An elderly gentleman explains the revolutions of the earth to his small son. The latter asks if France turns 'on its axis when it makes its revolutions' but the gentleman replies that it 'turns on its bayonets'.
Punch, 22 (1852), 14.
The Member for Bodmin the Greatest of Mathematicians
Describes a meeting to discuss the 'new Egyptian Railway', which was so well attended as to suggest the incalculable 'influence of the Railway, that mighty engine of intercourse'. This discussion represents the scepticism and fears felt by Arabs towards the railway. For example, one participant, Wobblegaw Effendi, exclaims 'Backallum' to the idea that George Stephenson'sStephenson, George
(1781–1848)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> invention can complete long land journeys in the matter of a few hours. Another participant, Bogaz Kissaleri, believes the railways to be 'the work of magicians' since, on entering them you were 'thrust into a box' where 'you sat on a seat harder than nether millstone, and then a scream of a demon was heard, and the box flew away of its own accord over the tops of the mountains, and into the deep bowels of the earth'.
Expresses disgust at a report in the Morning PostMorning Post and Daily Advertising Pamphlet
(1772–1900+)
Waterloo Directory
CloseView the register entry >> of a lecture by Lyon PlayfairPlayfair, Sir Lyon, 1st Baron Playfair of St
Andrews
(1818–98)
DSB CloseView the register entry >> in which the chemist claimed that fragrances are made from such disagreeable substances as 'the offal of the streets'. The author is even more shocked by Playfair's claim that plants and food develop from the remains of 'a past generation' of animal 'ancestors' and wishes 'such unpleasant secrets [...] had never been discovered'.
Responds to an advertisement inviting 'Philanthropic Gentlemen' to meet the 'hundreds' who have been cured by 'Dr. G—'s MIRACULOUS RECIPE'. Insists that gentlemen and ladies should not rubbish 'Dr. G—'s pills', since they had not tested 'the powers of his "miraculous recipe"', and should accept homeopathic remedies without question. Adds that such 'persons of quality' know nothing of the 'laws of health and disease' and regard 'Personal recovery, after recourse to an alleged remedy, without reference to the question of post hoc or propter hoc' as sufficient proof. Invites such people to contradict the sceptical view of the Royal College of PhysiciansRoyal College of Physicians
CloseView the register entry >> and Royal College of SurgeonsRoyal College of Surgeons
CloseView the register entry >>. Ends by alluding to the support of Mason G Stratford (5th Earl of Aldborough)Stratford, Mason Gerard, 5th Earl of Aldborough
(1784–1849)
Cokayne 1910-59 CloseView the register entry >> for Thomas HollowayHolloway, Thomas
(1800–83)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >>.
Announces that 'Fifty Years' UNINTERRUPTED HEALTH has been succeeded' by a litany of diseases 'after trying BOSH's good-for-nothing stuff, called the Health-restoring AMBROSIA OLYMPICA ALIMENT'. Appends testimonials from such 'equally well-known and respectable parties' as 'LORD REWITT DE QUOTIES'.
Describes the dangers of gas jets protruding from the outside of buildings. The illustration shows a gentleman getting his hat singed by an ignited gas jet darting horizontally out from a wall.
Claims that Prof. TaylorTaylor, Prof. (practitioner of 'Magic,
Clairvoyance, and Ventriloquism, Parisian Delusions')
(fl. 1852)
PU1/22/5/3 CloseView the register entry >>, a practitioner of 'Magic, Clairvoyance, and Ventriloquism, Parisian Delusions', cannot compete with Louis NapoleonNapoleon III, Emperor of France (originally
Louis Napoléon (Charles Louis Napoléon Bonaparte))
(1808–73)
CBD CloseView the register entry >> 'in the production of Parisian Delusions'.
Homeopathy, Politics, Medical Treatment, Government
Shows Lord John RussellRussell, Lord John, 1st Earl Russell
(1792–1878)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> (the Prime Minister) reminding John Bull that 'large doses of reform are bad for your constitution' and offering him 'a globule, or infinitesimal bill'.
