Genre:

Regular Feature—Proceedings, Spoof; Proceedings, Drollery

Subjects:

Politics, Government, Religion, Astronomy, Observation, Instruments, Animal Husbandry, Disease

    Provides a fictionalized report, in dialogue form, of the House of Lords House of Lords
Close   View the register entry >> debate on the Disestablishment of the Irish Church Church of Ireland
Close   View the register entry >> Bill. Reports Philip H Stanhope (5th Earl Stanhope) Stanhope, Philip Henry, 5th Earl Stanhope (1805–75) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> as arguing that the Armagh Observatory Armagh Observatory
Close   View the register entry >> should retain its tithes, a proposal he considers 'in accord with the spirit of the Bill, as the Observatory looks after the Lunatics'. Reports that Frederick T H-T Blackwood (5th Baron Dufferin and Clandeboye) Blackwood, Frederick Temple Hamilton-Temple, 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava (1826–1902) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> replied that the bill did not include telescopes but that the Lords would 'take care of them'. Later notes a House of Commons House of Commons
Close   View the register entry >> discussion of the 'Contagious Diseases in Animals Bill', and upholds the need for contagious animals to be kept separate from those that are not.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Health, Disease, Class, Sanitation, Human Development, Gender, Patronage

    Noting the usually pleasant nature of garden parties, describes 'parties which are still more pleasant things', namely those where poor children are allowed to play and enjoy the fresh air. Notes that during the previous eight summers 'one Society' has made this possible for 'some thousands of poor children' at less than a 'half-penny a head'. Stresses how 'great a pleasure may be given with a very little money' and praises the Ladies' Sanitary Association Ladies' National Association for the Diffusion of Sanitary Knowledge
Close   View the register entry >> for enabling this to happen. Concludes by inviting financial donations to the association.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [8]

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:

Military Technology

    Depicts the attempt of Private Rickshaw to win a medal at the annual rifle shooting contest held at Wimbledon Camp Wimbledon Camp
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:

Medical Practitioners, Gender, Politics, Government, Religion, Religious Authorities

    This illustration shows Nurse Canterbury (the Archbishop of Canterbury, Archibald C Tait Tait, Archibald Campbell (1811–82) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>) presenting a baby, labelled 'Irish Church Church of Ireland
Close   View the register entry >> Bill', to Mrs Prime Minister and her assistant (William E Gladstone Gladstone, William Ewart (1809–98) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> and John Bright Bright, John (1811–89) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> respectively). The nurse explains that she has taken 'the greatest care of 'im' and hopes they will 'think 'im grow'd'. Mrs Prime Minister denies that the child is hers or looks like her. This plays on the fact that Tait had amended Gladstone's original Irish Church Disestablishment Bill (which had been rejected by the House of Lords House of Lords
Close   View the register entry >> and Tait himself in 1868) in order to make it more acceptable to the Irish clergy and to both Liberals and Tories.

Genre:

Diary, Spoof, Serial

Subjects:

Sanitation, Engineering

    A spoof diary that is a sequel to the 'Happy Thoughts' which began with [Francis C Burnand], 'Happy Thoughts (Collected in Happy Hours: Including Some Instructive Facts in Natural History, and Other Domestic and Rural Information)', Punch, 50 (1866), 265.

Reprinted:

Burnand 1871 Burnand, Francis Cowley 1871. More Happy Thoughts, 2nd edn, London: Bradbury, Evans & Co.
Close   View the register entry >>

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, Medical Treatment, Disease

    Shows a somewhat distraught-looking woman playing a piano and singing a song that refers to the toxic substances she has applied to her body (notably 'Bismuthive Cream' on her brow and 'Belladonna' in her eye) in order to make her more attractive to a suitor.

Genre:

Song, Drollery

Subjects:

Politics, Government, Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment

    Likening Gladstone to a medical practitioner, this song describes the reactions of the Irish 'Orange Boys' savouring the prospect of reconstructing the Church of Ireland Church of Ireland
Close   View the register entry >> after it has been disestablished and thus 'released from State control'. They praise Dr Gladstone for his 'pills' which excel 'All the pills / For Ireland's ills'. Stresses that the disestablishment of the Church means that it is no longer a perpetual blister. Describes the ways in which they will now banish various religious groups from Ireland (including 'Each heretic, / And all free-thinkers', and 'Ritualists'), and concludes by praising 'gentle surgeon, DOCTOR GLADSTONE', for creating religious 'Free Trade' and thus the conditions for reconciling the Irish.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Mental Illness, Spiritualism, Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Heterodoxy, Vaccination, Utilitarianism, Class, Quackery

    Begins by identifying spiritualists as 'Persons of education, out of Colney Hatch [Asylum] Colney Hatch Asylum
Close   View the register entry >>'. Recounts that a surgeon recalled that 'in the early days of vaccination', some people swore that people who had been vaccinated had developed 'cowhorns' on their heads. Suggests that there are some 'very sensible' people who might believe this claim, and identifies two such individuals from a recent report in the British Medical Journal British Medical Journal (1857–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>. Presents an extract from the periodical which describes how two guardians of the Croydon Poor Law Union Croydon Poor Law Union
Close   View the register entry >> refused to vaccinate workhouse children because they believed this caused the 'itch' associated with small pox. Points out that the symptoms of the disease, however, occur 'in a great many Workhouses'. Ironically suggests that since the Guardians are 'wise men [...] their idea of the consequence of vaccination is to be respected'. Proceeds to a second extract describing the ineptitude of poor-law guardians in medical matters. This concerns the Holyhead Poor Law Union Holyhead Poor Law Union
Close   View the register entry >>, whose guardians objected to the proposal of the medical officer, Mr Walthew Walthew, Mr (fl. 1869) PU1/57/2/8
Close   View the register entry >>, that the dislocated shoulder-bone of a pauper should have been treated months earlier. Considers that the guardians at the Croydon and Holyhead Poor Law Unions are 'Medical Dissenters' in the manner the 'great original advertiser of Universal Medicine', James Morison Morison, James (1770–1840) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> (this is possibly an ironic reflection on the fact that the poor-law unions clearly did not provide medicine for all). Concludes that while 'Freedom of medical conscience [...] ought to be respected much more than it has been by a too scientific legislature', medical dissenters have often upheld ridiculous claims. Urges ratepayers to decide whether they wish their poor-law unions to be 'directed by Medical Dissenters'.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Proceedings, Drollery

Subjects:

Politics, Government, Animal Development, Disease

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Cruelty, Animal Behaviour, Class

    Responds to the argument that pigeon-shooting is 'not more cruel than game-shooting' and is therefore not objectionable. Agrees that pigeon-shooting is as sportsman-like as game-shooting if the latter means 'battue', and points out that so many other blood sports (including cock-fighting and bear-baiting) are far more cruel than pigeon-shooting even though they are considered acceptable sports. Concludes by suggesting that for these reasons 'the Roughs' have grounds for reviving the old English sport of pigeon-shooting and thus be on par with 'the Swells'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Commerce, Language

    Begins by agreeing with the opinion of The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> that the government purchase of telegraph lines will reduce the cost of telegrams and thus diminish the burden of letter writing. Suggests that letter-writing might be altogether superseded by telegrams, with lovers exchanging messages by the 'sixpenny wire' rather than the 'penny post'. Warns that this will also mean a 'condensation' of messages and demonstrates, using a prosaic love-letter recently read in a court at Reading, how letters could be abridged for telegraphic purposes. Discusses how other communications including 'Erotic telegrams' and the 'Germanised telegram' will be worded.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Pollution, Sanitation, Commerce, Agriculture, Chemistry, Nutrition

    Notes William Hope's Hope, William (fl. 1835) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> belief in the potential utility and commercial value of metropolitan sewage. Suggests that the Metropolitan Board of Works Metropolitan Board of Works
Close   View the register entry >> probably shares this belief given its habit of poisoning Barking residents with Thames sewage. Hopes the profit that might result from utilizing sewage will 'prove to be real' and that, 'by the chemistry of nature', that sewage might turn into 'bread, potatoes, and pasture'.

Genre:

Announcement, Spoof

Subjects:

Spiritualism, Societies

People mentioned:

Daniel D Home Home, Daniel Dunglas (1833–86) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Institutions mentioned:

London Dialectical Society London Dialectical Society
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Technology, Electricity, Instruments, Progress, Internationalism, Commerce, War, Morality, Religion

    Begins by reflecting on 'Another tie', or 'Another path of lightning', laid between the Old and New Worlds, and turns to the rapid progress of the cable ship and of the world which so 'spins down the stream of thought and act, / That what was last year's marvel is this year's familiar fact'. Stresses what a 'small thing' it now seems to communicate across the Atlantic 'By the twinkle of a lamp [a possible reference to the mirror galvanometer used in telegraphic signalling], and the quiver of a wire'. Wonders whether the telegraph will aid or hinder 'good' and international harmony, but is confident that the invention will do more than help commerce, and that it has 'conquered' time and space. Concludes by noting that the destinies of men are ruled by a 'mysterious power', and that submarine cables conceal 'The secrets of the future, and the ends of good and ill'.

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Military Technology, Education, Human Development, Crime

    Begins by presenting Admiral Punch's question to the Admiralty Admiralty
Close   View the register entry >> board concerning the use 'of keeping afloat a lot of obsolete old hulks at some half-dozen of our dockyards'. Notes that Admiral Punch thinks 'thousands of pounds yearly' would be saved by destroying them, and also suggests that a better use would be as 'Homes for Homeless Children'. Explains that Admiral Punch has reached this conclusion after inspecting the decommissioned HMS Chicester HMS Chichester
Close   View the register entry >>, a ship kept afloat 'by voluntary charity' and which shows how financing floating schools can reduce the number of children who turn to crime, and thus reduce the costs of prisons.

