Science in the 19th Century Periodical

Punch, Or the London Charivari [1st]

Introductory Essay
Volume 23  (July to December 1852)
Punch,  23 (1852), 10.

Senile Acuteness

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Geology, Education


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Punch,  23 (1852), 11.

The Gin Palace, or the Crystal Palace on Sunday? A Prose Canticle

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Anon

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Architecture, Natural Theology, Design, Education, Religious Authority


    Discussing the idea of opening the Crystal Palace Crystal Palace
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on Sundays, points out that the building 'will contain wonders of creation' which can help preachers demonstrate 'the benevolence, justice and wisdom, presiding over the universe'. Suggests that some 'heterodox wretch might even propose to have services, in the spirit of the Bridgewater treatises Chalmers, Thomas et al. 1833–36. The Bridgewater Treatises on the Power, Wisdom and Goodness of God as Manifested in the Creation, 12 vols, London: William Pickering
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' in the building 'amidst objects which would certainly afford the strongest evidences of the principles asserted in those volumes'.



Punch,  23 (1852), 13.

Tapping a Beer Barrel for the Truth

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Adulteration, Nutrition, Chemistry, Lecturing

People mentioned:

John H Pepper Pepper, John Henry (1821–1900) ODNB
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Institutions mentioned:

Royal Polytechnic Institution Royal Polytechnic Institution
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Punch,  23 (1852), 15.

Something "Looms in the Future;"

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Anon

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Instruments, Light, Politics


    Subtitled, 'Or, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Making it Quite Clear to Mr. Bull'. Shows John Bull peering through the crooked eyepiece of a telescope, while Benjamin Disraeli Disraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield (1804–81) ODNB
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holds his hat over the other end of the instrument.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 32.

A Dismal Look-Out for Protection

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Invention, Light, Instruments, Politics, Agriculture


    Responds to news of a pocket telescope that enables somebody to be seen 'at a distance of a mile and a half'. Regards the invention as useful for scrutinising distant parliamentary candidates and for protectionist voters to recognise remote 'agricultural prospects'.


See also:

Anon, 'Something "Looms in the Future;"', Punch, 23 (1852), 15


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Punch,  23 (1852), 41.

Lord Maidstone's Flood of Eloquence

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoological Gardens, Vulcanology, Amusement, Government, Agriculture


    Responds to the suggestion of George J Finch-Hatton (Viscount Maidstone) Finch-Hatton, George James, 11th Earl of Winchilsea and 6th Earl of Nottingham (formerly styled 'Viscount Maidstone') (1815–1887) WBI
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that the downfall of the protectionist ministry of Edward G G S Stanley (14th Earl of Derby) Stanley, Edward George Geoffrey Smith, 14th Earl of Derby (1799–1869) ODNB
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would be followed by a deluge, or that Vesuvius was its 'only possible successor'. Thinks the 'mock lava of the mimic mountain' of the volcano at the Surrey Zoological Gardens Surrey Literary, Scientific and Zoological Institution—Gardens
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is better than 'the unmeaning palaver of the pseudo-Protectionist ministry'.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 43.

Matrimonial Biology

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Anon

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Mesmerism, Electricity, Gender, Psychology, Biology


    Believes the 'science' of electrobiology, rather than biology, is 'famous', because it 'requires very great skill to practise it', and produces amusing effects. Illustrates this point with an account of 'MR JONES' who, by staring and arguing with his wife, or by applying pressure to her wrist and ankle, makes her succumb to his will. Points out that 'husbands are not so susceptible as wives', but describes the case of 'MR DOVE' who succumbs easily to his wife's 'Biological influence'—an influence consisting 'of a frown first, and a pinch afterwards' that Punch describes with examples drawn from the Doves' behaviour in polite society. Notes the 'entertaining experiments' that can be made when placing a sovereign in the wife's hand.



Punch,  23 (1852), 45.

Insensibility to Famine

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Mesmerism, Electricity, Politics, Agriculture


    Claims that Fitzroy Kelly Kelly, Sir Fitzroy (1796–1880) ODNB
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has been 'studying electro-biology and trying to impress the susceptible subjects of East Suffolk' and that the repeal of the Corn Laws has not raised 'the food, the comforts and enjoyments of the people'.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 54.

The Poor Old Koh-i-Noor Again!

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Anon

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

J L, pseud.  [John Leech] Leech, John (1817–64) ODNB
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Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
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Subjects:

Crystallography, Steam-power, Engineering, Light, Politics, Race


    Illustrates the attempt to increase the luminosity of the Koh-i-Noor diamond, an object that was the centrepiece of the Great Exhibition Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations (1851)
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and is here represented by a Turk with a diamond-shaped head. The diamond is surrounded by several 'Eminent Scientific Men', the 'Dook' (i.e. Arthur Wellesley, (1st Duke of Wellington) Wellesley, Arthur, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769–1852) ODNB
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), and some 'Dutch' artisans who are seen operating 'requisite machinery' to solve the problem of increasing the diamond's luminosity.