Claims that 'an eminent Chemist of our acquaintance has, by the aid of a highly powerful Chemico-Mesmeric Analysing Apparatus' found the 'circulating medium' of Louis NapoleonNapoleon III, Emperor of France (originally
Louis Napoléon (Charles Louis Napoléon Bonaparte))
(1808–73)
CBD CloseView the register entry >> 'to consist almost wholly of sang froid'.
Responds to news of an inventor who proposes 'to teach children their letters through the medium of lozenges' and anticipates the 'wholesome effect' produced by 'conveying information in a medical form' and combining 'salubrity with science'.
Quackery, Homeopathy, Medical Treatment, Politics, Analogy
Argues that 'the system of politics now dominant in Europe conforms with marvellous regularity to the "Hygeian or Morisonian System" in medicine', a reference to James Morison'sMorison, James
(1770–1840)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> quack remedies. Supports this by drawing analogies between the propositions in a hand-bill for Morison's system and features of European politics. For example, while Morison proposes that 'All diseases arise from impurity of the Blood, or, in other words, acrimonious humours lodged in the body', Punch notes that 'it is impossible to deny that "acrimonious humours"—very bad humours indeed—prevail in the body politic, everywhere to a very great extent'. Extending the analogy, desires the equivalent of the 'Vegetable Compound' which will cure the diseases of the European body politic.
Invention, Technology, Public Health, Sound, Architecture
Considers David B Reid'sReid, David Boswell
(1805–63)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> ventilation system for the Houses of ParliamentHouses of Parliament
CloseView the register entry >> to have made 'the temperature pleasant— in the heat, too, of the debate', so that 'the only draughts one suffered from, were the drafts of Bills'. Admits that the building's roof is not built upon 'acoustic principles' but adds that 'one still heard what Members said, wherever they might stand'.
Politics, Education, Physical Geography, Astronomy, Political Economy, Physiology, Medical Treatment, Quackery, Homeopathy, Geology
Argues against the hereditary principle as sufficient for admission to the House of LordsHouse of Lords
CloseView the register entry >>. Notes that 'nobody is a physician by birth', and argues that neither should a peer be able to 'practise his profession without examination'. Insists that a peer should learn such scientific subjects as 'the physiology of the Constitution which he will have to treat', medicine—so that 'he may understand the analogies of national and individual therapeutics'—and geology, so that he may 'acquire a philosophical idea of pedigree, by comparing the bones of his ancestors with those of the ichthyosaurus'.
Government, Technology, Public Health, Pollution, Agriculture, Expertise, Scientific Practitioners, Charlatanry
Complains about the disastrous ventilation system in the House of CommonsHouse of Commons
CloseView the register entry >>, which has led to such dire consequences as members of parliament 'breathing sulphuretted— / What d'ye call it?— hydrogen'. Pointing out that 'this is ventilation / Upon scientific grounds / Which cost the British nation / Near a hundred thousand pounds', denies that 'men of science' know anything about chemistry and condemns 'your FARADAYSFaraday, Michael
(1791–1867)
DSB CloseView the register entry >> and BRANDESBrande, William Thomas
(1788–1866)
DSB CloseView the register entry >>, / And your LIEBIGSLiebig, Justus von
(1803–73)
DSB CloseView the register entry >>' who advocate chemical fertilisers.
Government, Technology, Public Health, Politics, Architecture, Charlatanry
Responds to the woefully poor ventilation system in the House of CommonsHouse of Commons
CloseView the register entry >>. Believes that David B ReidReid, David Boswell
(1805–63)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> and Charles BarryBarry, Sir Charles
(1795–1860)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> have 'nearly blown us / Out of the window to the skies'. Explains the excessive heat and icy breezes generated by the ventilation system and asks 'Shall we boil, or freeze, or fry?'. Resolves to 'throw the doctors [Reid and Barry]' 'Overboard' until 'by these great air-decocters / Something definite is known'.