Genre:

Diary,

Subjects:

Amusement, Exhibitions, Transport, Photography, Nutrition, Manufactories, Museums, Horticulture, Astronomy, Light, Display

    Describes a trip to the Crystal Palace Crystal Palace
Close   View the register entry >> on St Swithun's day, where the writer's pursuits included riding a velocipede, enjoying the 'Camera Obscura' and draughts of cream soda 'manufactured by a wheel', being introduced to the 'automaton Chess Player' and its 'checkered career', visiting the 'rosary and geraniumry', studying the 'raw material in the Technological Museum', and observing a display of artificial asteroids and of magnesium lights.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Ornithology, Cruelty

Publications cited:

Morning Post Morning Post and Daily Advertising Pamphlet (1772–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Regular Feature, Proceedings, Drollery

Subjects:

Politics, Government, Museums

Institutions mentioned:

South Kensington Museum South Kensington Museum
Close   View the register entry >> British Museum British Museum
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Diary, Spoof, Serial

Subjects:

Physiognomy, Human Development

Reprinted:

Burnand 1871 Burnand, Francis Cowley 1871. More Happy Thoughts, 2nd edn, London: Bradbury, Evans & Co.
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Military Technology

    Discusses a report that the 'Military Authorities' are now having to decide whether to attach spades to the ends of rifles.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Engineering, Transport, Railways, Amusement

    Notes that the Thames Tunnel Thames Tunnel
Close   View the register entry >> has been 'dis-established' (a topical term at the time of the passage of the Irish Church Church of Ireland
Close   View the register entry >> Disestablishment Bill) and bought by a railway, but complains that this has deprived London of one of its attractions.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Proceedings, Drollery

Subjects:

Representation, Display, Spiritualism, Telegraphy

    Notes a discussion on a Rembrandt Rembrandt (properly Harmensz van Rijn) (1606–69) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> painting in the National Gallery National Gallery
Close   View the register entry >> which prompted James H Harris (3rd Earl of Malmesbury) Harris, James Howard, 3rd Earl of Malmesbury (1807–89) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> to suggest that 'the only way of assuring oneself as to the origin of an old picture was Spiritualism' (46). Also notes the 'immense majorities' in favour of the Electric Telegraphs Bill.

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Zoological Gardens, Zoology, Animal Behaviour

    Points out that 'of all the animals in the Zoological Gardens Zoological Society of London —Gardens
Close   View the register entry >>, the lion is the most saving and careful in his habits'. Thinks this explains why the lion 'looks sharply after the denkeeping expenses' incurred by the lioness.

Genre:

Announcement, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoology, Nutrition

Genre:

Song, Drollery

Subjects:

Utilitarianism, Class, Health, Disease, Quackery, Morality, Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Government

    An attack on the new guardians of the St Pancras Poor Law Union St Pancras Poor Law Union
Close   View the register entry >>, condemning them for 'Bringing Local Self-Government into contempt at a most alarming rate' and for threatening to 'bring back the bad old time'. Notes their greed, their use of 'under-paid officers', and their killing of paupers. Points out that the new guardians hold 'All medical men' to be 'humbugs' and consider 'all paupers' ailments feints', while they 'have the sick-wards cleared, double-quick' whatever the cost to patients' lives. They 'soon find a Doctor who'll make short work of paupers and their complaints'. Adds that they refuse to have inquests into paupers' deaths, oppose centralisation, and punish the master of the workhouse who 'splits' on them.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Internationalism

    Begins by noting the decline in number of admirers of originality and then discusses a Journal Officiel Gazette Nationale; ou, le Moniteur Universel (1789–1810) Moniteur Universel (1811–68) Journal Officiel de l'Empire Français (1869–70) Journal Officiel de la République Français (1870–1900+) BUCOP
Close   View the register entry >> article on the French Atlantic telegraph, an article anticipating that the telegraph will improve the friendship between France and the United States.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Transport, Invention, Animal Behaviour, Machinery

    The author, a velocipede rider, compares himself favourably with a 'man who doth bestride' a 'gallant steed', emphasizing that the velocipede rider does not need to 'stop to bait', pay road tolls, or keep a paddock. Adds that the velocipede, unlike a horse, 'never jibs, never shies', 'runs away', stumbles 'as he flies' or is seized with 'fits of kicking', and that the machine does not need a whip or rein.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Gender, Physiognomy

People mentioned:

Franz J Gall, Gall, Franz Joseph (1758–1828) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Johann C Spurzheim Spurzheim, Johann Christoph (1776–1832) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Military Technology, War, Internationalism, Surgery

Institutions mentioned:

Army Army
Close   View the register entry >>

    Begins by describing the new bayonet to be supplied to British soliders, which will allow them to devour animals and cut wood. Presents an extract from a report noting that the new design of bayonet reflects both peaceful and offensive purposes. Punch notes that 'Arms of precision are abolishing hand-to-hand combats' and have 'semi-civilised' the bayonet. Proceeds to wonder whether the 'excessive destructiveness of improved guns' will lead to the 'destruction of war itself', a trend possibly evident in the conversion of bayonets for more 'pacific' purposes. Concludes by suggesting that the new bayonet could be used as a surgical instrument.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Proceedings, Drollery

Subjects:

Government, Politics, Animal Husbandry, Cruelty, Railways, Military Technology

    Notes discussion on the cattle bill, which prevents animals from being starved for longer than thirty hours while confined to railway carts. Notes that Charles J Ellicott Ellicott, Charles John (1819–1905) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol, 'pleaded for twelve hours' for the measure, but points out that it would inconvenience the 'railway people'. Later discusses the 'Fortifications Debate'. (56)

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Military Technology, Steamships, Progress, War

Institutions mentioned:

Admiralty Admiralty
Close   View the register entry >>

    Discusses William G Armstrong's Armstrong, Sir William George, Baron Armstrong of Cragside (1810–1900) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> 'Newcastle address' in which he claimed that guns were superior in strength to armour. Notes Armstrong's suggestion that given the weakness of armour plating, it is best to design ships so that enemy shots pass right through them 'leaving a between-decks full of the death-dealing splinters behind it'. Believes this is an 'old story', insofar as ships' armour has become so thick that the vessels have become difficult to sail and manoeuvre, and concludes by praising Armstrong for reaching a 'common sense conclusion' that Punch 'came to [...] long ago'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Military Technology, Government, Politics

    Responds to news of the radical politician Peter A Taylor's Taylor, Peter Alfred (1819–91) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> attack on the government's bill for the 'completion of our inchoate dockyard defences'.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [8]

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:

Zoological Gardens, Monstrosities, Zoology, Animal Development, Music, Instruments, Railways, Transport, Commerce, Palaeontology, Domestic Economy, Comparative Philology

    Similar to George L P B Du Maurier, 'Specimens Not Yet Included in the Collection at Regent's Park', Punch, 56 (1869), 258, this illustration shows a series of strange animals that have developed anatomical features associated with human society. These include 'Mandoline Turtles' (whose necks and undersides have turned into the body of a mandolin), 'The Railway Buffalo (Bos Buffer-Cornutus)' which sports railway buffers for horns, and 'Itchysaurus Attacked by Phleasyosauri', in which a antediluvian reptile (a relative of the ichthyosaurus) is attacked by tiny fleas.

Genre:

Travelogue, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Medical Practitioners

Genre:

Editorial Reply, Drollery

Subjects:

Societies, Botany, Spectroscopy, Supernaturalism

    Explains that Punch informed a correspondent that the Ray Society Ray Society
Close   View the register entry >> is 'a Society for Spectrum Analysis' which 'means an association for the investigation of Ghost Stories'.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Proceedings, Drollery

Subjects:

Government, Politics, Religion, Education, Telegraphy, Animal Husbandry

    Notes discussion of the Education (Scotland) Bill, including Lyon Playfair's Playfair, Sir Lyon, 1st Baron Playfair of St Andrews (1818–98) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> view that 'everybody in Scotland wished for a Religious Education', a view that Punch challenges (66). Also notes 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 >> was advised to mention the 'Cattle Act' and the Electric Telegraphs Act in her speech before Parliament Houses of Parliament
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Spiritualism, Photography, Light, Magnetism, Charlatanry

    Begins by presenting an extract from a Spiritual Magazine Spiritual Magazine (1860–77) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> article that rebuts Punch's recent criticism of spirit photography. The extract ridicules Punch's dismissal of the possibility of photographing objects that are invisible to the eye, and points out that the '[photographic] plate is more sensitive than the eye', appealing to the 'evidences' of the 'magnetic or odic lights, which BARON REICHENBACH Reichenbach, Karl (or Carl) Ludwig ()1788–1869 DSB
Close   View the register entry >> photographed'. Punch denies that Reichenbach's work supports the possibility of photographing ghosts, and quotes a passage in which Reichenbach states that his researches support the existence of light emanating from magnets. Proceeds to note that the Spiritual Magazine has adopted the argument that, while photographs of séance 'sitters' are produced from 'rays of daylight', those of the ghosts depend on the 'odic light' emitted by the spectre which is 'too faint to affect the eye'. Notes that while 'spirits' insist on darkness in séances, they appear not to need darkness for being photographed. Wonders why spirits can do without darkness given that this is a reasonable condition for a ghost shining by odic light. Concludes that one solution to this apparent contradiction in the conditions for observing spirits is that 'their photography [...] is moonshine'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Instinct, Narcotics

    Describes what he considers to be 'an uncommon instance of the "Sagacity in a Dog"'. Explains that he owns a Skye terrier that responds to an unknown rap on the front door with violent barking, and replies to familiar raps with an identifiable subdued barking. The author boasts that he can identify regular callers from the nature of his dog's bark but that one day he made a mistake in interpretation: he thought his dog's bark signified the regular water-carrier when it was a man bringing alcohol from the public house (the dog apparently displayed more hostility to this caller than the water-carrier).

