one sole origin of all force' and that although some girls have laughed at Jonathan Swift's Swift, Jonathan (1667–1745) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> notion of extracting 'sunbeams from cucumbers' (in Swift 1726 [Swift, Jonathan] 1726. Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships, 2 vols, London, B. Motte
Close   View the register entry >>), they should know that they gain energy from digesting cucumbers. Mr Punch had already suggested the idea of storing the energy (for steam engines) from the sun (see , Abel Handy, 'Hard Labour in Store', Punch, 46 (1864), 151), although he envisaged that the energy could be stored by convicts, and a 'strong rogue' could store his energy by 'condensation of air confined in iron cylinders'. Concedes, however, that Ericsson's method of storing energy is preferable, but warns against the wastage of force by convicts, urging that just as the 'sun must needs shine both upon the just and the unjust', so the latter should likewise put its force to good use. Proceeds to consider the possibility of exploiting the otherwise unproductive force of dancing and rowing, both of which could be of wider social benefit.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Politics, Government

People mentioned:

Edwin Chadwick, Chadwick, Sir Edwin (1800–90) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> John S Mill Mill, John Stuart (1806–73) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

A C Chasemore, A (fl. 1871) Spielmann 1895
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Comparative Philology, Measurement, Metrology, Physical Geography

    The initial letter of the text forms part of an illustration showing a court jester looking through a telescope resting on his knees and feet. The text ponders the new connection between Wales and the Nile (a reference to the Prince Edward's 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 >> trip down the Nile), suggesting that it might be a reference to the Prince's sudden desire to 'study PIAZZI SMYTH'S Smyth, Charles Piazzi (1819–1900) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Pyramidal Theory'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof, Serial

Subjects:

Gender, Education, Nutrition, Politics, Domestic Economy, Human Development, Animal Behaviour

    Describes her attendance of the recent meeting of the Social Science Congress Social Science Congress
Close   View the register entry >> at Birmingham. Reminding her daughter of her support for the 'Rights of Both Sexes of Man', she explains how she planned to address the audience on the subject of 'Digestion and Dinners', which she considers to be just as important as the favourite topic at the meeting—education. She explains that while she hails 'with delight' the 'dawning' of the 'Golden Age', when the 'higher privileges of education will be open to all who prove themselves worthy of them', the cooking of dinners must remain with the woman. Explains that she is not insinuating that 'our daughters must become cooks and kitchen-maids', but urges all women to master 'the alpha and omega of the science of dinners'. Proceeds to insist that her husband will only support the proposed new 'College for Women' if 'some such person as DR. LANKESTER Lankester, Edwin (1814–74) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>' provides instruction on the subject of 'eating and drinking'. Explains to her daughter that women should 'exercise a sort of lofty pity' for men and 'keep up the poor gorillas' fire as the savages do, since they cannot keep it up for themselves'. Reiterates the importance of women cooks to men's careers and concludes by imagining some of the cooking prizes that would be awarded at a 'Ladies' College'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Religion, Language

    Suggests that the latest invention in guns—'PARSON'S CONVERTED CANNON'—will be very useful in the 'coming battle' over the disestablishment of the Church of Ireland Church of Ireland
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Politics, Government, Exploration

People mentioned:

Sherard Osborn Osborn, Sherard (1822–75) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Announcement, Spoof

Subjects:

Disease, Crime

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Transport, Accidents

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Societies, Mathematics, Amusement

    Suggests that one of the best ways of spending a 'long November evenings' is to 'attend a meeting of the Cambridge Philosophical Society Cambridge Philosophical Society
Close   View the register entry >>' and listen to papers on such topics as 'On some Porismatic Problems' (a reference to a paper of which a version which later published as Clifford 1864–76 Clifford, William Kingdon 1864–76. 'On Some Porismatic Problems', Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, 2, 120–23
Close   View the register entry >>).

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Commerce

Genre:

Essay, Drollery, Serial

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Anatomy, Education

    Written to suggest a reader's typical experiences of a range of human characters, the author describes the behaviour of Norringer, a tall, middle-aged man with a soft voice, who gives a detailed medical explanation of the sensitivity of his throat. Explains that if one were to compliment Norringer on his medical knowledge, one would be met with his boast that, although he is a solicitor, he studied medicine with Astley P Cooper Cooper, Sir Astley Paston, 1st Baronet (1768–1841) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, who told him that he would 'beat us all, if you only stick to it'. Proceeds to explain Norringer's appreciation of the discovery of ozone which is 'the thing for my [vocal] organ'.