Reports an apparent fulfilment of François M A Voltaire'sVoltaire, François Marie Arouet de
(1694–1778)
DSB CloseView the register entry >> 'animal combination' of the 'Monkey and the Tiger'—a story about a monkey at Wombwell's MenagerieWombwell's Menagerie
CloseView the register entry >> which, escaping from chastisement by a keeper, was eaten by a tiger. Thinks the resulting monster 'Monkey-Tiger' or 'Tiger-Monkey' would, if trained to walk on its hind legs, 'pass in certain circles for a great practical statesman'.
Reports on Frederick Gray'sGray, Frederick
(fl. 1855)
WBI CloseView the register entry >> invention of a compound that closely resembles human skin. Believes the invention 'will open a door to gross imposition' and anticipates the appearance of false hands and no end 'to the mending of faces'.
Zoology, Monstrosities, Politics, Government, Political Economy, Agriculture
Describes a sighting by 'One of our Foreign Correspondents' of the 'Protectionist Sea-Serpent' which was attacked by 'a native, named JACK RUSSELL' (i.e. Lord John RussellRussell, Lord John, 1st Earl Russell
(1792–1878)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >>, the Prime Minister), 'the mate of the Free-Trader', Richard CobdenCobden, Richard
(1804–65)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >>, and other members of the boat crew. The illustration shows a sea-serpent, with John Bull's head and a body marked 'Protection', in pursuit of 'The [Agricultural] LeagueAgricultural League
CloseView the register entry >>' ship, at whose stern John Russell sits.
Responding to news of a proposed monument to James MorisonMorison, James
(1770–1840)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >>, suggests that the inscription should be 'Si monumentum quæris circumspice!'.
Invention, Technology, Adulteration, Public Health, Nutrition
Responding to an advertisement for a new machine for testing the 'genuineness of milk', insists that nobody is interested in testing 'that chalky article' and thinks it is 'Far better to swallow it [milk] with all its faults, than attempt to dive too deeply into its mysteries'.
Notes the ability of mesmerised subjects to 'see through walls and relate what is occurring at any distance', and warns Louis NapoleonNapoleon III, Emperor of France (originally
Louis Napoléon (Charles Louis Napoléon Bonaparte))
(1808–73)
CBD CloseView the register entry >> that the discussions of his senate and legislative assembly will be 'got at'.
Adulteration, Technology, Invention, Public Health, Nutrition, Charlatanry
Expresses approval that the progress of the 'milk-tester' into the 'milk-cans and milk-jugs of the metropolis' has broken the partnership between 'the cow and the pump', because it will prevent the cow 'exhausting all its resources on a dishonourable connection with a Pump' which has helped 'a system of fraud and trickery'.
Shocked to see an advertisement for the sale of the Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace
CloseView the register entry >>, Punch tries to convince himself that 'somebody had chloroformed or electro-biologised us unawares'.
Agrees with the proposal to erect a monument of James MorisonMorison, James
(1770–1840)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> and supports this view with arguments that play on words associated with his medical trade. For instance, a monument should be erected 'Because Morison was one of the most remarkable pillers of society'. Suggests, by means of an illustration, that it should consist of a brass head stone resting on a brass disk marked '13 1/2 D'—possibly the cost of one of his celebrated pills.
Medical Treatment, Medical Practitioners, Crime, Gender, Human Development
Responding to news of a severe sentence given to a man for 'an error in the administration of a remedy', thinks medical men should 'give up practice; because in their case an error in judgement' is inexcusable. Blames 'other parties'—undoubtedly patent medicine sellers—for causing 'ignorant females' to give poisonous substances to infants.