Punch,  23 (1852), 54–55.

The Koh-i-Noor Cut and Come Again

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Crystallography, Steam-power, Engineering


    Following on from Anon, 'The Poor Old Koh-i-Noor Again!', Punch, 23 (1852), 54, details the attempt to make the Koh-i-Noor diamond shine. Notes that the chemist James Tennant Tennant, James (1808–81) ODNB
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reported on the possibility of cutting the diamond, while two Dutch artisans, 'under the direction of MR. JOSHUA FIELD Field, Joshua (1786–1863) ODNB
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, of the firm MAUDSLEY, FIELD AND SON Maudslay Sons & Field Ltd, firm
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', used a steam-powered machine to perform the cutting operation. (54)



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Punch,  23 (1852), 67.

Hints to Young Yachtsmen

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Anon

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Instruments, Navigation, Observation, Skill


    Believes a good test for a 'finished yachtsman' is the 'way he carries his "Dollond" Dollond, John (1706–61) DSB
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' and that the '"GUNTER's Gunter, Edmund (1581–1626) DSB
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scale" [...] is a most useful scientific instrument'.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 77.

Jenner-osity in a Young Lady

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Angelina Angelina
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Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Vaccination, Medical Treatment, Medical Practitioners, Heroism, Aesthetics


    Argues that her appearance would have suffered had she not been vaccinated and offers to contribute to a proposed statue of Edward Jenner Jenner, Edward (1749–1823) DSB
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.



Punch,  23 (1852), 77.

Vegetable Gas

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Light, Invention, Nutrition


    Comments on the possibility of supplying street lamps with gas produced from vegetables. Anticipates 'a tremendous explosion some day among our friends the Vegetarians'.



Punch,  23 (1852), 83.

A Peep into the People's Palace

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Anon

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Mesmerism, Spiritualism, Magnetism, Psychology, Observation


    Describes Mr Punch's visit to the Crystal Palace Crystal Palace
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and wonders whether 'the iced champagne / Or Beauty's power magnetic, / Or both, that acting on his brain [...] Gave him a sort of clairvoyance' that enabled him to see 'The Palace of the People'.



Punch,  23 (1852), 84.

Alarming Intelligence

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Anon

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Crime


    Depicts a 'Swell Mobsman' reacting to news that police officers are to be connected by electric telegraph.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 85.

Protection Against the Electric Telegraph

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Anon

Genre:

Proceedings, Spoof

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Crime, Electricity, Anti-Scientism


    Describes an 'Important Meeting of the Swell Mob' concerning proposals to 'connect all Police Officers with the Electric Telegraph'. Participants agree that the proposal posed a serious threat to their livelihoods. For example, 'MR. MONTGOMERY MORTIMER' complains that 'They were to be nabbed through electricity' and this would prevent him from continuing his 'arduous profession' overseas. The 'REVEREND MR. CAVENDISH BELGRAVE' announces the existence of 'clerical gents' in the Legislature which 'existed to restrict ingenuity and enterprise'. The meeting ends with 'three groans' being given to Charles Wheatstone Wheatstone, Charles (1802–75) DSB
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.



Punch,  23 (1852), 85.

Zoological Recreations

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Anon

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoology, Amusement

Institutions mentioned:

Surrey Zoological Gardens Surrey Literary, Scientific and Zoological Institution—Gardens
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    Describes some omissions from William J Broderip's Broderip, William John (1789–1859) ODNB
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Zoological Recreations Broderip, William John 1847. Zoological Recreations, London: H. Colburn
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, including the 'zoological recreation' of 'riding on the elephant's back for twopence' and 'poking at the monkeys with the points of parasols'.



Punch,  23 (1852), 85.

The Last Kicks of Puffery

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Aeronautics, Progress, Amusement


    Doubts whether science is 'being aided' by Mme Poitevin's Poitevin, Mme. (fl. 1850) http://www.balloonlife.com/publications/balloon_life/9512/history.htm
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foolhardy ballooning exploits.



Punch,  23 (1852), 91.

A Squeak for the British Drama

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One of the Pigs of the Haymarket One of the Pigs of the Haymarket
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Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Zoology, Amusement


    Responding to the appearance of a pig in a play at the Haymarket, asks why dramatists do not go to the Zoological Society Zoological Society of London —Gardens
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to select animals, and why they do not choose an elephant because 'elephants and pigs are proved by MR BUFFON Buffon, Georges-Louis Leclerc, comte de (1707–88) DSB
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to be of the same family'.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 96.

Economy in Royal Salutes

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Davy Davy
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Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Military Technology, Chemistry


    Advises the Lords of the Admiralty to use 'Quadrochloride of Nitrogen [...] one of the most explosive compounds known', to save money on firing salutes. The substance is so potent that the author fails to finish his concluding sentence stating that he would risk his life to prove the truth of his claims.



