Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Mental Illness, Hospitals

Genre:

Regular Feature, Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Adulteration, Health, Government

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Sanitation, Disease

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Sanitation, Disease, Chemistry

    Discusses two letters to The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> which appear to disagree sharply over the fitness for human consumption of water in a Fleet Street well. The author points out that 'chemistry' can explain why the water from the well is so cool and the fact that the well is full of bones: the water is 'a saline draught' but should not be drunk.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Nutrition, Agriculture

    Discusses an advertisement for a patent 'Horse and Camel Feed', supported by the testimonial of a Mr George Shaw, who appears to have eaten the food himself. Wonders whether Shaw is a vegetarian and hopes to see him at the next Smithfield Club Cattle Show Smithfield Club—Cattle Show
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Instruments, Politics

    'The EARL OF ROSSE's Parsons, William, 3rd Earl of Rosse (1800–67) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Telescope'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Physiology, Heroism

    Discusses, with some vexation, a report by a correspondent in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> who claimed to have seen William Harvey's Harvey, William (1578–1657) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> bones being rattled in their vault. Urges that the remains of the 'great discoverer of the circulation of the blood' be 'allowed to rest'.

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Sanitation, Public Health, Chemistry, Pollution

    Opens by noting that a 'Learnèd chemist' had written in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> that the 'Thames stink is innocuous', since it is 'mere ammonia'. Wishes the chemist would experience the smell by 'Lodging upon Thames-brink', and 'would bet a pony' against science on the subject of smell. Concludes by upholding the harmful nature of the odour and that 'Thames-mud ain't smelling-salts—pace the Times'.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Public Health, Government

    Reports on the House of Lords' House of Lords
Close   View the register entry >> discussion on 'the necessity of our having telegraphic communication with all our QUEEN's possessions', and the 'near squeak' of the public health bill, a piece of legislation hindered by 'sycophants of vestries', who canted against 'centralisation'.

Genre:

Regular Feature, Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Hospitals, Government

Institutions mentioned:

Royal Naval Hospital, Greenwich Royal Naval Hospital, Greenwich
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Pharmaceuticals, Medical Treatment, Government, Political Economy, Morality

    Argues that the consumption of patent medicines is as 'pernicious' as alcohol and should be heavily taxed by a 'Medicine Pledge'. Observes that the amount of duty paid on patent medicines during the previous year was over ten times more than that remitted as 'conscience money'. Concludes from this that the nation prefers medicines to conscience, and that the English lead such virtuous, exemplary lives that they do not consider that they have to pay for their consciences.

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Mathematics, Machinery, Invention

    Taking its title from a magistrate's speech to Charles Babbage Babbage, Charles (1792–1871) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, this article claims that the latter's calculating engine 'has at last proved a failure' because it could not register the thickness of the skull of the magistrate who refused to fulfil Babbage's wish to remove the street musicians who had been plaguing him.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Health, Pollution

    Discusses Acton S Ayrton's Ayrton, Acton Smee (1816–86) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> complaints about the deleterious effects of the House of Commons House of Commons
Close   View the register entry >> ventilation system on the health of MPs.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery; Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Spiritualism, Dynamics, Domestic Economy, Transport, Commerce

    Discusses a report by John W Edmonds Edmonds, John W (1799–1874) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> of the astonishing levitating powers of 'Spiritualism'. Asks why such powers cannot be put 'to some useful purpose', such as 'moving furniture'. Outlines how the latter proposal could be implemented. Suggests that one 'effective spirit-rapper would be able to do all the business' and points out that the 'surpassing beauty [...] of this new motive power is, that it would do away with all the preliminary trouble of packing' because it can despatch everything 'precisely as it was'. Suggests that Edmonds would make a fortune if he could 'get some brother-rapper to send him flying over here'. Concludes by proposing that people might be transported 'by this invisible telegraph' and remarks that 'the boundary-line of the Spirit-World, and its marvellous powers, have not yet been defined'. The illustration shows some chairs and a male figure being levitated.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Agriculture, Narcotics, Language, Entomology

    Responds to a handbill from a Doncaster chemist whose advertisement for 'Poisonous Wheat' appears to be directed at vermin as well as 'agriculturists and horticulturists'. Supposes that if the substance 'is impregnated with some chemical compound as bad in one sense, as the chemist's literary composition is in another, it must be certain destruction to all the pests of the farm and the garden'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery; Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Sanitation, Pollution, Chemistry, Natural Economy

    Criticises the plan of the Chief Commissioner of Works, Henry Fitzroy Fitzroy, Henry (1807–59) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, to filter the filth of the Serpentine river. Points out that transporting the filth to a place where it will be exposed to the sun will cause nasty and harmful gases to be emitted. Acknowledging the ability of chemists to manufacture pleasant odours from 'the foulest dregs', suggests that a chemist tell Fitzroy of a similar process for transforming the Serpentine filth. Proceeds to discuss Robert Stephenson's Stephenson, Robert (1803–59) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> contribution to the debate. Doubts Stephenson's judgement that the river is not in an 'offensive condition' but points out that Fitzroy's plan of pouring limewater into the river is killing its fish. In opposition to Fitzroy's proposal to filter the river by gradual washing with limewater, suggests that the river be stocked with eels that 'would assimilate its organic impurities'. Concludes by noting that if science cannot sweeten the river then ducks should be used 'to eat up all the mud'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Mental Illness, Amusement, Gender