Notes Alfred S Taylor'sTaylor, Alfred Swaine
(1806–80)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> argument, in On PoisonsTaylor, Alfred
Swaine 1848. On Poisons in Relation to Medical Jurisprudence and
Medicine, London: John Churchill
CloseView the register entry >>, concerning the 'extraordinary' effect of some types of bread and fish on the human body. Links the 'mental alteration' of a thinly-veiled Chancellor of the Exchequer, Benjamin DisraeliDisraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield
(1804–81)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >>, to a consumption of these loaves and fishes. Believes that the effect of 'Treasury bread' and fish upon Disraeli's mind preaches to us 'the wonderful impartiality of nature'. Using Taylor, attributes Disraeli's recent 'irritation' to his consumption of oysters and periwinkles at Downing Street.
Description of the habits of the 'Protectionist Cuckoo' which alludes to the poor state of the protectionist cause. For example, the bird is described as 'one of the rarest of birds' whose 'whole family will soon fade from the eye of the Political Naturalist', and which is 'incapable of any high flight whatever'.
Public Health, Sanitation, Pollution, Disease, Commerce
A 'Humble Petition of the Metropolitan Water Companies' to ParliamentHouses of Parliament
CloseView the register entry >> that makes cynical digs at the profits made from consumers by the water companies, and upholds the shortcomings of such companies as virtues. For example, it urges 'That your Petitioners have supplied Water of a very superior quality; viz. Thames water, of a much more nutritious character than any soft water' owing to its enrichment by 'a large percentage of animal matter'. Other items on the petition are attacks on the refusal of metropolitan water companies to supply soft water constantly and at high pressure.
Discusses reports that strychnine has been used in the production of bitter ale and although the LancetLancet
(1823–1900+)
Waterloo
Directory CloseView the register entry >> has 'made the public suspicious of nearly everything that is sold for food', believes 'Everything, however bad, has some redeeming quality'.
Homeopathy, Medical Practitioners, Education, Gender
Responding to news that in America nine women are studying homeopathy, hopes that nurses soothe babies with 'infinitesimal doses of 'Daffy and Dalby'—an allusion to Anthony Daffy's Daffy, Anthony
(fl. 1673)
RLIN CloseView the register entry >>'Elixir Salutis' and Joseph Dalby'sDalby, Joseph
(fl. 1760)
WBI CloseView the register entry >> work on the medicinal qualities of cinnabar and musk (see Daffy 1673Daffy, Anthony
1673. Elixir Salutis: The Choise Drink of Health, or, Health-Bringing Drink
... a Secret Far Beyond any Medicament yet Known, London: T.
Milbourn
CloseView the register entry >> and Dalby 1762Dalby, Joseph
1762. The Virtues of Cinnabar and Musk, Against the Bite of a Mad Dog,
Illustrated, in a Letter to Sir George Cobb, Baronet, with a Word or Two
Concerning Dr. Henry Bracken's Newly Discovered Specifick, of Near
Eighteen-Hundred Years Standing, Being a Sufficient Refutation of the Flimsy
Arguments Advanced by this Celebrated Writer, in a Learned Rant on the Virtues
of Goose-Grease [...] Birmingham: John Baskerville
CloseView the register entry >>).
Written by 'Our own Clairvoyant' discusses several works that have not 'as yet reached even the blotting paper of its author', each one being a mere 'baby-bookling in the brain'.
Pharmaceuticals, Medical Treatment, Crime, Mental Illness, Phrenology, Education, Human Development
Notes the strange cure for epilepsy prescribed by George BateBate, George
(1608–68)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> in his PharmacopeiaBate, George 1688.
Pharmacopeia Bateana, in qua octingenta circiter pharmaca, pleruq; Omnia
è praxi G. Batei [...] Excertpa, ordine alphabetico coreise exhibibentur
[...] Accessit orthotonia edicorum observata: Annexa item est [...] tabula
posologica dosibus pharmacorum [...] expeditius computandis acconmodata [...]