Punch,  23 (1852), 102.

Melpomene, A Star at Last

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy, Discovery, Amusement


    Responds to news of John R Hind's Hind, John Russell (1823–95) DSB
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discovery of a new planet between Mars and Jupiter, and is pleased with the decision to name the planet Melpomene. Suggests, however, that to settle the 'ticklish' state of affairs between England and America, the planet should be called 'SUSAN CUSHMAN', after the contemporary American star of the London stage.



Punch,  23 (1852), 103.

Balloon Ascent (Not Very?) Extraordinary!

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Anon

Genre:

Advertisement, Spoof

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Aeronautics, Accidents, Technology, Medical Treatment


    Describes the dangers of participating in the balloon rides offered by the 'Proprietors of the GRAND COCKAIGNE PLEASURE GROUNDS'. Puffs the strong possibility that witnesses to the ascents have a good chance of seeing 'HALF-A-DOZEN PERSONS KILLED AT ONCE!' which will lead to the spectacle of seeing 'Eminent SURGEONS' perform amputations at St Bartholomew's Hospital St Bartholomew's Hospital
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and 'THE OPERATION OF TREPANNING'. The illustration shows a young man lifted upside down under a ballon on which is displayed an ominous skull and cross-bones.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 105.

Security in Railway Travelling

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Anon

Genre:

Advertisement, Spoof

Subjects:

Railways, Accidents, Medical Treatment, Education, Anaesthesia, Transport


    Announces to the 'STAFF OF EXPERIENCED SURGEONS' that the 'BOARD OF DIRECTORS of the KILLBURY and MAIMSWORTH line of RAILWAY' are putting on their trains. Notes that their service will provide ample opportunities for medical students to practise 'AMPUTATIONS, (under Chloroform)'.



Punch,  23 (1852), 111.

The Archaeologist's Progress for 1853

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Anon

Genre:

Proceedings, Spoof

Subjects:

Archaeology, Societies


    Claims that the 'Archaeologist's Progress' is notorious for such absurdities as tracing 'the bees'-wing in a bottle of port at Newark to the bees that swarmed about the mouth of Plato Plato (428–348/7 BC) DSB
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. Notes Professor Pinchy's support for the archaeologists' claim that eating and drinking were 'necessities of human nature'. Reports his proposal that the archaeologists should, the following year, 'sit upon Dorking fowls—a subject hitherto neglected', and consider similarly trivial subjects, such as 'the brawn of Canterbury' and the 'sausages of Epping'.



Punch,  23 (1852), 113.

Railway Intelligence

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Anon

Genre:

Proceedings, Spoof

Subjects:

Railways, Technology, Transport, Commerce, Engineering


    Describes a meeting of railway shareholders to discuss a proposed amalgamation of all railway companies—an allusion to the proposal to amalgamate the South Eastern South Eastern Railway Company
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and London, Brighton & South Coast London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company
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railway companies—as a way of raising fares. During the discussion the chairman stresses the desirability of adopting a universal level and gauge (of the narrowest possible kind) for all railways.



Punch,  23 (1852), 113.

Devastation from the Clouds!

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Meteorology, Aeronautics


    Explains that balloons have a worse effect on crops than showers or thunderbolts owing to the fact that they scare animals into trampling fields of crops.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 115.

Walking the Railways

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Anon

Genre:

Advertisement, Spoof

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

L, pseud.  [John Leech] Leech, John (1817–64) ODNB
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Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
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Subjects:

Railways, Medical Treatment, Accidents, Hospitals


    The 'Directors of the Great North Southern and East Western Railway' announce to 'MEDICAL STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND GUARDIANS' their 'SCHOOL of SURGERY', consisting of hospitals in railway stations where frequent victims of railway accidents provide material for instruction. The illustration shows the figure of death as a signalman standing outside a railway tunnel.



Punch,  23 (1852), 116.

The 50,000 Cures

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Quackery, Medical Treatment, Statistics


    Notes the fact that quack medicines are always promoted as substances which have caused '50,000' cures, but insists that the constancy of this figure over the past three years indicates the ineffectiveness of the medicine.



Punch,  23 (1852), 122.

The Deponent's Assistant

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Instruments, Religion, Politics

Institutions mentioned:

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
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    Claims that a 'celebrated political Priest' has invented forceps for 'the extraction of any oath which may threaten to choke a witness or juryman'.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 126.