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Zoological Gardens, Zoology, Animal Behaviour, Heat

    Given the recent hot weather, envies the polar bear for being 'polarised at [its] own Pole'. Notes that other bears have a pole which they can climb, but that however hard they might try to ascend the pole 'They'd into bear's grease melt and run / With such an effort this hot day'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Surgery, Instruments, Invention

    Notes that Benjamin W Richardson Richardson, Benjamin Ward (1828–96) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> has 'invented a knife that cuts so fast that nobody can feel it', but points out that this is not original since 'People in society cut each other every day' and do not feel it.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Animal Development, Nutrition, Railways, Transport

    Discusses a Standard Standard (1827–60) Evening Standard (1860–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> report on some 'articles, principally metallic, lately found inside of a dead horse'. Notes that owing to the large number of nails found in the horse, some 'offenders' might suggest that the animal might 'have grown into a locomotive, or iron horse'.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Entomology, Animal Behaviour, Instinct

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Domestic Economy, Human Development, Animal Behaviour, Animal Development, Evolution, Race

    Begins by considering the advantages of replacing his 'servant girl' with 'the Missing Link / Which negro binds to monkey'. However, explains that while the anthropoid ape could fulfil this role, the orang-utan, chimpanzee, and gorilla could not. Identifies the 'Missing Link' as a species 'beneath the Sable Moor' and 'Quashee' (a personification of the 'negro' race), but above 'Jocko' (a chimpanzee). Explains the advantages of such an employee: it could ably complete such tasks as cleaning knives and waiting at the table, be able to 'execute our orders' and sustain a 'licking' like a dog, it could be dismissed without the employee being its 'debtor', it would 'Ne'er trouble you for wages', and it would never attract any 'followers' and thus cause complicated 'relations'. Concludes by noting that while 'The nigger is a sort of man', the author wants a slave who will not be made 'a man and a brother' and has sense without a soul 'behind it'.

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:

Transport, Technology, Invention, Domestic Economy, Nutrition

    Shows a man riding a velocipede whose wheels have been adapted to grind coffee and churn butter.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery, Serial

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [6]

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 Treatment

    A series of illustrations in which letters of the alphabet are represented by social and professional types. For example, the letter 'D' is represented by a cross-sectional view of street, in which a man walks past a dentist's shop where the dentist stands over an empty chair whilst wielding a huge pair of pliers. The caption reveals that 'D is my dentist. He likes me. He's wont to be always at home when I call—so I don't'.

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Railways, Transport, Accidents, Government, Morality

    Noting how 'Correspondents' are 'continually complaining' of the lateness and dangers of railways, blames accidents on the 'want of common sense' on the part of railway directors. Argues that drastically reducing the number of guards on trains is 'false economy' because it will increase the chance of accidents and thus damages to be paid out by railway firms. Proposes an 'Act of Parliament Houses of Parliament
Close   View the register entry >>' which forbids guards to work long hours and makes directors 'personally liable' for injuries sustained in railway accidents.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Exploration, Zoology, Animal Behaviour, Language

    Begins with an extract announcing the imminent publication of the 'Report of the Porcupine Expedition' (a possible reference to Carpenter 1869 Carpenter, William Benjamin 1869. 'Preliminary Report of the Scientific Exploration of the Deep-Sea in H.M. Surveying-Vessel "Porcupine"', Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, 18, 397–492
Close   View the register entry >>). Mistaking the name of the ship on this expedition, HMS Porcupine HMS Porcupine
Close   View the register entry >>, for the animal, questions the need for an expedition in search of porcupines when there are plenty in the Zoological Society Gardens Zoological Society of London —Gardens
Close   View the register entry >>. Draws attention to one of the scientists on the expedition, William B Carpenter Carpenter, William Benjamin (1813–85) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, who is searching 'warm and cold areas' of Stornoway. Punch questions whether porcupines are found in such warm and cold areas as kitchens.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Government, Politics, Commerce, Medical Treatment, Narcotics

Institutions mentioned:

Houses of Parliament Houses of Parliament
Close   View the register entry >>

    Notes that a 'Medical Correspondent' of The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> has warned of the soporific effects of 'the gold currency' on parliamentary sessions. Considers the correspondent's views on gold currency, sleep, and narcotics to be 'extraordinary', and wonders whether he would 'administer opium or hyoscyamus' in cases of coma or tendency to somnolence.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Societies, Geology, Spiritualism

    Begins with an extract from a report on the British Association for the Advancement of Science British Association for the Advancement of Science
Close   View the register entry >> meeting at Exeter announcing that John Phillips Phillips, John (1800–74) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> will 'deliver a discourse on Vesuvius'. Playing on the word 'on', considers it 'impossible' that Phillips could be in Exeter and Vesuvius, unless 'he has the power of being in two places at once. Suggests that this 'singular phenomenon' might be mentioned by the next association president, Thomas H Huxley Huxley, Thomas Henry (1825–95) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, and congratulates Huxley for being elected to this position.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Agriculture, Disease, Temperance, Medical Treatment

    Discusses a report describing the effectiveness of sulphur in curbing vine disease in the provinces of Lisbon, suggesting that 'anti-liquor Leagues' should award prizes to the 'duffer' who disgusts people with wine by identifying 'the vine disease with a human malady wherein sulphur is a specific'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Military Technology, Steamships, Gender, Nationalism

    Written from the perspective of a somewhat illiterate sailor, this discusses the decision of the lords of the Admiralty Admiralty
Close   View the register entry >> to reject the HMS Favourite HMS Favourite
Close   View the register entry >> (a screw armour-plated corvette) in favour of the HMS Inconstant HMS Inconstant
Close   View the register entry >>. Comparing the vessels to female dancing partners, the author notes that the Inconstant 'is a lively young craft' with a 'thin waist', and is not surprised that the lords of the Admiralty preferred it. Proceeds to discuss the coal-powered 'Revolvers', and believes 'smoke jacks' will revolutionise 'marrytime warfare' as much as the 'Spinning Jenny' has revolutionised cloth production. In a postscript he anticipates that Britannia will rule the waves with a 'rod of iron' rather than her 'black-lead pencil'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Railways, Accidents

Genre:

Poetry, Serial

Subjects:

Societies, Geology, Palaeontology, Astronomy, Agriculture, Political Economy, Ethnology, Human Development, Botany, Ornithology, Anatomy, Physiology

    Sonnet ten, 'Exeter, August, 1869', reflects on the meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science British Association for the Advancement of Science
Close   View the register entry >>. Explains that the 'Devonian group' (evoking the name of a geological period) has now 'broken up' and its '"Stars" have vanished from the West'. Adds that the savants no longer debate such questions as 'agricultural labourers' wants', 'carbonif'rous labyryntodonts', 'man and his primaeval ways', 'the sun, the stars, the worlds in distant skies', the 'epiglotis, and the tidal wave', and anticipates the meeting of the association in 1870, 'HUXLEY'S Huxley, Thomas Henry (1825–95) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> year'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Gender, Mental Illness, Hospitals

    Discusses an appeal by Louisa Twining Twining, Louisa (1820–1912) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> on behalf of St Luke's Home for Incurable Women St Luke's Home for Incurable Women
Close   View the register entry >>. Describes some of the ways in which women are deemed to be 'incurable', including their tendency to be 'incurable chatterboxes', their 'incurably extravagant' tastes, and their inability to be cured of 'their whims'. However, notes that the trajectory of 'crinolinomania' demonstrates that women's maladies may subside. Concludes by noting how much Twining has received in subscriptions, and explains that supporting her cause will allow incurable diseases to be 'palliated'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Politics, Observation, Entomology, Reasoning, Evolution, Darwinism, Human Development, Amusement, Controversy, Medical Practitioners, Mental Illness, Hospitals, Phrenology, Charlatanry, Superstition

People mentioned:

Astley P Cooper Cooper, Sir Astley Paston, 1st Baronet (1768–1841) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

    Begins by noting that with the cessation of the 'lively, pithy, and concise debates of the [parliamentary] Session [...] the British Public, betake ourselves for intellectual recreation to the fields of science'. Emphasises that this requires us to exercise 'our observant faculties on swarms of ladybirds' and employ 'our reasoning powers in arguments about the origin of species, particularly those relative to the dispute touching the human pedigree' and our descent from anthropoid apes. Suggests that those who pose scientific questions at this time of year will be contributing to the 'public stock of harmless amusement', and will not be bores. Accordingly, turns to the 'divers reviews' of Memoir of John Conolly, M.D. Conolly, John (1794–1866) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Clark, James 1869. A Memoir of John Conolly, M.D., D.C.L.: Comprising a Sketch of the Treatment of the Insane in Europe and America, London: J. Murray
Close   View the register entry >>, the 'rational and reforming mad doctor' who 'succeeded in abolishing the system of mechanical restraint at Hanwell County Lunatic Asylum, Hanwell
Close   View the register entry >>'. Proceeds to discuss James Deville Deville, James (1777–1846) DNBS
Close   View the register entry >>, the 'gas-fitter' and phrenologist who argued that 'order was maintained at Hanwell without force' by classifying inmates according to 'the craniological conformation of their heads'. Suggests that if this was the case then it constitutes 'a very considerable reply' to the claim that phrenology is humbug. Contests that 'phrenology is not all humbug if available for the government of lunatics' and believes it is not a superstition even if it is a 'mistake'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Gravity, Discovery, Scientific Practitioners, Steam-power, Invention