Genre:

Announcement, Drollery

Subjects:

Libraries, Light, Physiology

Publications cited:

Goblet 1869 Goblet, H F 1869 [1868]. A Theory of Sight; or, How to See, and What to See, London: Chapman and Hall
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoological Gardens, Comparative Philology, Politics

    Notes that William H E Elliot (3rd Earl Minto) Elliot, William Hugh Elliot-Murray Kynynmond, 3rd Earl Minto (1814–91) Cokayne 1910–59
Close   View the register entry >> claimed that 'something or other was going to rise from its ashes "like a Sphinx"'. Points out that this is possibly a spelling mistake and warns that, until Philip L Sclater Sclater, Philip Lutley (1829–1913) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> can exhibit a phoenix at the Zoological Society Gardens Zoological Society of London —Gardens
Close   View the register entry >>, Punch 'declines to believe in any Phoenix but himself'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Language

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Politics, Government

People mentioned:

Edwin Chadwick, Chadwick, Sir Edwin (1800–90) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> John S Mill Mill, John Stuart (1806–73) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Politics, Government, Education

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Husbandry, Nutrition, Breeding

    Discusses news that cattle are now being fed on such delicacies as cocoa.

Genre:

Song, Drollery

Subjects:

Time, Progress, Transport, Railways, Accidents, Medical Practitioners, Telegraphy, Political Economy

    Compares the 'old days' of England to the present, noting that ''Tis true no railways then we had', it was a time when people travelled by coach or on horseback and when 'surgeons had some work to do / On them that were upset, or flung [from horses and carriages]', but that 'monster accidents we knew / Not'. Adds that in his youth there were no telegrams or India-rubber, which he regards as the 'chief good Free Trade has done'. (236)

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Zoological Gardens, Animal Behaviour

Institutions mentioned:

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

Genre:

Essay, Drollery, Serial

Subjects:

Disease, Health, Nutrition, Physiology, Pharmaceuticals, Psychology

    Describes the characteristics of Puttyk, a male human with a nose capable of remarkable sounds, muscular tension, membraneous irritation, and pressure on the nervous system. His nasal deformity interferes with his progress at university and cause interruptions at theatres. Explains how Puttyk converses with medical friends and reads 'medical treatises', after which he is convinced that his nasal 'nuisance' is caused by his liver. Adds that he made this discovery while working as a 'perambulating druggist's shop', a trade which reflects the number of pills secreted about his person and his perpetual hypochondria. Describes how Puttyk's 'chronic state of poisoning and antidote' affects his eating habits and causes him to seek antidotes to dishes.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Energy, Economic Geology, Political Economy, Nutrition, Futurism, Domestic Economy

    Begins by noting that William S Jevons Jevons, William Stanley (1835–82) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> and other men of science 'differ in their estimates of the time which we shall take in using up all our coal, at our present rate of consumption', and the difficulty of economising on this natural resource. Suggests that one way to conserve coal is to follow a Norwegian method of cooking meat in a saucepan lined with insulating felt—a technique that significantly reduces the time during which the meat has to be in boiling water and thus cuts down the heat consumption. Concludes by upholding other virtues of the invention.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Railways, Transport, Accidents, Class, Language, Periodicals

    Ponders an extract from a newspaper report of a recent railway accident in which the victim—the 'driver of an express train'—is described as an 'unfortunate fellow'. Insisting that 'every fellow who meets with a bad accident is an unfortunate fellow', suggests that if the victim had been travelling in the first-class carriage, then he would have been described as 'the unfortunate gentleman', and second-class, 'the unfortunate man'. Concludes by pointing out that 'on the principle of equality, we are all fellows', but that this convention is never followed 'in our British journals'.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Crime, Animal Behaviour, Government, Disease

    Written from the perspective of a policeman who expresses relief at the revocation of Richard Mayne's Mayne, Sir Richard (1796–1868) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> law on vagrant dogs. He relishes the prospect of not being the subject of 'Amusement and delight' when a dog eludes his grasp, as well as the prospect of 'No more of these ignoble scars' and hydrophobia.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Breeding, Animal Development, Acclimatization