Extraordinary Nocturnal Balloon Ascent of the British Association

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Anon

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Education, Chemistry, Societies, Mesmerism, Animal Magnetism, Astronomy, Evolution, Aeronautics, Ethnology, Electricity, Physics

People mentioned:

Edwin Lankester, Lankester, Edwin (1814–74) ODNB
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Robert Hunt, Hunt, Robert (1807–87) ODNB
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Thomas Pettigrew Pettigrew, Thomas Joseph (1791–1865) ODNB
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    Written by Professor Puffy, who explains that he learnt the science of mechanics from his toys and the chemistry of alcoholic drinks from his college gyp. Puffs his contributions to the 'Transactions' of the British Association for the Advancement of Science British Association for the Advancement of Science
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and his other scientific achievements. This include his correspondence with Karl L Reichenbach Reichenbach, Karl (or Carl) Ludwig ()1788–1869 DSB
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by 'sympathetic snails', his authorship of the Vestiges [Chambers, Robert] 1844. Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation, London: John Churchill
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, and his priority over Alfred Smee Smee, Alfred (1818–77) ODNB
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in identifying man as a 'voltaic battery'. Reports the approbation with which the association received his paper on comets and notes how he accompanied Roderick I Murchison Murchison, Sir Roderick Impey, 1st Baronet (1792–1871) DSBODNB
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and Charles R Weld Weld, Charles Richard (1813–69) ODNB
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on a balloon ride to the 'Glimpses of the Moon', armed with a lactometer for Mr Woods Woods, Mr (fl. 1852) PU1/23/13/1
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and Michael Faraday Faraday, Michael (1791–1867) DSB
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. Describes a fantastic voyage and battle 'amongst the planets', in which the planets and constellations are the mythical beings whose names they bear. Notes how Edward Sabine Sabine, Edward (1788–1883) DSB
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'got us all into a mighty scrape, / By proposing that in MERCURY (I think the man was daft), / With the help of URSA MINOR, we should try to sink a shaft', and how John R Hind Hind, John Russell (1823–95) DSB
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tried to save the travellers from the 'dogstar'. Concluding lines of poem reveal that the voyage has been Puffy's dream. The illustration shows Puffy ascending above crowds with an umbrella.



Punch,  23 (1852), 126.

Sleepers Wide-Awake

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Mesmerism, Psychology, Medical Treatment


Punch,  23 (1852), 126.

Irish Craniology

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Anatomy, Cultural Geography

Publications cited:

Grattan 1853


    Observes with interest that in his paper on Irish crania to the British Association for the Advancement of Science British Association for the Advancement of Science
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, John Grattan Grattan, John (fl. 1852) Grattan 1853
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found that most skulls had been broken.



Punch,  23 (1852), 129.

Railway Undertaking

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Anon

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Railways, Accidents, Transport


    Shows an undertaker asking a railway passenger to accept one of his business cards. In the background is a railway carriage marked 'Surgery'.



Punch,  23 (1852), 131.

The Duchess's Own Doctor

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Quackery, Medical Treatment, Gender, Class

People mentioned:

Thomas Holloway, Holloway, Thomas (1800–83) ODNB
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James Morison Morison, James (1770–1840) ODNB
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    Noting that physicians are forbidden to advertise, responds to an advertisement in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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from 'L.C.', putatively Dr Linkumfeedle, a 'fashionable physician' who defends women against charges that they find childrearing 'a great bore'. Linkumfeedle insists that upper and middle-class women have to be persuaded to relinquish this duty to wet nurses but the writer believes 'vulgar medical science' favours nurses in this role. Responding to Linkumfeedle's criticism of high-born mothers who ruin their health through childcare, considers that Linkumfeedle is the physician who attends, makes considerable profit from, and advertises himself to serve the 'highborn and wealthy'.



Punch,  23 (1852), 132.

Give Him a Line!

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Phrenology, Crime, Progress, Periodicals


    Observes with some relish that an article in a 'penny-a-liner' used phrenology to judge a criminal, rather than simply narrate his story. Believes this indicates that 'the scientific spirit is gradually prevailing'.



Punch,  23 (1852), 132.

Reflections of a Second Class

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Anon

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Railways, Telegraphy, Electricity, Accidents, Transport, Travel


    General reflections on the dangers of railway travel for a second-class passenger. For instance, 'In Tunnels, where 'tis pitchy dark, / He moralises thus:— / "How very soon life's little spark / May be put out for us!" / Electric Telegraphs, of course, / Remind him of a shock'. Agrees that with the railway 'we conquer Time and Space' but balances this with the fatalities it causes.



Punch,  23 (1852), 134.

Railway Literature

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John Leech Leech, John (1817–64) ODNB
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Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

L, pseud.  [John Leech] Leech, John (1817–64) ODNB
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Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
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Subjects:

Railways, Accidents, Medical Treatment, Transport


    Depicts a bookstall keeper inviting a woman to either buy a surgeon's book on 'BROKEN LEGS' or a copy of 'THE RAILWAY OPERATOR'.



Punch,  23 (1852), 134.

In Vino Veritas

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Anon

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Agriculture, Disease, Class


    Urges 'savans' to elucidate the causes of the disease afflicting vegetables—a disease that already affects the lives of 'lower orders of the population' but which, as Punch cynically observes, only gains the attention of the higher orders when it affects their wine.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 136–7.