    Begins with an extract from the Athenaeum Athenaeum (1828–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> describing a 'remarkable manuscript' containing 'an interesting account', written by Isaac Newton Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> to Martin Folkes Folkes, Martin (1690–1754) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, of the 'discovery' of gravitation, an account that makes no mention of the 'fall of an apple' having been the source of the discovery. The author of the following letter identifies himself as a 'lover of old traditions and stories' and expresses his dismay at the discovery of this manuscript. He hopes that other myths about Newton will not subsequently be shattered. However, he insists that he is 'prepared now for any heavy blow', including the shattering of such myths as James Watt Watt, James (1736–1819) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> 'watching the steam issuing from the family tea-kettle' (the alleged inspiration for his steam-engine). Concludes by urging that 'We ought to be ashamed of our credulity, and get rid of these old wives' fables without delay'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Vaccination, Medical Treatment, Human Development, Medical Practitioners, Quackery, Nutrition, Statistics

    Discusses a report in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> of a recent meeting, in London's East End, of the Anti-Vaccination League Anti-Compulsory Vaccination League
Close   View the register entry >>, where the 'illustrious' Edmond Beales Beales, Edmond (1803–81) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> was one of those on the platform. Expresses surprise at Beales's presence at the meeting and discusses the speech of a Mr Stephens Stephens, Mr (fl. 1869) PU1/57/10/3
Close   View the register entry >> of the east London branch of the Anti-Compulsory Vaccination League Anti-Compulsory Vaccination League
Close   View the register entry >>, which ridiculed a man who had been jailed for neglecting to have his child vaccinated. Proceeds to deride another speaker at the meeting—Mr Rymer Rymer, Mr (fl. 1869) PU1/57/10/3
Close   View the register entry >>—for declaring the 'law enforcing vaccination' to be 'repugnant to the British Constitution', without offering a better 'preservative of the British Constitution'. Suggests that Rymer and Beales would replace Edward Jenner's Jenner, Edward (1749–1823) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> 'discovery' with the quack medicine of James Morison Morison, James (1770–1840) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> and Thomas Holloway Holloway, Thomas (1800–83) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>. Speculates on the differences between Holloway and Morison on the subject of vaccination, stressing the different types of medical dissenters, some of whom would substitute vaccination for a diet of 'Delicious Peas-pudding'. Concludes by suggesting that the 'comparative statistics, sustaining the case for vaccination' might as well be posted in such public places as public houses, given how many people are turning to 'medical dissent' on the subject of vaccination.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Hunting, Agriculture, Steam-power, Technology, Progress

    Following a suggestion in the Pall Mall Gazette Pall Mall Gazette (1865–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> that pointers should be 'shoed', anticipates that the 'progress of agriculture' will lead to even more advanced techniques including 'steam cart-horses', the 'steam-dog', and hunting conducted with 'steam guns' and 'steam pointers'.

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Animal Development, Evolution, Spiritualism, Human Species, Degeneration, Descent, Religious Authority, Pollution, Industry, Environmentalism, Chemistry, Force, Progress, Commerce, Aesthetics, Human Development, Mental Illness, Amusement, Psychology, Race, Morality

    Begins by inviting readers to 'Hear a Gorilla', which, like a 'sprite-possessed, / A Medium-ape', tells the story of his descent from 'Ancient Man'—a reversal of the assumed descent of man from apes. The gorilla begins by describing an idyllic 'Island of the Sea' where his first ancestors lived, a race that were 'the chiefest of the human kind' but whose 'last degenerate race bred ours'. Explains how a pair of these degenerate humans clung 'to a floating tree' when the isle was 'whelmed' and proceeds to describe the gradual degeneration of the race and the catastrophe that struck the island. Blames 'Material Progress' for the destruction of the beautiful buildings and landscape, and for the other ways in which this 'Island's beauty and its joy' was overwhelmed. He laments that science 'put chemic and mechanic force' into 'sordid hands', and thus made 'creatures covetous and coarse' and consume 'too fast'. The consequences of these developments also included 'close-clustered houses' encroaching on 'the commons and the downs', the pollution of pure rivers by 'slush of factories, and manure', the decline of 'Art, architecture, letters', the starvation of genius, the displacement of drama by 'Buffooneries and sensation plays', and the disappearance of 'the higher powers of thought' and 'Justice, Faith, Charity, and Hope'. He emphasizes that his fathers liked each other 'as Chinese' and lived 'by competitive / Examination' (a possible reference to the 'survival of the fittest' and to the Civil Service Civil Service
Close   View the register entry >> examinations), but gradually turned into apes 'by degrees': their crowns 'slowly sank' and their foreheads 'sloped and shrank' backwards, their jaws advanced, and they developed shag hair, 'eye-teeth turned fangs', and rear 'feet / Of climbing hands'. He concludes by noting how 'Chaos came' (the sinking of the once-idyllic island) and 'Ocean's foam / Bore the Gorillas to their home', which is presumably a reference to Africa.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Vaccination, Controversy, Politics

    Notes an 'agitation' which has 'been got up against Vaccination' and that Mr Punch 'rejoices to say that the movement [against Vaccination] has received its death blow' from Beales who, wanting to 'stamp the agitation as utterly ludicrous', has joined it.

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:

Science Communication, Music, Gender

    Depicts a scene at an evening party. In the foreground, a pianist captures the attention of a number of ladies, all of whom appear to have left a room shown in the background. The latter room is completely deserted, except for two intellectual gentlemen who sit looking dejected. The caption ('Literature, Science, and Music at an Evening Party—Total Defeat of the Two Former') indicates that the ladies prefer the company of the pianist to that of the intellectuals who spout 'Literature' and 'Science'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Meteorology, Animal Husbandry, Accidents, Death

    Responds to news that 'Sixteen sheep have been killed by lightning'. Ponders the significance of this story, given that so many sheep are killed each year and that few need to be reminded 'that lightning is but as mechanical as the action of the fusee that kindles the Havannah of the cynic'. Argues that by dying this way, these sheep have been spared the cruel fate of their fellow creatures (including the butcher's 'finishing blade'), but that far from being 'out of created space', their 'transmuted entity' will provide the materials from which 'daisies and buttercups grow'.

Genre:

Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Music, Instruments, Technology, Electricity, Accidents

    Describes events at the Worcester Music Festival Worcester Music Festival [Three Choirs Festival]
Close   View the register entry >> of 1869, notably the rehearsals and performance of Arthur S Sullivan's Sullivan, Sir Arthur Seymour (1842–1900) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> oratorio The Prodigal Son. The author draws attention to the fact that the organ was run from a cylinder powered by 'several batteries', there being a 'chain' connecting 'the notes with the pipes' and another linking the 'organist with the notes, and a third the organist with the cylinder'. Explains that to play at the correct tempo, the organist 'receives the exact number of shocks which force[s] him to play precisely in the time, and the notes which the composer wishes'. While the composer 'turns the cylinder, and winds up the organist', the author himself was allowed to operate the cylinder, although he was so 'excited' with the music that he turned the machine too fast thus causing the cylinder to crack, the organist to be thrown in the air, and the organ to play 'five Oratorios all at once'. He laments that the force of the electric currents was so great that 'no one could venture near' him, and the organ manufacturers were whirled around when they tried to fix the instrument. He concludes this part of his report by resolving to investigate the matter.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

R Pritchett Pritchett, Robert Taylor (1828–1907) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Cruelty, Animal Husbandry, Politics, Government, Crime, Morality

    The initial letter forms part of an illustration showing a herd of oxen streaming past a tree, one of the oxen attempting to fell the tree. Hanging on the tree's trunk and branches are three frightened young boys. The writer laments the brutal conditions suffered by cattle on being transported from Rotterdam, condemning the fact that cattle are 'bullied', catch diseases 'by cramming', and are 'goaded and hounded on to the shore'. Calls on the clerk of the Privy Council Privy Council Office
Close   View the register entry >>, Arthur Helps Helps, Sir Arthur (1813–75) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, to ensure that those who issue these 'brutal commands' are punished. Hopes to see the end of cattle being beaten and to see 'gentle smiles' irradiating the 'shepherd's countenance as he drives his lambkins to the new emporium'. He also wishes to see drovers using gentler language as they drive their charges through the streets.

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Health, Disease, Gender, Physiology, Anatomy, Controversy

    Discusses the topical question of whether tight-lacing is injurious to health. Insists that it is not so for women, arguing that woman is made 'more wonderfully and more fearfully' than man and that while she is 'always ailing', her ailments are caused by 'over-exertion and other varieties of self-sacrifice'. Believes that tight-lacing would be 'uncomfortable' for men, because they breathe 'partly from the pectoral muscles which expand the ribs' and would be constrained by tight-lacing. Adds that tight-laced men would suffer a variety of abdominal complaints caused by pressure on his organs. Compares this situation with that of women. Explains that women breath independently of their pectoral muscles and have a more 'plastic organisation', both of which enable them to withstand tight-lacing. Concludes by warning of the dangers (some fatal) of overly tight women's garments, but points out that 'lacing has evidently no consequences which prevent women from wearing stays as tight as they think pretty'.