    Discussion of a highly contagious 'malady', which some regard as an English form of 'mild insanity', but which others, including Dr Punch, consider to be a 'species of measles' of French origin. The affliction is the passion for wearing mauve ribbons, which Dr Punch analyses as if it were a species of measles. For example, he observes that 'like the other form of measles, the mauve complaint is very catching: indeed, cases might be cited, where the lady of the house having taken the infection, all the family have caught it before the week was out'. Warns that no specific cure for the disease has been discovered, but suggests several courses of action, including the use of the 'scissors', 'amputation' of married ladies' pin money, cautery, and burning. Dr Punch, however, recommends a 'gentle dose of reasoning', 'Confinement to the house', and 'Total abstinence from flower-shows'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Mental Illness, Hospitals

Genre:

Introduction, Drollery; Reminiscences, Spoof

Subjects:

Zoological Gardens

Institutions mentioned:

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

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery; Illustration, Satire

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Evolution, Human Species, Animal Behaviour, Gender, Analogy

    A response to Samuel M Peto's Peto, Sir Samuel Morton (1809–89) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> remark (quoted after the title of this article) that 'The Serpentine, and the whole of Belgravia, were formerly a lagoon of the Thames'), this article adopts the title of Robert Chambers's Chambers, Robert (1802–71) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation [Chambers, Robert] 1844. Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation, London: John Churchill
Close   View the register entry >> and argues that the 'ancient life' that once inhabited these metropolitan districts is still present though 'changed in outward form'. It plays on the fact that the naming of certain animal species (reptiles, tadpoles, ducks, serpents, and beasts) also refer to human characters associated with Belgravia. For example, 'The slimy reptile here, no doubt / Wriggled and crawled in greed or malice: / Now see the Courtier creep about— / Near as he dares yonder Palace'. Again, 'With cackling ducks the old lagoon / At times, perchance, alive was seen: / Our Ducks [fashionable ladies] come out each afternoon, / And chatter in their Crinoline'. Similarly, identifies 'the 'Gigantic cranes' in William Cubitt's Cubitt, Sir William (1785–1861) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> 'yard' as the latter-day 'Mega-Theria'. Concludes by denying that the inhabitants of Belgravia have lost connections with 'that old marsh's family'. The illustration depicts several fashionable women, two of whom have duck's heads, conversing near the Serpentine.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Gender

    Rejoices over news from the chairman of the London District Telegraph Company London District Telegraph Company
Close   View the register entry >> that its telegraph offices are staffed entirely by women. Considers the employment of women in telegraphy to be particularly apt since 'young ladies are noted for their readiness in always giving a quick and happy answer', enjoy spending all day 'in questioning and answering', and are 'much more expert and industrious than a man [...] in working the needle'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Steam-power, Invention, Sound, Music, Amusement

    Comments on news from Paris that Messrs Laubenières Laubenières (Messrs)
Close   View the register entry >> have invented a noiseless steam engine. Wishes this manufacturer would invent a noiseless street-organ.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Supernaturalism, Quackery, Language, Faith

    Ridicules an advertisement in the Baptist periodical Earthen Vessel Earthen Vessel (1845–78?) BUCOP
Close   View the register entry >> from G Seaborn Seaborn, G (Baptist minister and medical botanist, of Magdalene Street, Colchester) (fl. 1859) PU1/37/11/1
Close   View the register entry >>, a 'Baptist Minister and Medical Botanist', who claims that he can cure diseases by praying to God and then sending medical recipes to sufferers. Thinks readers will deem the claim about prayer to be 'a high joke', and attacks the infelicities in the medical botanist's grammar.

Genre:

Notes

Subjects:

Human Development, Time, Light, Instruments

    Remarks that 'In youth, we look upon life through the small end of the telescope; in old age, through the broad', insofar as objects that once appeared so large are now very small.

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Heat, Meteorology, Astronomy

    Attributed to authors who bear the same surnames as George B Airy Airy, Sir George Biddell (1801–92) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> and John F W Herschel Herschel, Sir John Frederick William (1792–1871) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, the article reports that the extremely hot weather caused the sun to break out in spots (one of which was sixty-thousand miles in diameter), but that after absorbing comets and a 'hurricane-mixture' its condition improved.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Homeopathy, Hospitals, Health

    'A Patient was discharged, last week, cured!'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Steam-power, Military Technology, Crime

    Discusses the invention of a 'Flogging Machine' for use in the army, a steam-powered cat-o'-nine-tails that can, according to the reduction of steam pressure, 'tear and scratch the back to a depth varying from half an inch to less than a line'. Adds that the 'machine will render the military and civil authorities independent of a soft-hearted executioner, and will save them from one whose heart is too much in his work'. Observes that the machine will also enable the 'civil prescribers of flagellation' to 'inflict the exact amount of torture' instead of 'uncertain agony', and utters a 'scream' that can drown out the 'shrieks of the sufferer'.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Education, Steam-power, Mathematics, Steamships, Accidents, Universities

    Describes the strenuous education of Edward, Prince of Wales 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 >>. Notes how at the University of Edinburgh University of Edinburgh
Close   View the register entry >> 'thy poor noddle perplext / The gauntlet must run of each science and study; / Till the mixed streams of knowledge [...] Through the field of thy boy-brains run shallow and muddy'. Goes on to note how, after Edinburgh, where 'Presbyterian pure science is quaffed', he attended the University of Oxford University of Oxford
Close   View the register entry >>, and then the University of Cambridge University of Cambridge
Close   View the register entry >>, 'Where dynamics and statics, and pure mathematics / Will be piled on his brain's awful cargo of "cram"'. Notes that the Prince might later be educated at Berlin, Jena, Bonn, and Göttingen (reflecting Prince Albert's Albert [Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha], prince consort, consort of Queen Victoria (1819–61) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> determination to secure a scientific education for his son). Concludes by warning the prince of the dangers of 'high-pressure fashion', a danger illustrated most spectacularly in the Great Eastern's SS Great Eastern
Close   View the register entry >> 'disaster' (a reference to the explosion of one of its funnels on 9 September 1859).