The Fogie Family Papers

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Anon

Genre:

Drama, Drollery

Subjects:

Light, Technology, Domestic Economy, Education, Steam-power, Gender


    Describes the responses of members of the Fogie family to their new lamp. Their exchanges about the lamp reveal their worries about the dangers of the lamp exploding. Contrasts are developed between Mr Fogie, who explains the mechanism of the lamp in terms of a steam engine, to his wife, who finds it difficult to understand the lamp, and the scientific explanation of the lamp mechanism offered by Miss Winterbottom.



Punch,  23 (1852), 137.

The Wisdom of Wisacres

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Mathematics, Political Economy, Scientific Practitioners, Progress


    Criticises a correspondent in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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for poor mathematical arguments concerning taxation, and attacks mathematicians for having 'progressed so far in their own science' that they have lost sight of their ridiculous postulates.



Punch,  23 (1852), 138.

King Cholera to His Liege Friends in England

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Anon

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Disease, Public Health, Sanitation, Medical Practitioners


    Describes the imminent arrival of 'KING CHOLERA' from Northern Europe. Attacks England's 'curs'd Boards of Health, / Its sewers, and drains, and inspectors' who 'keep poking their nose' wherever cholera goes. Believes cholera's friends include the boards of the health and the 'doctors and drainers' who consider self-government to be the solution to the problem of the disease.



Punch,  23 (1852), 139.

A Court for King Cholera

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Anon

Genre:

Illustration

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Disease, Pollution, Human Development


    Shows a crowded thoroughfare flanked by 'Logins for travellers' on one side, and dominated by a pile of filth on the other. Several children play on and around the pile, while a woman crouches over it, evidently in search of something valuable or useful.



Punch,  23 (1852), 143.

Balloon News

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary; Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Aeronautics, Technology, Accidents


    Anticipates that the air will soon be as full of balloons as the sea is of ships, and accordingly appends a spoof notice of 'Ballooning Intelligence'—a list of balloon accidents in the style of 'Shipping Intelligence'.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 145.

Mysterious Disturbances in Downing Street

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Sound, Supernaturalism, Government, Politics


    Reports on strange humming noises, often accompanied by utterances of numbers, emanating from the Chancellor of the Exchequer's office. Argues that these 'acoustical phenomena' are not supernatural in origin but Benjamin Disraeli Disraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield (1804–81) ODNB
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calculating his budget aloud.



Punch,  23 (1852), 145.

A Great Balloon Case

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Anon

Genre:

Proceedings, Drollery

Subjects:

Aeronautics, Animal Behaviour, Crime, Politics, Agriculture


    Spoof trial of Benjamin Disraeli Disraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield (1804–81) ODNB
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(the Chancellor of the Exchequer), charged with harming 'a Protectionist donkey' which the accused and his allies attached to the bottom of a balloon.



Punch,  23 (1852), 146.

Some Account of My Travels

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One of the Old School One of the Old School
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Genre:

Essay, Spoof, Polemic

Subjects:

Public Health, Sanitation, Disease, Government, Statistics


    Attacks recent legislation on public health, including the Public Health Act of 1848 and the Baths and Wash-Houses Act, as threats to 'the Briton's inestimable privilege of self-government'. Expresses approval that 'Parliament Houses of Parliament
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is awake to the levelling and dangerous principles of the so-called "Sanitary-Reformers"'. Upholds the fact that in many London districts self-government flourishes and the drainage and other sanitary ideas of the reformers do not work. Rebutts reformers' sanitary ideas concerning the operation of standpipes and the location of water butts and the notions of 'that despotic and un-English body, the Commissioners of Sewers City of London Commissioners of Sewers
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' concerning ditches. Relishes the victories of the independent landlord over the commissioners and denies the use of sanitary statistics.



Punch,  23 (1852), 148.

Inconsistent Humanity

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Crime, Aeronautics

Institutions mentioned:

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
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Punch,  23 (1852), 151.

A Card.—To Epidemics in Search of a Situation

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Anon

Genre:

Advertisement, Spoof

Subjects:

Disease, Public Health, Sanitation, Manufactories


    Seeks to dispose of a number of 'Plague Walks, doing a great stroke of business', by stressing the proximity of such requisites for the 'successful prosecution of the business' as 'Patent Manure' factories and Thames water.



Punch,  23 (1852), 154.

British and Foreign Quacks

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Astrology, Charlatanry, Quackery


    Ridicules an advertisement from an 'impostor' who offers to 'cast Nativities [...] "in accordance with the purest [...] principles of science"' and who has the impudence to attack 'illiterate pretenders to the Science of Astrology'.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 155.

Death in Sport

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Ornithology

People mentioned:

J D Marshall Marshall, J D (fl. 1852) PU1/23/16/1
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Institutions mentioned:

British Association for the Advancement of Science British Association for the Advancement of Science
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Punch,  23 (1852), 157.