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:

Military Technology, Hunting

    Shows a Scottish highlander standing on some rocks near a salmon-infested river. He holds a large tube that has fired a long fishing line, on the end of which is a struggling salmon. The caption explains that, according to the Inverness Courier Inverness Courier (1817–1900+) COPAC
Close   View the register entry >>, a new rocket gun has been invented 'with which a distinguished sportsman (the inventor) has done great execution on the salmon in the Highland rivers when they won't take a fly'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Instinct

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Cruelty, Education, Class, Animal Behaviour, Hunting

    Praises Angela G Burdett-Coutts Burdett-Coutts, Angela Georgina, 1st Baroness (1814–1906) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> for her 'proposal to make kindness to dumb creatures a branch of education'. Challenges the notion that people whose education is deficient in this regard are from 'the bottom of the social scale', emphasizing that the 'higher classes' who shoot pigeons are no better than the yokels who enjoy 'forcing a pig through a hole which is too small for him'. Suggests that Burdett-Coutt's proposal would teach the Gun Club Gun Club
Close   View the register entry >> 'how not to shoot', and teach its members only to kill birds outright, rather than allowing birds to die from their shot wounds.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Mental Illness, Hospitals

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Politics, Commerce, Charlatanry, Government, Animal Husbandry, Disease, Sanitation

    Exploiting the parallels between political corruption and the cattle plague, reports that the 'epidemic' continues, 'particularly in the Eastern and Western Counties', and explains that the disease is caused by 'Acarus scabiei', which causes 'an itching palm' that can only be relieved by 'Banker's golden ointment'—i.e. money. Hopes this 'disease of the body politic' will be stamped out by the government, which can be achieved by stopping millionaires with 'political aspirations' from touching 'the Polls' as well as disinfecting the 'Booths to which the Foulborough Cattle are driven'. Explains that the disease 'originate[s] in morbid acquisitiveness'.

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Gravity, Scientific Practitioners, Discovery, Controversy, Charlatanry

    Reports that the 'NEWTON Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>–PASCAL Pascal, Blaise (1623–62) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>' letters (documents apparently demonstrating Pascal's priority in the invention of 'Newton's' theory of gravitation) 'have turned out forgeries by a rascal'.

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Observation, Astronomy, Instruments

People mentioned:

Galileo Galilei Galilei, Galileo (1564–1642) DSB
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:

Cruelty, Animal Husbandry, Morality

    Responding to debate concerning the cruelty inflicted on cattle during their transportation to England, this illustration shows an ox standing in front of a herd of cattle. It has collapsed forwards and is about to be struck by a drover with a long stick. The ox utters the words of the title of the illustration, parodying the motto of the anti-slavery movement, 'Am I not a Man and a Brother?'. Here the ox takes the part of the oppressed black slave.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Animal Husbandry, Cruelty, Politics

People mentioned:

Angela G Burdett-Coutts, Burdett-Coutts, Angela Georgina, 1st Baroness (1814–1906) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Arthur Helps Helps, Sir Arthur (1813–75) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Diary, Spoof, Serial

Subjects:

Sanitation, Animal Husbandry, Disease

    Describes the narrator's encounter with Cazell, a critical fellow who, when visiting the narrator's house, asks him about the building's drainage system. At this moment the narrator is visited by Dr Balsam, who has come to see his wife and baby; the doctor tells him that he understood that the 'Inspector of Nuisances' had visited and urges him to clean out his pigsty. Cazell surmises that a foul odour that he has been smelling derives from the sty and urges the narrator to disinfect the place and prevent an outbreak of fever.

Reprinted:

Burnand 1871 Burnand, Francis Cowley 1871. More Happy Thoughts, 2nd edn, London: Bradbury, Evans & Co.
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Societies, Language, Mathematics, Morality, Biology

    The author's opinion of mathematics as a 'steady and decorous science' has been 'completely shaken' by the title of one of the papers given at the recent British Association for the Advancement of Science British Association for the Advancement of Science
Close   View the register entry >> meeting—'On Conic Osculation' (a version of which was published as Newman 1870 Newman, F. W. 1870. 'On Conic Osculation', Report of the Thirty-Ninth Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science held at Exeter in August 1869, Notes and Abstracts of Miscellaneous Communications to the Sections, 13–14
Close   View the register entry >>). Suggests that this implies intimate relations between geometrical figures. Also suggests that another paper presented to the association ('On Initial Life'; a version of which was published as Wake 1870 Wake, Charles Staniland 1870. 'Initial Life', Report of the Thirty-Ninth Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science; Held at Exeter in August 1889, Notes and Miscellaneous Communications to the Sections, 151
Close   View the register entry >>) refers to 'those strange advertisements which head the second column of the Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>'.

See also:

Anon, 'A Growing Evil', Punch, 54 (1868), 112

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Vaccination, Death, Crime, Expertise

    Describes how a 'simpleton' recently sought a police magistrate court's decision to compel a Highgate cemetery company to inscribe on his child's tombstone 'Died from the mortal effects of vaccination', which was also the verdict of a coroner's jury. Surmises that a coroner's jury would not be able to understand medical evidence showing that the child died from a 'poisoned wound, and not merely of plain puncture'. Urges that coroner's juries should only be allowed to deliver verdicts on 'questions within their competence', and not post hoc ergo propter hoc verdicts on a death following vaccination. Praises the cemetery company for objecting to the inscription on the tomb and thus for preventing 'prejudice against vaccination' which would crowd the cemetery.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Development, Animal Behaviour, Evolution, Darwinism, Heat, Invention, Music, Instruments, Language, Nutrition, Domestic Economy, Philosophy

    Addressed to Mr Punch, this poem is a response to Anon, 'The Genealogy of the Gorilla; or, Can a Race Degenerate (Respectfully Dedicated to the British Association)', Punch, 57 (1869), 102. The writer begins by warning Mr Punch that the 'Medium Gorilla' has 'spun you / A yarn of lies, as to his breed', and then invites him to read Charles R Darwin Darwin, Charles Robert (1809–82) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> to learn about the 'millions of years [...] It took a Baboon to develope / Monstrosity into a man'. Proceeds to his alternative history of the development of man from monkeys and gorillas. This explains the long history of how monkeys and gorillas developed the physical and cultural attributes of humans: these include their creation of sparks for fire (after a monkey 'was pounding / Some nuts with two stones in the dark), the invention of a xylophone (after a Monkey 'Laid several sticks in a row'), the transformation of simian 'jabber' to the 'language MAX MüLLER Max Müller, Friedrich (1823–1900) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> describes', food rationing and brewing, and the proliferation of 'Metaphysical apes', who inscribed 'abstract' ideas on sand or bark and gradually bit off their tails, since they got in the way when they were writing. Invites Mr Punch to 'admire how plastic is nature' because the 'tail-hating' gorillas 'Had little gorillas without', and notes that such 'tailless' and 'brainless' gorillas still 'roam on the African shore', beasts who believe they are the 'cream of the cream' of their species.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Gender, Health, Death, Periodicals

    Attacks the Morning Post Morning Post and Daily Advertising Pamphlet (1772–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> (which Punch regarded as its 'fashionable contemporary') for publishing an article reporting the death of a young woman from tight-lacing, a report which Punch thinks will terrify those 'dear girls who take in such instructive journals as the Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine (1852–90) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>'. The report states that the woman collapsed in a park, and was examined by Dr Smellie Smellie, Dr (fl. 1869) PU1/57/13/3
Close   View the register entry >> who claimed that the cause of death was 'effusion of blood on the chest [...] accelerated by compression of the chest' caused by tight-lacing. Notes that this report will deter girls from tight-lacing, but suggests that girls have a 'propensity' to follow fashions regardless of consequences and will not therefore be perturbed by the gruesome newspaper report.

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Astrology, Prognostication

    Discusses predictions made by the 'Voice of the Stars' in the August 1869 issue of Zadkiel's Monthly Almanac Zadkiel's Almanac and Herald of Astrology (1836–1900+) BUCOP
Close   View the register entry >>. Notes that his predictions for 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 Princess Alexandra Alexandra [Princess Alexandra of Denmark]Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the British dominions beyond the seas, and Empress of India, consort of Edward VII (1844–1925) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> appear to have been confirmed, but points out that he did not predict the illness of 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, a fact that Punch links to sinister cunning on Napoleon's part.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Industry, Accidents, Crime, Death

    Begins by pondering the problem of establishing the cause of powder-mill explosions, a tragedy that witnesses rarely survive. Argues that one explanation is suggested by a recent report in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>, which describes how workmen at one powder-mill were suspended for possessing pipes and lucifer matches. Punch suggests that cautioning such workmen against using pipes is useless given that they are 'idiotic as to the sense of danger', and compares them to miners who 'light their tobacco' with Davy Davy, Sir Humphry, Baronet (1778–1829) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> lamps, and who are so 'tired of their lives' as to want to commit suicide.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Scientific Practitioners, Mathematics, Physics, Mechanics, Discovery, Gravity, Charlatanry

    Notes that Jean-Baptiste-André Dumas Dumas, Jean-Baptiste-André (1800–84) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> has spoken 'so admirably upon the forgeries that imposed upon poor M. CHASLES Chasles, Michel (1793–1880) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> that no more need ever be said on the subject'. (Chasles was a mathematician who unwittingly bought forged manuscripts suggesting that Blaise Pascal Pascal, Blaise (1623–62) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> rather than Isaac Newton Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> was the true inventor of the theory of gravitation.) Punch notes that Dumas insisted that Chasles had forgotten 'what was due to HUYGHENS Huygens, Christiaan (1629–95) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, the glory of his country, and NEWTON, the glory of humanity', and that the Académie des Sciences, Paris Académie des Sciences, Paris
Close   View the register entry >> (of which Dumas was permanent secretary) thus associates itself with Holland and England in saving Huygens's and Newton's reputation.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Technology, Engineering, Language