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Narcotics, Chemistry

    Responding to a 'Morning Paper' account of Justus von Liebig's Liebig, Justus von (1803–73) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> claim to have discovered 'a mode of imparting to ordinary tobacco the perfume and flavour of the finest Havannah', insists that this discovery was made 'not by LIEBIG, but by BIG-LIE'.

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Societies, Organic Chemistry, Gender, Reading

    Claims that after reading a paper 'On the Organic Elements' (possibly a reference to

    Macvicar 1860 Macvicar, John G 1860. 'On the Organic Molecules and their Relation to Each Other, and to the Medium of Light, Illustrated by Models According to the Author's Theory of Forms and Structures of the Molecules of Bodies', Report of the Twenty-Eighth Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science; Held at Aberdeen in September 1859, 72–74
Close   View the register entry >>), presented at the recent meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science British Association for the Advancement of Science
Close   View the register entry >>, a 'young lady' decided to call the mole on her face a 'molecule'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Disease, Vaccination, Discovery

    Reporting on the discovery, by a Turin surgeon, of a 'remedy for tetanus', hopes its appellation 'curare' is reserved 'lest it should prove [...] "occidere", or "necare"'.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Steamships, Engineering, Imperialism, Accidents, Progress, Prognostication

    A comparison between the two 'Great Easterns'—the 'Great Eastern Empire', the 'Leviathan of Conquests', and the Great Eastern SS Great Eastern
Close   View the register entry >>, the 'Leviathan of Ships'. Notes that despite early failures 'Both o'er failure grew to wonders', until the protagonists of both enterprises 'Stretched their hands in self-complacence'. Compares the boasts of James A B Ramsay (1st Marquess of Dalhousie) Ramsay, James Andrew Broun, 1st Marquess of Dalhousie (1812–60) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, who retired as Governor General of India shortly before the Indian Mutiny, to the optimistic 'Reports of Blithe Directors' of the Great Ship Company Great Ship Company
Close   View the register entry >>, and the power of the British empire over 'two hundred million souls' to the dwarfing of 'minnow-shoals' and warships by the Great Eastern. Points out that just as the eastern empire demonstrates the need to 'learn the art to rule', so the ship shows the importance of taming 'Nature's forces'. In the second half of the poem, however, the tone is pessimistic, a mood reflecting the explosion of one of the Great Eastern's funnels on 9 September 1859. Queries, 'How should we have heard the prophet' who foretold losses to the empire (caused by a 'greased cartridge') and disasters to the ship (from a 'closed stop-cock'), and observes that the prophet rightly predicted such 'Great effects' could have been caused by such 'little causes'. Warns that both disasters speak of a 'Too great striving after glory' and 'gain', and teach the need for 'Working hand and heart and head / Till our Empire justice-strengthened, / And our Steamer wisdom-ruled'. Concludes that such action will make us 'Wiser for our follies' and 'Our Great ship defy the sea'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Astrology, Charlatanry, Periodicals, Prognostication, Superstition

    A scathing attack on the remarks of Richard J Morrison Morrison, Richard James ('Zadkiel') (1795–1874) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> ('Zadkiel') contained in the latest edition of his Almanac Zadkiel's Almanac and Herald of Astrology (1836–1900+) BUCOP
Close   View the register entry >>— its thirtieth yearly issue. Ridicules his inference that the Royal Welsh Fusiliers' discovery of a copy of Morrison 1833 Morrison, Richard James 1833. The Grammar of Astrology: Containing All Things Necessary for Calculating a Nativity by Common Arithmetic by Zadkiel, London: Sherwood, Gilbert and Piper
Close   View the register entry >> in a recently liberated bungalow in Lucknow, showed that the owner of the book believed the stars 'promised them eventual delivery' by the soldiers. Draws attention to Zadkiel's boast that the 'philosophers of our day, clothed as they are in [...] the phylacteries of their mathematical garments', and who 'treat with contempt the older science that exists', have not risen to his challenge to 'overthrow the doctrines of astrology', a challenge that Punch considers 'asinine'. Goes on to speculate on the possible ill health of the Athenaeum Athenaeum (1828–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>, whose editor conducted a long campaign against astrology, but who apparently fell, like Zadkiel, 'into the sere and yellow leaf of old age'. Having cited several examples of Zadkiel's latest prophecies (most of which make dubious claims about leading statesmen), wonders who are the 'increasing thousands' whom Zadkiel believes have purchased his almanac. Turning to Zadkiel's request that 'NATIVITIES AND HORARY QUESTIONS' should be directed to his alias, Samuel Smith, Punch concludes that Zadkiel's need to veil himself with a more 'imposing' and 'mysterious' name proves his charlatanry. Attacks Zadkiel for exploiting gullible farmers who seek predictions concerning 'corn and cattle', and concludes by ridiculing Zadkiel's notion that, owing to a 'lunar influence', there are 'lucky days' on which to marry, ask favours, and perform other activities.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Railways, Accidents

    Reports on an 'alarming accident' on the London and South Western Railway London and South-Western Railway Company
Close   View the register entry >> in which several people were killed, and the warnings made by Capt. Ross Ross, Capt. (of the Royal Engineers) (fl. 1859) PU1/37/14/5
Close   View the register entry >> of the Royal Engineers, that such an accident 'may be obviated' if 'the management' made 'adequate provision of guard and break power'. Thinks that if the 'board of directors' were to spend more money on improving the railway they might avoid the 'holocaust of human victims'.