As Unlike as Chalk and Cheese

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Adulteration, Nutrition


    Given the frequent adulteration of milk with chalk, denies the plausibility of the expression 'as different as Chalk is from Cheese'.



Punch,  23 (1852), 157.

The Railway Nursery Rhymer

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Anon

Genre:

Essay; Song, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Accidents, Transport


    Announcing the certainty of accidents on railways, considers the railway engine to be the new infantine 'hobgoblin' and sets verses about railway accidents to the tune of several nursery rhymes.



Punch,  23 (1852), 158.

A Human Orchestra

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Sound, Human Development, Cruelty


    Describes a visit to a performance by practitioners of 'the science of ventriloquism'. So struck by the apparently painful contortions which the ventriloquists showed on their faces that it is suggested that the Animals' Friend Society Animals' Friend Society
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could have interfered for their protection.



Punch,  23 (1852), 161.

Worth any Money

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Railways, Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment


    Cynically notes that a medical man has promoted his practice by moving it to the proximity of a railway station.



Punch,  23 (1852), 163.

Atrocious Attack on a Badger

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Pugsy Cocoatop, M.D. Cocoatop, Pugsy (MD)
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Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery / Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Zoological Gardens, Medical Practitioners

People mentioned:

James Clark Clark, Sir James (1788–1870) ODNB
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    Describes Mr Punch's visit to the Zoological Society Gardens Zoological Society of London —Gardens
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, where he observed the injured badger and an ape, which turns out to be the badger's doctor. Appends a copy of the doctor's bulletin signed 'Pugsy Cocoatop, M.D.'.



Punch,  23 (1852), 164.

Agricultural Intelligence

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Agriculture, Invention, Government


    Reports on the Chancellor of the Exchequer Benjamin Disraeli's Disraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield (1804–81) ODNB
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invention of a 'Reaping Machine' which will help farmers reap the benefit of what he believes to be 'looming in the future'.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 171.

Punch on the Playhouse

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Anon

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Microscopy, Neurology


    Explains how the thought of Christmas pantomimes develops within the minds of London theatre managers. Notes that the thought begins deep within the pia mater of the brain—a region so small that 'when microscopes are brought to perfection' it will be 'shown at so much a head'.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 176.

Old Bedlam Back Again!

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Anon

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Mental Illness, Hospitals, Medical Treatment, Cruelty

People mentioned:

John Conolly Conolly, John (1794–1866) ODNB
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    Expresses shock at the evidence given to the Commissioners in Lunacy Commissioners in Lunacy
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regarding the management of patients at Hanwell Lunatic Asylum County Lunatic Asylum, Hanwell
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. Urges Peter Laurie Laurie, Sir Peter (1778–1861) ODNB
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to abandon the 'inhuman and restraint system' of treating patients.



Punch,  23 (1852), 177.

The Morisonian System of Putting out a Fire

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Vulcanology, Technology, Homeopathy


    Suggests that the continuing blaze from Mount Etna be extinguished with Mr Philip's Philips, Mr (fl. 1850) PU1/19/19/4
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'Fire Annihilator' which should be used to give doses of water in the large quantities found in successful homeopathic treatment. Believes Philips's invention will have its credibility proved by the successful extinction of the fire.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 188.

Cockersdale Chemistry

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Anon

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Chemistry, Military Technology


    Discusses the apparently awesome explosive power of a liquid prepared by a Mr Radley Radley, Mr (fl. 1852) PU1/23/19/1
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of the Cockersdale Chemical Works, Leeds Cockersdale Chemical Works, Leeds
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.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 196–7.

The Vision of St. Patrick His Purgatory

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Brian Borro Borro, Brian
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Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Religious Authority, Anti-Scientism, Scientific Practitioners, Unbelief


    Describes a visit to the 'Hall of Tongues' in 'SAINT PATRICK's Purgatory' where one speaker at a 'Monster Meeting' ridicules Isaac Newton Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) DSB
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as a 'pig-faced, ewe-neck'd brute, on whom no faith should ever take root; on whom no student e'er should pore' and asserts that Galileo Galilei Galilei, Galileo (1564–1642) DSB
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, Francis Bacon (1st Viscount St Alban) Bacon, Francis, 1st Viscount St Alban (1561–1626) DSB ODNB
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, John Locke Locke, John (1632–1704) DSB
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and William Herschel Herschel, Sir William (1738–1822) DSB ODNB
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were 'godless'.



Punch,  23 (1852), 198.

The Old English Madhouse

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Surgery, Mental Illness, Hospitals, Cruelty


    From a Daily News Daily News (1846–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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report, claims that dentistry is being practised at the Bethlehem Royal Hospital Bethlehem Royal Hospital
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by the keeper who punches patients in the face. Thinks the hospital should be rebuilt with glass, thus revealing the inhumane treatment of patients.



Punch,  23 (1852), 202.

Agricultural Abstinence

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Agriculture


    Denies that a report of a fasting squirrel is novel, since 'Distressed Agriculturalists' have 'been living on nothing for the last six years'.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 205.