    Claims that the 'new London improvement' that reminds one of a submarine cable is, according to a 'miserable Cockney', 'A vire ducked'. This is a reference to the recently opened Holborn Viaduct Holborn Viaduct
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Hospitals

    Responds to a report in the British Medical Journal British Medical Journal (1857–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> of a dispute between staff and governors at St Bartholomew's Hospital St Bartholomew's Hospital
Close   View the register entry >>. According to the report the staff representative, Dr Mayo Mayo, Dr (fl. 1869) PU1/57/13/8
Close   View the register entry >>, complained of the excessive duties of a house physician, including the necessity of seeing 100 patients each hour every morning. Punch compares the physician who despatches 'so many patients in so short a time' to 'the historical dog Billy, celebrated for killing a hundred rats in five minutes'. Hopes this analogy will prompt the governors of St Bartholomew's to expand their staff so that all patients are adequately attended to.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Military Technology, Steamships, War, Cultural Geography

Institutions mentioned:

Royal Navy Royal Navy
Close   View the register entry >>

    Begins by pondering the 'pleasant' prospect that an English war with Prussia and Germany is unlikely, but presents an extract from a recent 'leader' in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> on 'The Cruise of the Lords of the Admiralty Admiralty
Close   View the register entry >>' (Anon 1869 Anon. 1869. 'On the Cruise of the Lords of the Admiralty', The Times, 28 September 1869, p. 6
Close   View the register entry >>), warning that if the English fleet were to be called into action, it would soon be engulfed by such dense smoke (from its guns) that both signals and enemy ships would become invisible. Notes that the Germans invented gun-cotton and could use it to fire naval guns without shrouding their own ships in smoke, whilst accurately firing on smoke-shrouded English vessels.

Genre:

Literary Announcement

Subjects:

Periodicals

    Announces the launch of 'A new critical journal', the Academy Academy (1869–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>, and discusses the significance of its title.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Religion, Faith, Discovery, Religious Authority

    Quotes from a correspondent in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> the assertion that the Dean of Carlisle, Francis Close Close, Francis (1797–1882) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, was guilty of assuming that 'science must necessarily, and actually does, tend to the subversion of the Christian religion' and that Christianity views 'scientific discovery' with 'contemptuous antagonism'. Thinks this shows that 'Extremes meet', noting the proximity of the evangelical Close's views to those of Pope Pius IX Pius IX, Pope (1792–1878) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Language

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Anthropology, Human Development, Statistics

    Discusses a report of a paper by John Beddoe Beddoe, John (1826–1911) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> presented at the recent meeting of the Anthropological Society Anthropological Society of London
Close   View the register entry >> (a version of which was published as Beddoe 1867–69 Beddoe, John 1867–69. 'On the Stature and Bulk of Man in the British Isles', Memoirs Read Before the Anthropological Society of London, 3, 384–573
Close   View the register entry >>). Beddoe announced that he has discovered that the tallest men lived in upper Galloway, the heaviest in Berwickshire, and the smallest 'among the Spitalfields weavers'. Mocks the apparent uselessness of this information, telling Beddoe that its own 'Special Commissioner' has furnished some equally useless information, including the discovery that 'in Cornwall are the most men who squint' and that in Herefordshire are 'the most men who never blow their noses'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Pollution, Invention, Heat, Light, Energy

    Noting the 'alleged' new invention of a process for converting sewage into gas, suggests that igniting the River Thames may be possible and profitable and hopes that the sewage could be converted before it is deposited in the river, thus reducing the high cost of gas in London.

Genre:

Introduction; Extract, Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Politics, Medical Treatment, Narcotics

    Presents a series of extracts reporting on the recovery from illness of 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. They include details of the medical treatment he received, including an opiate prescribed by his physician Auguste J B Nélaton Nélaton, Auguste Jean Baptiste (1807–73) WBI
Close   View the register entry >>, and the therapeutic effect of saline and rural breezes.

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Natural History, Zoology, Museums, Ornithology, Hunting, Morality, Crime, Politics, Government

    Challenges the proposal to remove the collections of 'stuffed birds and other zoological specimens' in the British Museum British Museum
Close   View the register entry >> and store them elsewhere. Instead argues that the collections should be 'destroyed' since natural historical objects are useless and stuffed natural historical objects more so. As Britons have been 'abandoning British Birds to gradual extinction', 'British Ornithology', as well as 'Natural History and Zoology', is 'utter bosh'. Notes that a recent 'writer' in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> lamented the decline in the number of birds of prey, a conclusion which the author corroborates. Noting that birds of prey are slaughtered in the interests of aristocratic poulterers, questions the use of stuffed birds of prey. Concludes by calling on Parliament Houses of Parliament
Close   View the register entry >> to follow up its recent law protecting sea-birds from hunters, with new legislation affording 'raptorial birds some protection from the landed poulterers'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Vaccination, Controversy

People mentioned:

Edward Jenner Jenner, Edward (1749–1823) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Diary, Spoof, Serial

Subjects:

Disease, Medical Treatment

Reprinted:

Burnand 1871 Burnand, Francis Cowley 1871. More Happy Thoughts, 2nd edn, London: Bradbury, Evans & Co.
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Botany, Medical Treatment, Religion, Religious Authority

    Noting that the 'Colchium autumnale, of repute for Gout, is now in bloom', points out that it is 'flowering quite seasonably' and that like another flower associated with spring, 'the wild Hyacinth', has 'unlooked-for blowing in Paris' that has 'astonished the Ultramontanes'. This is a reference to Père Hyacinthe Hyacinthe, Père (properly Charles Loyson) (1827–1912) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>, a popular Carmelite preacher, who, on 20 September 1869, resigned his position after protesting against the doctrine of papal infallibility and encroachments by the papacy.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Supernaturalism, Miracle, Physiology, Charlatanry

    Comments on a report in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> of an eye-witness account of the liquefaction of the blood of St Januarius Januarius, Saint (or San Gennaro) (d. c. 305) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> in Naples. The witness stressed that the blood did not froth (contrary to 'French writers on the miracle') or possess the colour of blood, and that it moved altogether when it moved at all. Punch thinks the blood is 'altogether a bubble'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Health, Pollution

    Praises the discussion by the Social Science Congress Social Science Congress
Close   View the register entry >> of the subject of ventilation.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery, Serial

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:

Zoology, Anatomy, Physiology

    For the letter Z, Punch presents a 'zoophyte', whose 'heart's in his head' and whose 'head's in his "tum!"'. The illustration shows a vaguely human-looking zoophyte at the bottom of the sea, having a face in its abdomen, a heart where its nose should be, and a stomach in its head.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [6]

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, Amusement, Natural History, Entomology

    Shows a woman standing on a pier overlooking the sea. Her bonnet, dress, and two large transparent wings attached to her back give her the appearance of a large wasp. In the background another woman wears a similar costume. The caption suggests that 'wasp-waisted women' might adopt this costume 'with advantage'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Gender, Professionalization

    Praises the objectives of the Female Medical Society Female Medical Society
Close   View the register entry >> and its associated institution, the Female Medical College Female Medical College
Close   View the register entry >>. Notes that the society's patron is 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 >> and urges that it should be supported by men with or without female wives and sisters. In a recent speech to the society Dr Drysdale Drysdale, Dr (fl. 1869) PU1/57/15/2
Close   View the register entry >> argued in favour of women entering 'the professions and the trades' and thought they surpass men as barristers. Punch responds by ridiculing the idea of women as barristers and divines.

Genre:

Catechism, Spoof, Serial

Subjects:

Ancient Authorities, Gravity, Mechanics, Discovery, Exploration

    A series of dubious historical 'facts' including the claim that Plato Plato (428–348/7 BC) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> 'invented the Laws of Gravity' after which he never smiled, and that 'an American discovered COLUMBUS Columbus, Christopher (1451–1506) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> before COLUMBUS discovered America'.

Genre:

Song

Subjects:

Meteorology, Prognostication, Astrology, Charlatanry

    Praises Stephen M Saxby Saxby, Stephen Martin (1804–83) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> for correctly predicting the recent tidal wave, and thinks he has proved himself to be a 'prophet' whose name 'shall live for ever' with that of the astrologer Zadkiel (Richard J Morrison Morrison, Richard James ('Zadkiel') (1795–1874) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>).