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Exploration, Heroism

    Written following the discovery, by Francis L McClintock McClintock, Sir Francis Leopold (1819–1907) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> and his co-explorers, of the materials documenting John Franklin's Franklin, Sir John (1786–1847) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> successful but fatal attempt to discover a north-west passage, this poem describes the heroic but harrowing last stages of the expedition. Notes how 'A band of gallant hearts [...] Braced for their closing parts— / Their long march to the grave', and that the path of the journey was 'dotted' with the bodies of the 'weaker', although still being trodden by the remainder who reel 'like drunkards'. Stresses, however, that although the survivors reached the banks of 'The river of their hope', Franklin did not die in the 'cutting frost-wind' but in the warmth of his ship 'With comfort at his side, / And hope upon his lip', and thus away from the sailors who were spared 'their loved captain's pain'. Concludes by observing that while death separated Franklin and his crew, 'They are together now'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Sanitation, Public Health, Disease

    Warns 'the public, and especially visitors' to Brighton of the medical evidence showing the 'Abominable' 'sanatory arrangements' of the place. Points out that many houses have poor drainage and that attempts to purify the town have been resisted by 'obstinate and prejudiced persons'. Concludes by urging that Mr Punch should be given all the 'particulars' of these 'recalcitrant jackasses' who he promises to throw into the sea.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Exploration, Periodicals, Spiritualism, Reading

    Reports that David Livingstone Livingstone, David (1813–73) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> had not received his copies of Punch, and wishes that the journal 'had the power of clairvoyance, and could publish prophetic numbers' suitable for long voyages.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Miracle, Supernaturalism, Electricity, Telegraphy, Steam-power, Religious Authority, Superstition

    Discusses a report on the alleged 'miracle of St. Januarius': the rapid liquefaction, in Naples, of the blood of the saint. Surprised that 'more effective measures' are not taken to accomplish this more quickly and suggests that science 'would secure to a dead certainty the coveted result'. Explains how the 'miracle' could be 'done more rapidly by steam', 'new bellows', or a hot poker. Goes on to discuss the claim that when liquefaction takes place, the saint's blood appears on the stone (in Puzzoli) on which he was beheaded. Suggests that these simultaneous events might be accomplished by connecting Naples and Puzzoli by electricity. Considers that 'Science might materially assist' the faithful in raising the reputation of their saint. Concludes by noting that 'A belief in so-called "miracles" like those of JANUARIUS is clearly incompatible with scientific knowledge' and that where the steam engine and electric telegraph are 'utterly undreamt of, their agencies might readily affect a so-thought "miracle", and deceive the eyesights blinded by the darkened superstitions [...] of the Romish Church'.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Engineering, Time, Instruments, Accidents, Controversy

    Describes the attempt to raise the bell in the Palace of Westminster Palace of Westminster
Close   View the register entry >>, 'Big Ben', which is a hugely expensive instrument and which later cracked. Notes how, 'by wond'rous engineering, / And checks, and counter-checks, and side-way steering, / Up in the tower he swung'. Relates the dispute between Charles Barry Barry, Sir Charles (1795–1860) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> and Edmund Denison Beckett (formerly Beckett Denison), Sir Edmund, 1st Baron Grimthorpe (1816–1905) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> over the failure to endow the clock with hands. Goes on to describe how, despite 'Tolling the hours, for miles and miles around', the bell cracked for a reason that 'we know not'. (154) The illustration shows the cracked bell with arms, legs, a face, and straw around the hinge above its 'head'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Education, Morality, Lecturing, Hospitals

    Discusses an introductory lecture given by Mitchell Henry Henry, Mitchell (1826–1910) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> at the Middlesex Hospital Middlesex Hospital
Close   View the register entry >>, a version of which was published as Henry 1859 Henry, Mitchell 1859. The Address Delivered at the Opening of the Classes of the Middlesex Hospital Medical College, Session 1859–60, London: Mitchell & Son
Close   View the register entry >>. Thinks that Mitchell was 'so earnest and impressive' in upholding the 'beauties and advantages of "earnestness of purpose"' that he appeared to be 'practising, like an honourable physician, everything that he preached'. Hopes that medical students follow this advice and remember that 'practice makes perfect'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Education, Lecturing, Commerce

Institutions mentioned:

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

    Responding to Henry C Johnson's Johnson, Henry C (fl. 1859) PU1/37/16/3
Close   View the register entry >> claim that 'the practice of taking notes' originated with Hippocrates Hippocrates of Cos (460–370 BC) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, asks which doctor originated the 'practice of taking guineas'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Sociology, Narcotics, Crime

Institutions mentioned:

Social Science Congress Social Science Congress
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Quackery, Homeopathy, Hospitals, Lecturing, Education, Surgery