Attestation of Beer

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Adulteration, Nutrition, Scientific Practitioners, Expertise


    Ridicules proprietors of bitter ale breweries for puffing their product with the support of numerous 'eminent scientific and medical men of the day', including Justus von Liebig Liebig, Justus von (1803–73) DSB
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, Thomas Graham Graham, Thomas (1805–69) DSB
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, August W von Hofmann Hofmann, August Wilhelm von (1818–92) DSB
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, and James Muspratt Muspratt, James (1793–1886) ODNB
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. Argues that Liebig is a poor judge of beer and suggests the proprietors ask instead the opinion of 'eminent agricultural and bucolic men'.



Punch,  23 (1852), 209.

Railway "Points"

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Accidents, Transport


    Baffled by the argument that railway accidents are caused by 'inattention to "Points"', suggests several 'points' which need to be found. These all involve ways of maximising inconvenience and accidents on railways. For example, a '"point" of regulating the traffic entirely by the laws of eccentric motion', and a '"point" of selecting for a "trial trip" that period of the day when the line is fullest'.



Punch,  23 (1852), 209.

Justice to Shee

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Chemistry, Heat, Controversy, Politics, Religion, Religious Authority


    Reflecting on two new Irish Catholic members of parliament, notes that 'MR. SERJEANT SHEE Shee, Sir William (1804–68) ODNB
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repudiates the doctrine of caloric evidently held by MR. LUCAS Lucas, Frederick (1812–55) ODNB
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, and denies the theory of combustion as applied to heretics'.



Punch,  23 (1852), 209.

Electricity Perverted

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Imperialism


    Reports that the submarine telegraph 'was for the first time worked on the 1st instant' but laments the fact that the message sent was to Louis Napoleon Napoleon III, Emperor of France (originally Louis Napoléon (Charles Louis Napoléon Bonaparte)) (1808–73) CBD
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. Notes that the senders of the message, the directors of the Submarine Telegraph Company Submarine Telegraph Company
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, hoped the telegraph would serve 'under the Empire', and is deeply worried that this implies a British allegiance to the French empire.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 218.

A Countryman at Cambridge

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Anon

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Adulteration, Chemistry


    Insists that beer at the University of Cambridge University of Cambridge
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is 'very good physic and bark. / Not to name a French chemist's unguarded remark', and that it abounds with substances that neither a chemist nor druggist can 'compound'.



Punch,  23 (1852), 223.

Letters of the Dead to the Living

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Anon

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Alchemy, Government, Politics, Agriculture, Political Economy, Charlatanry

People mentioned:

Kenelm Digby, Digby, Sir Kenelm (1603–65) DSB ODNB
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William Lilly Lilly, William (1602–81) ODNB
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    Subtitled 'Paracelsus Paracelsus (Theophrastus Philippus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim) (1493–1541) DSB
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the Alchemist to Benjamin Disraeli Disraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield (1804–81) ODNB
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the Financier', pursues Punch's ongoing identification of Disraeli, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as a cunning wizard. Believes Disraeli has inherited his tremendous skill at transmuting 'the base dross of Protection at will / To the Gold of Free Trade' from himself. The author traces his skill in deluding 'half Europe' to a 'long line of sages', but warns Disraeli that he has inherited some of the more dangerous qualities of these sages, including 'too fluent a speech' from Pythagoras of Samos Pythagoras of Samos (c. 560–c. 480 BC) DSB
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. Believes Disraeli has inherited 'All the tact that ever distinguished our race' and gives him much advice about economics, including promising 'vaguely, and wildly, and grandly, but still / Promise on, leaving Fortune our words to fulfil'. Compares Disraeli's financial work to that of alchemists pursuing chimeras. For example, he tells Disraeli that 'when your fine spirit racks / Its wits in preparing a budget or tax, / It recalls [...] The days when it sought the philosopher's stone', and reassures him that the spirit which enabled him to stop the 'Burgher of Lubeck' stealing his principle of making gold, can be used to defend himself against the statesmen Lord John Russell Russell, Lord John, 1st Earl Russell (1792–1878) ODNB
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and Joseph Hume Hume, Joseph (1777–1855) ODNB
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, who might accuse him of stealing their 'measure'.



Punch,  23 (1852), 225.

Small-Pox and Free-Trade Sheep

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Disease, Agriculture, Politics


    Reports on Edward Ball's Ball, Edward (1793–1865) Stenton 1976
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claim that the first free-trade sheep imported into England have been impregnated with smallpox.



Punch,  23 (1852), 225.