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery, Serial

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:

Zoology, Animal Behaviour, Gender, Domestic Economy

    With a title parodying Lewes 1862 Lewes, George Henry 1862. Studies in Animal Life, London: Smith, Elder and Co.
Close   View the register entry >>, this illustration shows a Victorian parlour in which four female domestic servants stand back in terror at a tiny toad. The caption that this is 'The Common Toad (Bufo disgustans)'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Spiritualism, Libraries

Publications cited:

Spiritual Magazine Spiritual Magazine (1860–77) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Light, Instruments, Heat

People mentioned:

Humphry Davy Davy, Sir Humphry, Baronet (1778–1829) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Husbandry, Disease, Religion, Superstition

    Distinguishes 'two types' of this 'distemper', one being an 'epizoic among milchcows in England', the other being the kissing by 'Romanists' of the foot of the pope or of the toe of a statue in St Peter's, Rome St Peter's, Rome
Close   View the register entry >>. Warns that both are 'highly contagious', the religious form being spread by various English Catholics.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Hunting, Ornithology, Cruelty, Government, Politics, Class

    Discusses the proposal (spearheaded by George C G F Berkeley Berkeley, George Charles Grantley Fitzhardinge (1800–81) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>) to implement a gun tax 'to protect small birds from hobble-de-hoys'. Relishes the possibility of a tax that would 'abate the confiscation inflicted on a class under the name of Income-Tax'. Warns that such a penalty would 'prevent poor boys and not rich' from shooting birds, and that it would not prevent the Gun Club Gun Club
Close   View the register entry >> from pursuing its activities. Suggests that Berkeley's disgust of young boys who shoot birds on Boxing Day is misplaced since such boys are no worse than gentlemen who indulge in 'cover-shooting'. Concludes by insisting that small birds should be protected 'like the sea-fowl'—a reference to a recent piece of government legislation—and that cruelty should be prohibited rather than licensed.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Meteorology

Genre:

Diary, Spoof, Serial

Subjects:

Health, Disease, Human Development, Sanitation, Medical Practitioners

    Describes the anxiety of narrator's wife respecting a disease he may have caught from the pigs and chickens on his farm. She sends for a doctor who examines their baby and discovers a 'new rash' on its body. The doctor advises the family to go abroad for 'a change', a proposal with which the narrator agrees because this will allow the 'Inspector' to rebuild his pigstys in a more sanitary fashion. The narrator also describes his continued problems with 'rheumatics'.

Reprinted:

Burnand 1871 Burnand, Francis Cowley 1871. More Happy Thoughts, 2nd edn, London: Bradbury, Evans & Co.
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Meteorology, Prognostication, Charlatanry

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Societies, Animal Behaviour, Ornithology

    Describes this time of year as one when 'Great flocks of rooks [...] Swarm in the air and in the trees', 'cloud the sky with their rustling wings', and caw until nightfall. Identifies the cause as the Social Science Congress Social Science Congress
Close   View the register entry >>, whose members' 'annual jawing' matches 'with a correspondent cawing'. However, notes that 'there's music in the raucous / Cries uttered by the corvine caucus' and compares this to the boring reports of the congress in the newspapers.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Meteorology, Prognostication, Astrology, Charlatanry, Zoology, Zoological Gardens

    Praises Zadkiel (Richard J Morrison Morrison, Richard James ('Zadkiel') (1795–1874) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>) for correctly predicting (contrary to meteorologists) that no tidal wave would come, but notes that he did predict the death of 'one of the Elephants in the Zoo Zoological Society of London —Gardens
Close   View the register entry >>'. Tells Zadkiel that the Zoological Society Zoological Society of London
Close   View the register entry >> will not mind if he advertises this failed prediction.

Genre:

Catechism, Spoof

Subjects:

Religious Authority, Religion, Astronomy, Physiology, Miracle, Supernaturalism, Philosophy, Freethought

    This response to Henry E Manning's Manning, Henry Edward (1808–92) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> recent explanation of Pope Pius IX's Pius IX, Pope (1792–1878) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> syllabus of errors consists of a list of 'errors' with the names of the authorities Punch has consulted. Includes the error that 'That the sun goes round the earth. [Prof. Airy Airy, Sir George Biddell (1801–92) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>]', 'That ARCHBISHOP MANNING believes that the liquefying pomatum is the blood of S. Januarius Januarius, Saint (or San Gennaro) (d. c. 305) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>. [H Walkerius]', 'That Pantheism has received a blow in England by the Pantheon Pantheon, Oxford Street
Close   View the register entry >> [the preaching venue of Charles H Spurgeon Spurgeon, Charles Haddon (1834–92) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>] being turned into a wine-merchant's warehouse [Gilby & Co.]'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Animal Husbandry, Disease, Nutrition, Utilitarianism, Human Development, Health, Nutrition, Morality

    Signed by the saint after whom a notorious London workhouse is named (St Pancras Poor Law Union Workhouse St Pancras Poor Law Union Workhouse
Close   View the register entry >>), this letter reminds poor-law guardians of the foot and mouth epidemic which is 'now raging' among 'milch cows and feeding stock', an epidemic that has raised the price of dairy of milk, cheese and butter. He also reminds the guardians that the 'papers' may have informed them that the cruelty inflicted on cattle 'during their conveyance both by sea and land carriage' probably aggravates cattle plague and foot and mouth disease. Proceeds to tell them that the quantity of meat which they can provide for their inmates 'amounts to a very few' ounces, but asks them that 'If we were heathens' or cannibals we should be 'almost as anxious about the medical treatment of our sick poor as we are about that of our diseased cattle'. This implies that, since guardians are not heathens, they should take even better care of sick paupers than animals.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery, Serial

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:

Animal Behaviour, Domestic Economy, Language

    Shows a husband and wife in bed, both of whom have been woken by a mouse. The husband attempts to kill the mouse that appears to have run onto the bedclothes. The caption states that the mouse is also known as 'Ridiculus mus'.

Genre:

Catechism, Spoof, Serial

Subjects:

Engineering, Transport, Industrial Chemistry

    Includes the 'fact[s]' that the 'scheme of tunnelling under the Atlantic is not new' because it 'occurred to a gentleman some time ago, but he never mentioned it, and the secret died with him', and that 'Dyeing was discovered by the Syrians, and they dye'd in great numbers'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Cultural Geography, Hunting, Cruelty, Ornithology

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Religious Authority, Religion, Progress, Scientific Practitioners, Astronomy, Spectroscopy

    This is a response to news of the imminent establishment of the Œcumenical Council Œcumenical Council, Rome
Close   View the register entry >>, a Roman Catholic assembly that would proclaim papal infallibility on questions of morality and faith. Explains that Pope Pius IX Pius IX, Pope (1792–1878) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>, is having 'a little "at home"' where he and 'lots of old ladies will meet and talk scandal, / And make of their neighbours' wrong-doings a handle'. Adds that the errors 'on his Programme' are large enough to 'fill a 'bus'. Warns that 'the Progress of Knowledge, with all of its fallacies, / From poor GALILEO Galilei, Galileo (1564–1642) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> to Spectrum analysis—/ It's all at an end, the Philosopher's trade is, / The cry being "Room for the elderly ladies"'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Gender, Health, Disease, Controversy

    Identifying herself as 'a young lady', the writer tells Mr Punch that she has to tie herself as tightly as she can owing to the fashion for 'small waists'. She complains that her stays are causing her headaches and other pains, and corroborates 'what the doctors say' about the physiological consequences of tight-lacing. Grumbles that her stays prevent her from enjoying such activities as croquet and dancing, and criticises her maid for following the fashion, thereby making herself too ill to work. She concludes miserably by confessing that she would 'rather die than dress out of fashion'.

Genre:

Notes

Subjects:

Nutrition, Zoology, Cruelty, Zoology

Genre:

Literary Notice, Drollery

Subjects:

Periodicals

Publications cited:

Academy Academy (1869–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Religion, Astronomy

People mentioned:

Angelo Secchi Secchi, Angelo (Pietro Angelo) (1818–78) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Diary, Spoof, Serial

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Periodicals, Medical Treatment, Homeopathy, Progress

    Describes the narrator's visit to the doctor's surgery, an experience that involves an excessively long wait in the waiting room, during which time he manages to read several volumes of Punch. He finally manages to see the doctor whose solution his rheumatic condition is for the author to travel abroad, and to take baths and waters. The narrator notes that at this moment he thought he should 'Pick up some medical notes' for the physiological portion of his great work, Typical Developments, and accordingly, he discusses with the doctor the application of 'Homeopathic theories' in 'Allopathic practice'. The doctor agrees with the narrator's claim that the 'science of medicine' is 'in a state of change' and that the 'old practices [...] require readaptation to the increasing knowledge of the present day'.

Reprinted:

Burnand 1871 Burnand, Francis Cowley 1871. More Happy Thoughts, 2nd edn, London: Bradbury, Evans & Co.
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Notes

Subjects:

Railways, Transport, Accidents, Charlatanry

    Noting the argument that the frequency of fatal railways accidents could be reduced by adopting the 'block system', points out that railway companies still employ the 'blockhead system'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Narcotics, Medical Treatment, Health, Nutrition

    Contains some 'rare good news' for 'habitual smokers': M Armand Armand, M (fl. 1869) PU1/57/17/3
Close   View the register entry >> has informed the Académie des Sciences, Paris Académie des Sciences, Paris
Close   View the register entry >>, that 'common watercress' can be used to make a 'sure antidote to nicotine'. The writer explains that his life has been 'made miserable' by his friends and family trying to stop him from smoking, but resolves that whenever he now buys tobacco he will also purchase some watercress and thus be spared the fatal consequences of smoking.

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, Transport, Invention

    Shows 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, dressed as a circus performer who traverses a tight-rope on a velocipede. Represents his increasing difficulties with political opposition to his regime (notably his unpopular policies on Italy and Mexico, popular disillusionment with his economic policies and the corresponding rise of socialism and communism). The tight-rope is marked 'Message of July'—a reference to the controversial speech made by Napoleon announcing radical political changes, which prompted several ministerial resignations. The wheels of his velocipede are marked 'personal government' and 'representative government' and the ends of his balancing pole are labelled 'repression' and 'concession', referring to political issues that Napoleon was trying (but failing) to keep in the balance. Far below the tight-rope lie jagged rocks shrouded in mist that contains the ominous message 'revolution', which threatened Napoleon's empire.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Nutrition, Invention

    Discusses the advantages of the invention of a 'nut-making machine'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Hospitals, Medical Treatment, Medical Practitioners, Surgery, Controversy, Disease

    Suggests that St Bartholomew's Hospital, like St Bartholomew Bartholomew of Farne, Saint (d. 1193) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> himself, is being 'flayed alive' by the discontented doctors who work there. Considers this unsurprising given reports that patients are being 'knocked off' at an alarming rate of 'one-thousand a-day on Monday and Tuesday mornings' by a scanty and inexperienced staff. Argues that 'one cannot wonder' that one of medical officers at the hospital (presumably Dr Mayo Mayo, Dr (fl. 1869) PU1/57/13/8
Close   View the register entry >>) should have 'kicked under such a system', which has damaged the reputation of the hospital and lowered the morale of physicians and surgeons. Concludes by insisting that the 'flaying process' should continue until 'staff, time, and space' are no longer abused, 'proper attention' is given to 'casual and out-patients', and the hospital reforms its constitution.