    Discusses an advertisement for four lectureships at the London Homeopathic Hospital Medical School London Homeopathic Hospital Medical School
Close   View the register entry >>. Contends that the hospital's subscribers will employ medical attendants who can lecture 'on the various homeopathic humbugs' to a 'crazed and credulous audience'. Ridicules the description of each lectureship. For example, considers the idea of 'Surgery as Modified by Homeopathy' to be 'very interesting [...] particularly if the lecturer could make out the amputation of a limb to be practicable with an infinitesimal knife'. Developing this attack on 'minute medical philosophy', suggests that homeopathic lecturers should speak for seconds rather than the proposed 'hours' and that they be paid only farthings.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Human Development, Sociology, Agriculture, Horticulture

    Criticises William P Wood's Wood, William Page, Baron Hatherley (1801–81) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> attack, at the Social Science Association National Association for the Promotion of Social Science
Close   View the register entry >>, on the case of a testator who resolved to give part of his estate to 'the fifteen prettiest young women in the parish'. Upholding the benefits of encouraging 'the growth of pretty girls', points out that agricultural, 'poultrycultural', and horticultural societies are 'going just the same way', in that they offer prizes and medals encouraging 'the thing to be rewarded, whether it be flavour or monstrosity in fruit and vegetables, ugliness in rabbits, songs and colour in canary birds, or pinguitude in beasts of the field'.

Genre:

Announcement

Subjects:

Engineers, Heroism, Nationalism, Steamships, Railways, Government

    Surrounded by a black border, this article marks the deaths of Isambard K Brunel Brunel, Isambard Kingdom (1806–59) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> and Robert Stephenson Stephenson, Robert (1803–59) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, who died almost within a month of each other. Upholds them as 'A Nation's pioneers' who deserve heroic status for 'the bridged chasm' and 'the piercèd rock'—references to Brunel's steamships, which crossed oceanic gulfs, and to Stephenson's railway tunnels. Notes that 'in an epitaph their names shall live' but complains that 'THEY DIED UNTITLED' owing to the meanness of 'Courts'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Engineering, Accidents, Instruments, Time

Institutions mentioned:

Palace of Westminster Palace of Westminster
Close   View the register entry >>

    Subtitled 'of the correspondence that has taken place, and that is to take place, with reference to the cracking of Big Ben Big Ben
Close   View the register entry >>', contains spoof letters from Edmund Denison Beckett (formerly Beckett Denison), Sir Edmund, 1st Baron Grimthorpe (1816–1905) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, Charles Barry Barry, Sir Charles (1795–1860) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, bellfounder George Mears Mears, George (fl. 1858) http://www.whitechapelbellfoundry.co.uk/bigben.htm
Close   View the register entry >>, and others, who blame each other for the accident.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Quackery, Medical Treatment

    After describing cases of people who apparently lived after they had been beheaded, introduces a similar example on 'such authority as is conceded to a quack'. The example derives from an advertisement in the Morning Chronicle Morning Chronicle (1769–1862) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> for Thomas Holloway's Holloway, Thomas (1800–83) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> pills (here thinly disguised as 'GULLAWAY'S PILLS'). The advertisement claims that the pills have cured a man suffering from 'giddiness in the head, off and on, for the last twenty years'. Thinks that it is more surprising that somebody 'should have existed with his head "off and on"' for such a long period, than that he should be cured by quack remedies. Compares this to Holloway's claim that he has cured a bad leg of 'more than thirty-five years' standing'; a 'preposterous' claim given that even healthy legs cannot stand up for 'longer than a day'. The writer concludes by placing as much faith in the tales of Gulliver (which included that of people with detachable heads) as the 'assertions of the story-telling quack, whom, as we don't wish to be personal, we choose to nickname MR. GULLAWAY'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Nutrition, Narcotics, Disease

    Responding to frequent warnings to those who consume large mushrooms, requests an explanation of the danger such consumers faced by pointing out that while newspapers have represented the horse mushroom as poisonous, many people eat it 'with perfect impunity'. Recommends that warnings to mushroom eaters be 'addressed to all eaters of mushrooms', and be designed to prevent consumption of stale mushrooms, which can be noxious when putrid.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Futurism, Astronomy, Instruments, Railways, Travel

    Following an Edinburgh Review Edinburgh Review (1802–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> article on the graffiti of Pompeii, imagines a similar discussion of the 'Graffiti of London' published in the year 3859 by 'SIR CANNIBAL TATOO'. While investigating inscriptions on walls in London, Tatoo discovers 'a place where peripatetic astronomers exhibited their telescope for hire; as on a wall, which would have been an excellent resting-place for the instrument, is "Take a Sight"'. Adds that 'Even in those days, before Moon-railroads were known, the view of the celestial bodies interested our foolish forefathers'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Societies, Nutrition

    Reports that a member of the British Association for the Advancement of Science British Association for the Advancement of Science
Close   View the register entry >> has sent a copy of a book entitled 'What to Eat, Drink, and Avoid' (possibly an earlier edition of La'mert 1865 La'mert, Samuel 1865. The Science of Life; or, How to Live, and What to Eat, Drink, and Avoid: With Practical Observations on the Treatment of Nervous and Other Disorders Incidental to Sedentary or Dissipated Habits, London: Mann, Nephews, & Co.
Close   View the register entry >>) to Prince Albert Albert [Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha], prince consort, consort of Queen Victoria (1819–61) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, expressing the hope that British Association members will be able to undertake all three activities on the association's next visit to Balmoral Castle Balmoral Castle, Scotland
Close   View the register entry >>, instead of being restricted to the last, as they were on their previous visit. Suggests that the association's answer to the question 'What to Avoid?' should be Balmoral itself.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Pollution, Industrial Chemistry, Public Health

    Discusses the case of Mr Croll Croll, Mr (fl. 1859) PU1/37/18/3
Close   View the register entry >>, the proprietor of Croll's Metropolitan Alum Works Croll's Metropolitan Alum Works
Close   View the register entry >> on Bow Common, who has avoided proposals to deodorize his noxious gas-producing factory on the grounds that it is only 'one great nuisance among a variety of greater nuisances'. Advises Croll that to satisfy plaintiffs he should use the 'very liquor out of which he gets alum attended with foul exhalations' to produce 'exquisite scents' that 'shall over-power all offensive emanations'. Inhabitants of surrounding areas, it adds, 'will be only ready to die' in such perfumes.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Homeopathy, Charlatanry, Medical Treatment

    Having 'gone through a small course of Homeopathy', the author concludes that 'What you tell us that is true is not new, and what you tell us that is new isn't true'. Supports the latter judgement by referring to homeopaths' dubious claim that they cure 'an average of a hundred and five per cent of cases'. Also supports the former judgement by the fact that the principle of 'similia similibus curantur' was known before Christian F S Hahnemann Hahnemann, Christian Friedrich Samuel (1755–1843) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> and cites several examples, ranging from phrases such as 'setting a thief to catch a thief', and lines from a nursery rhyme. To challenge the homeopathic 'atomic theory of infinitesimal doses', cites some lines of poetry (from Pope 1711 [Pope, Alexander] 1711. An Essay on Criticism, London: W. Lewis
Close   View the register entry >>) which warn that 'shallow draughts' of the 'Pierian spring [...] intoxicate the brain', and that 'drinking deeply sobers us again!"'. Concludes by emphasising that 'meanness is the test of a little mind'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Societies, Patronage

    'Dine at Balmoral with the British Association British Association for the Advancement of Science
Close   View the register entry >> next year'. This is a reference to the apparently unsatisfactory meal provided at Balmoral Castle Balmoral Castle, Scotland
Close   View the register entry >> when distinguished members of the association were invited there during the Aberdeen meeting.

Genre:

Review, Drollery

Subjects:

Hospitals, Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment

    Mr Punch reports having 'received a paper purporting to be a copy of the Rules and Regulations Established for the Guidance of the House-Surgeon of the Samaritan Free Hospital for Women and Children Samaritan Free Hospital for Women and Children
Close   View the register entry >>, 18 Edwards Street, Portman Square'. Criticises the authors of 'this contemptible code' for stipulating unreasonable conditions of employment for surgeons, notably, the insistence that surgeons at the hospital be qualified and unpaid, and be obliged to remain in such pecuniary circumstances for a year. Speculates on the meaning of the condition that surgeons 'shall hold office only during the pleasure of the Managing Committee', suggesting that 'pleasure' involves worshipping and cringing before the 'tyrants' who run the committee. Turning to the regulations concerning the domestic arrangements of the house surgeon, thinks the prescribed accommodation and eating hours are 'paltry' and suitable for a 'surgery-boy' rather than a 'qualified practitioner'. Punch takes particular exception to the rule that surgeons 'shall observe all orders of the Managing or House Committee', a rule suggesting that the only 'young surgeon' who would subject himself to the committee's 'disgusting domination' would have to be facing 'imminent starvation, or in the need of opportunity of seeing practice'. Warns the hospital that its charity might be compromised by 'vulgar beadles'.

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Universities, Scientific Practitioners, Heroism

    Narrates the events surrounding the proposal to place a bust of Alfred Tennyson Tennyson, Alfred, 1st Baron Tennyson (1809–92) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> in the library of Trinity College, Cambridge Trinity College, Cambridge
Close   View the register entry >>. Notes that the master of the college, William Whewell Whewell, William (1794–1866) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, and college 'Seniors' had 'barred accèss' to the bust, which would enjoy 'high companionship,— / Chief, NEWTON Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, and the broad-browed VERULAM Bacon, Francis, 1st Viscount St Alban (1561–1626) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, / And others only less than these in arts / Or science'. Whewell and 'the Dons', however, deeming such an honour to be 'only due to those / Upon whose greatness Death has set his seal', shut the doors to the bust 'Upon the living Poet'. Despite Whewell's 'stern and chill' looks, Tennyson attempts to justify his place next to Dryden and Byron, alluding to the fact that his 'fame is wide'. Whewell and the dons, however, stick by their plea that it is 'too soon' and remain unmoved.

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Charlatanry, Surgery

    Depicts a consulting room in which a medical student stands in front of his patient who clutches his face in agony. The caption reveals that the student had, after 'dragging his patient round the Surgery', extracted a tooth. The student tries to reassure his patient that 'that's not so bad for a first attempt'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Mathematics, Medical Treatment, Electricity, Physiology

    Gives 'A THOUGHTFUL GLAZIER' some absurdly complex mathematical formula for establishing the cost of putty, and responds to an 'Ode Written on a Dissecting Room Table', and 'Lines on Galvanising a Deceased Donkey' penned by 'HORRESCUS'. Provides a 'specimen' of the latter, which describes how the donkey came back to life after treatment by galvanism.