    Reports that Australia is in 'danger of being eaten up' by rabbits imported from England, and suggests that the Australians should import foxes to control the rabbit population.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Aeronautics, Politics

People mentioned:

Charles Green, Green, Charles (1785–1870) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Henry T Coxwell Coxwell, Henry (Tracey) (1819–1900) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Commerce

    Ridicules an advertisement of a 'Telegraph Company' that promises to lay a cable 'Connecting All the Ports on the Asiatic Coast, Whose Foreign Commerce Amounts to One Thousand Millions Annually!'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Scientific Practitioners, Patronage

    Announces the award of the 'Romford [Rumford Thompson, Sir Benjamin, Count von Rumford (1753–1814) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>] Medal' to Balfour Stewart Stewart, Balfour (1828–1887) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> at a recent Royal Society Royal Society of London
Close   View the register entry >> meeting. Questions whether this was not a mistake, supposing that such a medal should have been awarded instead to Ind Coope and Co. Ind Coope and Co, Romford, firm
Close   View the register entry >> (a firm of brewers based in Romford, Essex).

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Anthropology, Gender, Education, Amusement, Societies

    Discusses an extract from a paper by Luke O Pike Pike, Luke Owen (b. 1835) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> read before the Anthropological Society Anthropological Society of London
Close   View the register entry >>. Pike claimed that 'however great the capacity of the female mind [...] it has a natural tendency to occupy itself with those pursuits that most adorn the mother'. Agrees with this claim, adding that the pursuit of fashion 'adorns' the daughter as well as the mother.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Transport, Amusement, Gender, Human Development

    Noting the enthusiasm for velocipedes in Paris, discusses the possibility of perambulator races in Britain, in which nursemaids would be the chief participants.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Physical Geography, Education

    Begins by asking Mr Punch whether it is 'absolutely indispensable to be versed in the geography of Central Asia'. Proceeds to discuss the attack in an 'evening Gazette' on the low level of knowledge of this region, an attack which makes the author lament his poor geographical education.

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Military Technology, War, Internationalism

    Reflects on the decision of the St Petersburg Conference St Petersburg Conference (1868)
Close   View the register entry >>, held to determine rules of warfare, to stop using rifle-shells. Considers the argument that the more 'murderous' weapons become, 'the sooner will war become so terrible that nations will shrink from incurring its horrors'. Asserts that the Peace Society Peace Society
Close   View the register entry >> is consequently encouraging the development of inventions of war, and suggests that this organisation will also promote a joint-stock company for making bombs capable of scattering poisonous snake venom. Notes that 'all projectiles hurt dreadfully when they smash bones or inflict lacerated wounds' and that the decision of the St Petersburg Conference to ban shells under one pound in weight would lead to 'sovereigns and peoples' thinking that projectiles 'are not so much less horrid as to be allowable'. Concludes by asking whether it is absurd to think that mankind will consider armed conflict to be 'an obsolete atrocity'.

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Architecture, Physical Geography, Cultural Geography, Nationalism, Scientific Practitioners, Medical Practitioners, Heroism, Hospitals

    Begins by comparing London unfavourably to Paris, emphasising that the French capital has cleaner and grander streets where 'steam rollers' for flattening the road 'abound'. Parisian streets have been 'christened after men of art and science and philosophy and state-craft, and poetry and medicine', including Englishmen. Speculates on the consequences of installing the French architect and town-planner Georges E Haussmann Haussmann, Georges Eugène (1809–91) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> in London, and urges that royal street-names be replaced by 'Newton Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Street', 'Herschel Herschel, Sir William (1738–1822) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Street and 'Punch Street'. Also suggests that England should return the compliment paid by the French in 'La Rue Faraday Faraday, Michael (1791–1867) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>' by introducing 'Buffon Buffon, Georges-Louis Leclerc, comte de (1707–88) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Street'. Finally, suggests that England could improve on the French example by naming streets after persons associated with the area and gives many examples including 'Abernethy Abernethy, John (1764–1831) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Street' and 'Brodie Brodie, Sir Benjamin Collins, 1st Baronet (1783–1862) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Street' near hospitals.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Crime, Mental Illness, Hospitals