Cura Ja. Shipton, 3 pts, London: Sam. Smith
CloseView the register entry >> but points out that physicians of Bates' day 'practised according to the science of the period'. Comparing medical practitioners to lawyers, notes that 'judges and magistrates' only 'administer punishments [...] conformably to the rules of the faculty' but regards this as a reason for criticising a sentence without attacking the judge. Objects strongly to a judge's decision to flog a ten year-old child for theft, and thinks education rather than flagellation is the proper way of removing the child's 'constitutional propensity to steal'. Discusses the phrenologists' claims regarding the faculty of 'acquisitiveness' and points out that illustrations of this can be seen in the London shop of Cornelius DonovanDonovan, Cornelius
(c. 1820–72)
DNBS CloseView the register entry >>, the phrenologist.
Written 'By a Scottish Philosopher who has tried them all', these rules play on stereotypes of Scottish people and include such injunctions as 'Never eat anything but oatmeal', and 'Walk fifteen miles regularly every day'.
Believes the 'Astronomy of the Stage presents phenomena which would startle even the indefatigable astronomer' who sends such observations of the 'sky blue, milky way, or the electric currents' to The TimesThe Times
(1777–1900+)
Waterloo
Directory CloseView the register entry >>. Points out that the stars referred to in the title are not the 'ADDITIONAL PLANETS' or the 'pretty little twinkling stars' that John C AdamsAdams, John Couch
(1819–92)
DSB CloseView the register entry >> keeps discovering, but the moon represented in the Royal Italian Opera's production of Gioacchino A Rossini'sRossini, Gioacchino Antonio
(1792–1868)
CBD CloseView the register entry >>Guglielmo Tell. Observes that the moon's conduct 'was consistent with the rules of Astronomy'.
Reports that an aristocratic astronomer 'declines to inspect LEVERRIER'sLe Verrier, Urbain Jean Joseph
(1811–77)
DSB CloseView the register entry >> new planet' because 'it is a parvenu'.
Announces that 'communication with the other world' is 'an established fact' in America and presents a newspaper report of two mediums who produced libellous 'sundry communications' from the spirit of a gentleman who patronised them. Concludes that the 'miscalled Rappers' are 'clearly not worth a rap'.
Reporting on a banquet held by supporters of the London Homeopathic HospitalLondon Homeopathic Hospital
CloseView the register entry >>, notes sarcastically that the chairman, George T Keppel (6th Earl of Albermarle)Keppel, George Thomas, 6th Earl of Albemarle
(1799–1891)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >>, was 'doubtless [...] so distinguished in the scientific world [... as] to form a sound judgement on a medical question', and 'considered well what he was about' before supporting the subversive medical system of homeopathy. Suggests the 'HAHNEMANNITES' (followers Christian F S HahnemannHahnemann, Christian Friedrich Samuel
(1755–1843)
DSB CloseView the register entry >>) do not entirely carry out their principle of "similia similibus" owing to the non-infinitesimal quantities of food they consumed at the banquet. Notes the non-infinitesimal patronage of the hospital offered by 'certain bankers'.
Reports on experiments to test whether a Minie rifle, a weapon designed to fire balls to 'the distance whereat the marksman can see', can fire balls to a greater distance once it is fitted with a telescopic sight.
Medical Practitioners, Education, Homeopathy, Heterodoxy, Hydropathy
Asks whether the 'paths' in hydropathy, allopathy, and homeopathy 'lead more or less to the CollegeRoyal College of Physicians
CloseView the register entry >>'.
Considers that reports of the sea serpent suggest that humans have little 'regard for truth' but explains why it was reasonable for sailors to mistake a steamer for the monster.
Responding to an astronomer's report of 'a fine group of spots on the sun', suggests anybody who considers spots to be fine to be observing the sun 'with the eye of a Macassar'.
Explains the practice of electro-biology and electro-biologists' ability to make people 'the victims of the most extraordinary delusions'. Responding to an advertisement in The TimesThe Times
(1777–1900+)
Waterloo
Directory CloseView the register entry >> for a 'CLASS for INSTRUCTION in this SCIENCE', concludes that electro-biology is less a science than an art for extracting money from people whose 'pecuniary substance' dominates their 'cerebral development'. Deplores the fact that entire assemblies of people can fall under the sway of the electro-biologist and regards this demonstration of the 'gullible portion of the human species' to be 'psychologically interesting'.