Genre:

Song, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Pharmaceuticals

    Describes the remedies and courses of action recommended by a surgeon for treating various ailments. For example, the surgeon urges the man whose 'liver is much out of order' to 'take, rhubarb and aqua menth.', and for 'Symptoms about your head' which appear to indicate 'congestion', he advises leaving off 'wine, beer, and grog, / Arrowroot all your prog, / Let organs rest to recover their function'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Engineering, Commerce

    Following news that 20,000 tons of iron need to be replaced every year on railways, 'owing to wear and tear' and that 'twenty six million wooden sleepers require to be replaced from the same cause', discusses the 'wear and tear upon the patience of the passengers', of a meeting of shareholders, and of the 'mind and soul and pocket' of railway investors.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Pharmaceuticals, Medical Treatment, Narcotics

    Considers the movement of 'many men' between wine-merchants' and chemists' shops, the bottles procured in the latter acting as the antidote to that obtained in the former. Wonders which of the bottles 'did them the most injury'.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Pollution, Public Health, Sanitation

    Wonders why 'bad drainage should frighten / The people from Brighton' and explains that despite his 'dodgings' he found 'no end of a drain'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Quackery, Homeopathy

    Pondering the high price of a 'Milk of cucumber' treatment for sunburns, suggests that this substance is a 'solution to the problem of extracting sunbeams from cucumbers' (a reference to a chimerical scheme in Jonathan Swift's Swift, Jonathan (1667–1745) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> Gulliver's Travels [Swift, Jonathan] 1726. Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships, 2 vols, London, B. Motte
Close   View the register entry >>) and acts, 'on the Homeopathic principle that like cures like, as a remedy for sun-burns'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Music, Invention, Steam-power, Exhibitions

    Discusses the appearance, in the Crystal Palace Crystal Palace
Close   View the register entry >>, of 'a new American invention called the "Calliope", or "Steam Orchestra"', which is 'one of the most original ever heard in this world, since the discovery of the bagpipes and the hurdygurdy'. Punch supposes that the invention is a barrel organ with the added disadvantage that 'it won't tire and has no body to be kicked'. The report of the invention warns that since steam is expelled after each note, within minutes it produces the 'picturesque' effect of engulfing the Crystal Palace in clouds of vapour. Thinks the invention would be suitable for composers to 'puff' their music and suggests christening it the 'Steam Music Hatcher' (a reference to Mr Cantelo's Cantelo, Mr (fl. 1848) PU1/14/1/2
Close   View the register entry >> steam egg hatcher, much discussed in Punch).

Genre:

Review

Publications reviewed:

Anon 1859 Anon. 1859. Twelfth Annual Report of the Samaritan Free Hospital, London
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Hospitals, Medical Practitioners, Charlatanry, Gender

    Having received a copy of the annual report of the Samaritan Free Hospital Samaritan Free Hospital for Women and Children
Close   View the register entry >>, Mr Punch tempers the critical tone of Anon, 'A Surgical Slave to a Free Hospital', Punch, 37 (1859), 193, noting that the hospital is 'excellent', although it has 'some ridiculous rules for the guidance of its House-Surgeon'. Observes that its 'Committee of Management' consists of honourable and educated gentlemen, who could not have composed the rules criticized by Punch, since they recognise that the 'one great use of a hospital' is 'the promotion of Medical Science for the public good, and to that end that the office of House-Surgeon ought to be a remunerative one, and the prize of knowledge and ability'. Noting that the matron is 'not an old woman', surmises that this will prove pleasanter for the house-surgeon.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Industry, Manufactories, Political Economy, Commerce, Nationalism, Military Technology

Institutions mentioned:

Royal Navy Royal Navy
Close   View the register entry >>

    Describes Mr Punch's great appreciation of the remarks of the French economist Michel Chevalier Chevalier, Michel (1806–79) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>, who argued that owing to England's immense quantity of exported and imported goods, it was crucial that English statesmen ensure that their country's 'navy is never held in check', but that the 'programme of England' is to have maritime powers which surpass all others, which means that the 'English fleet ought to exceed the united fleets of France and Russia'. Mr Punch thanks Chevalier for the hint, especially because there is the possibility that the French and Russian fleets may be united in the future.

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Telegraphy, Accidents

    Reports on the 'tight-rope feat' of the acrobat Charles Blondin Blondin, Charles (Jean François Gravelet) (1824–97) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>, who traversed Niagara Falls by tightrope. Describes how the feat resulted in a 'sporting Judge' fainting. He was attended by a 'medical man from the South' carrying a Bowie knife (with which he opened a vein) instead of a revolver. Adds that Blondin plans to train by taking frequent walks on telegraph lines, and that there is a 'report here that the transatlantic telegraph cable has been sold to a marine store dealer, to be taken on the grounds with all faults'.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Astrology, Charlatanry, Prognostication, Cultural Geography