See also:

Anon, 'Cases Shot Flying', Punch, 57 (1869), 131

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Politics, Mental Illness

People mentioned:

Forbes B Winslow Winslow, Forbes Benignus (1810–74) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Exploration, Physical Geography, Discovery, Prognostication, Astrology

    Praises Roderick I Murchison Murchison, Sir Roderick Impey, 1st Baronet (1792–1871) DSBODNB
Close   View the register entry >> for being 'as right as ZADKIEL Morrison, Richard James ('Zadkiel') (1795–1874) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> ever was wrong' in correctly anticipating that Livingstone would turn up 'alive and well' with a new discovery—the location of the 'source of the White Nile'.

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Darwinism, Evolution, Human Species, Human Development, Sex, Descent, Theory, Proof, Charlatanry, Religion, Religious Authority, Ancient Authority

    Draws Mr Punch's attention to a recent article in the Academy Academy (1869–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> (see Anon, 'A New Work by Mr Darwin', Academy, 1 (1869–70), 15–16) announcing that Charles R Darwin Darwin, Charles Robert (1809–82) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> will be applying the conclusion of his Origin of Species Darwin, Charles Robert 1859. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection; or, The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life, London: John Murray
Close   View the register entry >> to the human species. Presents an extract from the article describing the importance of sexual selection in human evolution, but insists that philosophers will be 'curious to see how Mr. Darwin traces his series of zoological love-tales from Man through his immediate progenitors, the anthropoid apes', to a 'Monad'—an ascent comprising 'milliards of milliards' of 'grades or links'. Wonders whether Darwin can demonstrate one of these links. Draws parallels between Darwin's 'theory of Development' and that of 'DR. NEWMAN' (a reference to John H Newman's Newman, John Henry (1801–90) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine Newman, John Henry 1845. An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine, London: James Toovey
Close   View the register entry >>) asserting that they are 'incompatible' theories, but that both 'require confirmation'. Similarly notes that both Darwin and Pope Pius IX Pius IX, Pope (1792–1878) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> are trying to 'establish Assumptions' (a reference to the basis of a scientific argument and the doctrine of the assumption of the Virgin Mary), and that both 'appear to assume facts that have no foundations'. However, suggests that Darwin, unlike representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, may be able to prove his theory, and that he will send his book to Mr Punch who, like the author, will be able to see how far human ancestry extends beyond Adam.

Genre:

Introduction; Advertisement, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Industry, Chemistry, Commerce

    Introduces two specimens of 'Dutch industry' which Mr Punch's friends have brought back from the recently opened International Exhibition, Amsterdam International Exhibition, Amsterdam
Close   View the register entry >>. The first is an advertisement for 'chimical files', which are claimed to relieve corns on the feet.

Genre:

Literary Announcement, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Instruments, Science Communication, Education, Popularization

    Considers the title of Half-Hours with the Stars Proctor, Richard Anthony 1869. Half-Hours with the Stars: A Plain and Easy Guide to the Knowledge of the Constellations, Showing, in Twelve Maps, the Position of the Principal Star-Groups Night After Night Throughout the Year, with Introduction and a Separate Explanation of Each, London: R. Hardwicke
Close   View the register entry >> to indicate that we are 'growing rather too playful with the heavenly bodies' and anticipates the publication of similar titles including 'Spare Moments with the Aurora Borealis'.

Genre:

Diary, Spoof, Serial

Subjects:

Mesmerism, Psychology, Human Development, Gas Chemistry

    Describes a party at the house of a character named Milburd, where the narrator meets his friend Cazell, who spends his time smoothing down his trousers and inspecting the results. This 'has evidently a mesmeric effect' upon the narrator and other guests, and the narrator suggests that if Cazell were to continue for 'two hours, he would probably become mesmerically mechanical in his movement, and we should all be fixed staring at him in our chairs'. The narrator makes a note that he must include mesmerism in his 'Typical Developments'. Later he ponders the question of how to 'draw out' a chemist and more specifically, the behaviour of carbolic acid gas.

Reprinted:

Burnand 1871 Burnand, Francis Cowley 1871. More Happy Thoughts, 2nd edn, London: Bradbury, Evans & Co.
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Hunting, Ornithology, Morality, Cruelty, Gender

    The signature to this letter may refer to Angela G Burdett-Coutts Burdett-Coutts, Angela Georgina, 1st Baroness (1814–1906) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, who believed that kindness to animals should be part of national education. The author questions the writer of an article who insists that 'ladies and gentlemen' still tolerate pigeon-shooting while the 'general public' is beginning to despise it. Argues that it is unlikely that 'ladies' view pigeon-shooting with anything but 'indignation, and disgust'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Engineering, Steamships, Military Technology

Genre:

Serial, Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [6]

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:

Animal Behaviour, Entomology, Zoology, Nutrition, Disease, Gender

    Defines a range of common domestic creatures in terms of their troublesome effects on human life. A man and a woman being shocked by a beetle squashed under the man's shoe illustrates 'Black Beetle (Scarabaeus Explodans)', a man reclining on a chaise longue and swatting a fly on his head illustrates 'The Fly (Musca Dementans)', a woman nagging her husband that he should not have eaten a lobster for dinner represents 'The Lobster (Crustaceum Resurgens Vindex)', a couple trying to catch a spider under a glass shows 'The Daddy Longlegs (Paterfamilias Longricus), a groom, sporting a huge insect bite on his nose while preparing for his wedding illustrates 'The Gnat (Culex Disfigurans)', and an elderly lady gingerly approaching a bed with some tongs depicts '(The —— (Unmentionable Norfolkienxe Hovardianum Insectum Trium Literarum)'.

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Measurement, Commerce, Charlatanry, Adulteration, Railways, Accidents, Crime, Politics, Government

    Begins by warning small 'chandlers and grocers' that the President of the Board of Trade, John Bright Bright, John (1811–89) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, 'hates the scales that are untrue' but delights in 'Just weights', and has the power to 'check' their 'knavish deeds' with a 'stringent Bill'. Emphasises that this act will prosecute those 'Who sell by measures fraudulent, / Or falsify your tea', and especially ' Railway folk' for conducting 'incomplete inquests' into railway accidents and allowing trains to collide. Warns that 'The great no less than small' will suffer from this and that 'neglect however gross' will be dragged 'into day'.

Genre:

Catechism, Spoof, Serial

Subjects:

Scientific Practitioners, Genius, Exploration, Cosmology

    Under the heading of 'Genius', claims that 'HUMBOLDT Humboldt, Alexander von (Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von) (1769–1859) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> insisted on remaining in the cradle until he had finished his Kosmos Humboldt, Alexander von 1845–62. Kosmos: Entwurf einer physischen Weltbeschreibung, 5 vols, Stuttgart; Tübingen: Cotta
Close   View the register entry >>, a work of much labour and extensive research'.

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
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Subjects:

Technology, Domestic Economy

    Shows a man shaving in front of a mirror. His chair has been adapted so that as he shaves, he can use his feet to operate pedals which drive a pulley connected to a rotary brush that sits on top of his head.

Genre:

Drama, Drollery

Subjects:

Engineering, Architecture, Controversy

    Following the recent opening of Joseph Cubitt's Cubitt, Joseph (1811–72) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> new Blackfriars Bridge Blackfriars Bridge
Close   View the register entry >> this drama consists of an exchange between 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 >>, several 'Citizens', Samuel Johnson, and Joseph Cubitt. Cubitt explains that in 1759, when the City of London Corporation of London
Close   View the register entry >> 'determined to build a bridge at Blackfriars, many schemes were laid before the authorities, one of them, I may observe, by the illustrious SMEATON Smeaton, John (1724–92) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>', although the 'favoured competitor was a young Scot, named Robert Mylne Mylne, Robert (1733–1811) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> who proposed a bridge of nine elliptical arches'. Johnson then explains the ellipse to some citizens, and Cubitt responds by explaining that Johnson was engaged in a controversy with Mylne, the man of letters having 'great regard' for Mylne's rival, John Gwynn Gwynn (Gwyn or Gwynne), John (bap. 1713–1786) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>. In the midst of Johnson's pedantic comments on Cubitt's vocabulary and grammar, Cubitt praises Johnson for his 'marvellous mastery' of a topic (bridge building) foreign to his 'habitual investigations'. (190) The discussion then turns to the foundations of the Pitt Bridge which originally spanned the River Thames at Blackfriars, and which, according to Cubitt, was opened in November 1769. Queen Victoria agrees that it is fitting that Johnson should witness the opening of a bridge which has replaced the decaying and ruined bridge which he criticised, although Johnson points out that he believed Mylne's bridge 'might have endured many years longer, but for the removal of Old London Bridge London Bridge
Close   View the register entry >>, and the liberation of the vast flow of waters restricted by those nineteen arches'. (193)

Genre: