Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

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

    Addressed to the 'London Magistrate', Mr Mansfield, presents Mr Punch's praise of Mansfield for having no regrets about prosecuting the 'ill-advised ruffians' who 'broke peaceful Englishmen's heads in the Park', and for prosecuting the street musicians who irritated the 'great mathematician' Charles Babbage. Notes Mr Punch's suggestion that the 'animals' who irritate Babbage might be 'some kind of Gorilla' and that Babbage and Paul B Du Chaillu could investigate them. Inveighs against these 'creatures' for not comprehending that Babbage's 'genius' is an 'honour to the country', or the importance of his inventions. Wonders if there is 'female malice in it', a 'shrewish Materfamilias' who would have disturbed Isaac Newton and Blaise Pascal in their studies.