    Reminding readers of how Mr Punch, 'the Protector of the Public', had recently attacked the astrologer Richard J Morrison Morrison, Richard James ('Zadkiel') (1795–1874) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>, for his 'fraudulent attempt to impose upon the public', reports on the abuse then received by Mr Punch. Expresses concern about the response that will follow Mr Punch's attack on another 'Starteller' who 'assumes the alias of 'Raphael' to assist him in his fraudulent designs upon the public (a reference to Robert C Smith Smith, Robert Cross ('Raphael') (1795–1832) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>). Considers Raphael's Prophetic Messenger Prophetic Messenger (1821–39) Raphael's Prophetic Almanac (1840–1900+) BUCOP
Close   View the register entry >> to be a work full of 'blasphemies, absurdities, and lies', whose wide circulation shows English to be a 'race of fools'. Ridicules Raphael's 'Table of Celestial Influence' that gives astrologically-based advice on what to do during a particular day. After extracting from the 'prophetic portion of the work', Mr Punch expects some readers to exclaim, 'What's the good of making so much fuss about such gibberish?', to which he replies that he is aiming his critique at those who are not so clever 'as yourself' and intends to expose 'this humbug RAPHAEL' to the 'Nobodies' of the world. The illustration shows Mr Punch stabbing a bearded character (clad in an astrologer's garb) with a sword.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Language

Publications cited:

Smiles 1857 Smiles, Samuel 1857. The Life of George Stephenson, Railway Engineer, London: J. Murray
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Extract, Essay, Spoof

Subjects:

War, Sanitation, Health

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Language

Genre:

Announcement, Spoof

Subjects:

Mathematics, Music, Invention, Cultural Geography

    Explains that this invention is a 'musical instrument' which helps 'a dirty and verminous foreigner' undertake 'abstruse mathematical calculations' and is therefore recommended to Charles Babbage Babbage, Charles (1792–1871) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Human Species, Expertise

    Discusses the proposal by the horse-tamer John S Rarey Rarey, John Solomon (1828–66) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> to adopt his system of taming horses 'without using brute force' on grooms.

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Mesmerism, Religious Authority

    In apparent support of 'the alleged facts of Mesmerism', claims that the Catholic archbishop Paul Cullen's Cullen, Paul (1803–78) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> sympathy for Pope Pius IX Pius IX, Pope (1792–1878) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> is so strong that when the latter is being venerated, he has a 'pleasurable tingling sensation' in his great toe.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Engineering, Transport, Nationalism

Institutions mentioned:

Suez Canal Suez Canal
Close   View the register entry >>

    Notes the 'Considerable astonishment' caused by the announcement that several European countries have called on the 'Sublime Porte' (i.e. the government of the Ottoman Empire) to authorise the project of the canal promoter Ferdinand, vicomte de Lesseps Lesseps, Ferdinand, vicomte de (1805–94) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> 'for cutting through the Isthmus of Suez'. Explains that this 'would shorten the way to India' but complains that it is designed to 'destroy the greatness of England'.

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Disease, Medical Treatment, Health

    Describes the author's increasing irritation with the cough of a woman in his house. Explains how he wishes he could procure various remedies (including 'Pulmonic Wafers' and 'Cough No More') and that he would 'richly fee' a doctor or a quack to free him from the nuisance.

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Disease, Transport, Public Health

    Discusses the recent claim that the rise in cases of smallpox is due to cabs, which are used by smallpox patients and so transmit their disease to the next user. Acknowledging the need to preserve the rights of cabmen, suggests 'some measure' for preventing 'this damage to the public'—organising specially marked cabs for 'hirers specially afflicted'. Alternatively, suggests the establishment of different cab-classes, in which first-class cabs would have to be free from infection. To prevent people regarding cabs as hearses, urges the passage of a 'law of Public Safety'.

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Education

Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Cultural Geography, Education, Medical Practitioners, Instruments, Mathematics, Societies, Universities

    Notes Edinburgh's reputation as 'the intellectual hotbed of Science and Philosophy' and accordingly, the place where his 'talented friend, LANCELOT PROBUS' chose to study medicine. During the 'electioneering excitement' (a reference to the election of a new rector at the University of Edinburgh University of Edinburgh
Close   View the register entry >>) he visited Probus's room, which contained medical artefacts and instruments, and was taken by his friend on medical excursions, including inspecting 'dangerous cases' at the infirmary. Draws attention to the fact that the population of Edinburgh comprises lawyers and doctors, and that the city is host to the 'Conjectural Club', a society for debating controversial topics including the 'Differential Calculus in its relation to the Binomial Theorem'. Concludes his letter, which is aimed at correcting 'erroneous notions' about Edinburgh held by young English people, by detailing the recipe of a 'Mixture' which can relieve a wide range of medical symptoms.

Genre:

Announcement, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Quackery, Health, Periodicals, Reading

    Advertises Punch's Almanack for 1860 Punch's Almanack (1842–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> as a cure for a wide range of medical complaints. Stresses that 'it does as much for one as any advertised quack medicine, and has, moreover, the advantage of being nice to take [....] One joke relieves, one page cures!' Appends spoof testimony from two supporters, one of whom, John Smith, claims that 'Fifty minutes' indescribable agony from reading an anti-Rifle-Movement article in the Morning Star Morning Star (1856–69) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>, have been removed by buying that delightful mental food called Punch's Almanack'.

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Amusement, Medical Practitioners

    Speculates that 'doctors have some hand in the setting of the fashions' since they are 'so pointedly conducive to illnesses and ailments'.

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Light, Technology, Gender

    Explores the comparison between bridesmaids and gas-lamps. Notes that bridesmaids' 'bright eyes light the way to the hymeneal altar, as well as, if not better than, a row of fish tail burners could', while both bridesmaids and lamps emit a 'dazzling radiance' and are 'dimmed by tears, which may be regarded as water in the pipe'.