The National Bethlehem and its Chief

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Anon

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Mental Illness, Cruelty, Hospitals, Politics, Government, Cultural Geography


    Notes the benefits of the 'non-restraint system of treating lunatics' but allows that Peter Laurie's Laurie, Sir Peter (1778–1861) ODNB
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opposition to this method has much truth to it and that 'there are some cases in which the opposite plan alone will answer'. Describes an 'example of this sort', the 'National Bethlehem'—a representation of the French nation as a mental hospital like the Bethlehem Royal Hospital Bethlehem Royal Hospital
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. Observes that the 'deranged community possesses, in great measure, the extraordinary power of constituting its own Government', and describes the succession of directors the inmates have appointed, down to the time of their present ruler, Lewis Nap (a reference to Louis Napoleon Napoleon III, Emperor of France (originally Louis Napoléon (Charles Louis Napoléon Bonaparte)) (1808–73) CBD
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). Describes how Nap has found his disciplinary regime 'singularly well relished' and how his patients worship him as the 'Supreme Ruler'. Thinks lunatics should be allowed to 'enjoy their own management peaceably, so long as they will only leave us at peace'.



Punch,  23 (1852), 226.

The Cabinet and the Fine Arts

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Education, Institutions, Patronage, Government


    Reports on Queen Victoria's Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and Empress of India (1819–1901) ODNB
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homage to 'the claims of science' and the proposal of the Prime Minister Edward G G S Stanley (14th Earl of Derby) Stanley, Edward George Geoffrey Smith, 14th Earl of Derby (1799–1869) ODNB
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to give a pension to George Birkbeck's Birkbeck, George (1776–1841) ODNB
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widow.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 229.

Ode to the Great Sea-Serpent on his Wonderful Reappearance

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Anon

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Monstrosities, Zoology, Taxonomy, Time, Geology, Controversy


    Ponders the nature of the 'Sea-Serpent', including the possibility that it might be a 'serpent of the mind', 'a giant adder', or an enormous fish. Discussing the possible age of the serpent, asks, 'What fossil Saurians in thy time have been?' and, 'What geologic periods has thou seen, / Long as the tail thou doubtless canst unfold?'.



Punch,  23 (1852), 236.

Pleasures of Vegetarianism

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Anon

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Nutrition


    Miss Legume and another woman are dining and the latter, a vegetarian, complains that she has eaten an earwig in her salad.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 237.

The Earth-Quake Explained

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

J T, pseud.  [John Tenniel] Tenniel, Sir John (1820–1914) ODNB
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Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
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Subjects:

Geology, Telegraphy, Vulcanology


    Discusses the Limerick Chronicle's Limerick Chronicle (1766–1900+) North, 1986
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report that 'Scientific men' have linked a recent earthquake to the electric telegraph. Concludes that such a claim threatens the future of 'a system of communication so dangerous to the tranquillity of the earth'. Adds that the discontinuation of telegraph lines will please vendors of railway tickets. The illustration shows 'some tottering Trotty Veck [an allusion to the impoverished messenger in Charles Dickens's Dickens, Charles (1837–96) ODNB
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The Chimes Dickens, Charles John Huffan 1845 [1844]. The Chimes: A Goblin Story of Some Bells that Rang an Old Year Out and a New Year In, London: Chapman & Hall
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] contemplating' telegraph lines.



Punch,  23 (1852), 246.

The Great Tom (Fools) of Lincoln

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Astrology, Charlatanry


    Ridicules a Lincoln 'Professor' and 'Mathematical Projector of Zodiacal Planispheres' who makes money as a consultant addressing people's emotional, medical, and financial problems.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 255.

Professor Puffy at the Christmas Cattle-Show

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Anon

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Mesmerism, Animal Magnetism, Nutrition, Belief, Magnetism, Animal Behaviour, Comparative Philology


    Speculates on the possibility that animals 'can indulge in polite conversation' and recalls a meeting with a mesmerist 'whose OD force [...] Makes you see your stomach instead of your eyes' and who is capable of making people believe that their crude items of food are in fact of high quality. Explains how the mesmerist took him to the Baker Street cattle show where he immobilised a 'two-year-old-boar' with a glance and caused a pig to speak. The pig points out that St Anthony cured animals by 'sprinkling and stroking' and relates other myths concerning the ability of animals to speak. Adds that electro-biology is now 'spread through the land' and that the stomach has 'quite lost its relish for eating and drinking' owing to its 'new task of thinking'.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 259.

The Two Premiers

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Education, Institutions, Government, Patronage


    Reports on Foreign Secretary Lord John Russell's Russell, Lord John, 1st Earl Russell (1792–1878) ODNB
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praise for mechanics' institutes and his offer of a pension to George Birkbeck's Birkbeck, George (1776–1841) ODNB
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widow.



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Punch,  23 (1852), 270.

"Another New Planet"

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Astronomy, Discovery, Display


    Discusses the latest planetary discovery of John R Hind Hind, John Russell (1823–95) DSB
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, the 'astronomical "detective"'. Expresses pleasure that the planet, named 'THALIA', is to be included in John C Adams's Adams, John Couch (1819–92) DSB
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'"Galaxy" of attraction that shines forth in his annual Orrery'.



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