Notes that 'French Senators are expressly required to legislate with their eyes shut, and on no account permitted to appear in what an electro-biologist would term "a wakeful state"'.
Discusses a Morning PostMorning Post and Daily Advertising Pamphlet
(1772–1900+)
Waterloo Directory
CloseView the register entry >> report of the London Homeopathic HospitalLondon Homeopathic Hospital
CloseView the register entry >> dinner. Notes the non-infinitesimal amounts of food eaten and rejects the idea that the Queen's health should depend on 'the power of homeopathy or allopathy'. Following John Epps'sEpps, John
(1805–69)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> remarks, thinks 'the globule reputation is what some people seek [...] when, by agitating for the diffusion of nonsense, they acquire infinitesimal celebrity'. Notes Henry R Madden'sMadden, Henry Ridewood
(fl. 1851)
PU1/22/21/1 CloseView the register entry >> argument that Benjamin C Brodie'sBrodie, Sir Benjamin Collins, 1st Baronet
(1783–1862)
DSB
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> practice has improved since he discontinued bleeding, and claims that homeopathic patients would have ascribed this success to homeopathy 'no less' than the discontinuance of bleeding. Reminds those ladies and gentleman ignorant of medicine that 'many diseases will get well without the aid of medicine' and that homeopathic globules 'do infinitely small harm'. Introduces 'oudenopathy' as a treatment for the 'really ill' and those who have nothing wrong with them, and, following John Kennaway'sKennaway, Sir John, 2nd Baronet
(1797–1873)
WBI CloseView the register entry >> remarks, ponders the possibility that homeopathy, like astrology, will outlive the ridicule aimed at it.
Notes that one of the speakers at the meeting was 'DOCTOR BECCAFICO (the great homeopathist)' who 'practised medicine upon the principles of the immortal HAHNEMANNHahnemann, Christian Friedrich Samuel
(1755–1843)
DSB CloseView the register entry >>'.
Argues that, while 'it may be desirable that a physician's prescription should sometimes be written in ciphers and contractions unintelligible to the patient', there is no reason for butchers' bills to be illegible.
Surprised that electro-biology has not been adopted by politicians to make John Bull 'swallow whatever the Minister should desire to force down the throat of the victim'. Points out that the 'great advantage of electro-biology over common-place Mesmerism' is that it can be performed while the patient is awake—a state that John Bull is in for most of the time. Notes that electrobiologized patients apparently find it difficult to get rid of an object that they have stared at for a long time; the author believes that this is the situation with regard to John Bull (the patient) and income tax (the object). The illustration shows the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Benjamin DisraeliDisraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield
(1804–81)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> (standing), as the electrobiological 'Professor' who, while pointing to a lump of sugar (marked 'Income Tax') in the hands of a transfixed John Bull, exclaims, 'There, Sir That's a Lump of Sugar—You Can't Move it, Sir; I Defy You to Get Rid of It'.
Responds to news of the introduction into England of a 'Diurnal Reflector, which is intended to invest dark places with the light of day'. Notes that the instrument was banned from Paris where newspapers are suppressed for trying to illuminate the dark operations of the French government. Suggests the instruments are used to illuminate the 'dark doings' of the Court of ChanceryCourt of Chancery
CloseView the register entry >>.
Animal Behaviour, Zoological Gardens, Politics, Government
Objects strongly to Chancellor of the Exchequer Benjamin Disraeli'sDisraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield
(1804–81)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> sneer at the proposal to give parliamentary representation to the Zoological Society GardensZoological Society of London —Gardens
CloseView the register entry >>. The elephant puffs himself as 'the brute model of the human politician', identifying his trunk as representing 'the very philosophy of statesmanship'.
Argues that electrobiology is not novel since the landlords of taverns have long used similar practices: when dealing with complaints about the quality of wine, they invite customers to focus on the 'bees wing' in the glass and expatiate on the history of the wine to convince customers that what they have is 'an excellent glass of port'.