    Asks the Lord Chief Justice of the Queen's Bench, Alexander J E Cockburn Cockburn, Sir Alexander James Edmund (1802–80) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, to reconsider his argument (presented in an extract of a report of a recent trial) that 'because a man was subject to delusions' and was dangerous to himself and others, it 'did not follow' that he should be 'placed under restraint' or sent to a lunatic asylum. Punch warns that 'because a man is subject to delusions' there is always the danger that he will harm himself and others, and urges Cockburn to consider the consequences of his view.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Scientific Practitioners, Methodology, Theory, Error, Astrology, Astronomy, Geology, Palaeontology, Comparative Philology, Electricity, Steam-power, Progress, Periodicals

    Written by a semi-literate woman who addresses her readers as the upholders of science, but who shares the sceptical attitude of Zadkiel's Almanack towards the sciences. She begins by condemning 'all your science' and anticipating the day when readers, who 'places sitch entire reliance' on science, will find themselves 'mistaken'. Agrees that they can 'foretell eclipses and the weather', but 'disregards' their 'vain therios [theories]', notably the heliocentric theory of the solar system. Contrasts the poor fruit grown on their 'tree of science' with Zadkiel's Alamnack, which is a 'show up of NEWTON Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>' and is written by a man who has the courage 'the truth to utter'. Suggests that the 'monsters' described by 'LYALL Lyell, Sir Charles, 1st Baronet (1797–1875) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>' and 'JOE MILLER Miller, Hugh (1802–56) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>' might be the slain dragons of folklore, and that the geocentric system may be true. Urges that it is best to 'smother' facts that contradict others or 'what they didn't ought', and that 'scientific wonders' are the invention of the Devil. Suggests that if 'feelosifers' were proved wrong and endorsed her views about 'the world's creation', then 'there would be joy in Convocation'. She relishes the day when 'Gash, electricity, and steam' will be vanquished in favour of 'ile and candles'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Nutrition, Animal Husbandry

    'A Vegetarian at a Cattle Show'.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Animal Husbandry, Breeding, Nutrition, Morality

    Shows a portly man about to consume a meal in a restaurant. He asks his friend, who stands near him, what he thought of the cattle show (the annual Smithfield Club Cattle Show Smithfield Club—Cattle Show
Close   View the register entry >>), to which his friend replies: 'Pretty fair. But the way they feed those poor beasts I call a disgrace to humanity'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Ornithology, Animal Behaviour, Crime, Government, Cruelty

    Discusses a report of a case of a 'brute' who was acquitted of unlawfully breaking the wings of a canary, and urges that maltreatment of birds should be recognised by English law as a punishable offence.

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:

Palaeontology, Ancient Authorities, Religion, Natural History, Zoology, Comparative Philology, Human Development, Reading

    Shows a snow-bound street on which a gigantic woolly mammoth (whose trunk ends with the head of sharp-fanged beast) chases a small boy. The caption explains the artist's attempt to follow Louis Figuier's Figuier, Louis (1819–94) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> view, presented in his work on the 'world before the flood' (Figuier 1865 Figuier, Louis 1865. The World Before the Deluge [...] Containing Twenty-Five Ideal Landscapes of the Ancient World, Designed by Riou, and Two Hundred and Eight Figures of Animals, Plants, and Other Fossil Remains and Restorations, trans. by W. S. O., London: Chapman and Hall
Close   View the register entry >>), that it is better to awaken the imagination of children by the 'study of the natural history of the world' rather than by 'fables and fairy tales'. Accordingly, the illustration shows the author's 'imaginative' six-year old son being introduced to some of the 'fauna of the preadamite world, as they appear restored in Mr. Figuier's book'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

G B Bowers, Georgina (b. 1836) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Animal Husbandry, Breeding

    The initial letter of the text forms part of an illustration showing an extremely obese cow at a cattle show.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Pharmaceuticals, Chemistry, Language

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Hunting, Hospitals, Morality

Institutions mentioned:

Charing Cross Hospital Charing Cross Hospital
Close   View the register entry >>

    Discussing the apparently 'foolish' decision of a gamekeeper to advertise the details of a 'big battue' in the newspapers, suggests that 'all noble swells who like to see their battues recorded in the newspapers' should follow the example of the 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 >> and donate their 'butchered' game to a hospital.