Science in the 19th Century Periodical

Punch, Or the London Charivari [1st]

Introductory Essay
Volume 36  (January to June 1859)
Punch,  36 (1859), [iii].

Physic for the Pigs

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Homeopathy


Punch,  36 (1859), [iii].

Monster Meeting

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Palaeontology, Museums


Punch,  36 (1859), [iv].

How to Find the Diameter of a Circle

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Mathematics


Punch,  36 (1859), [iv].

Carbonic Acid

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Chemistry


Punch,  36 (1859), [iv].

Pyroligneous Acid

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Chemistry


Punch,  36 (1859), [v].

Meteorology

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Meteorology


Punch,  36 (1859), [vi].

Philosophy and Flunkeyism

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Electricity, Meteorology

People mentioned:

Benjamin Franklin Franklin, Benjamin (1706–90) DSB
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Punch,  36 (1859), 2.

A Short Phrenological Examination of a Head (Commonly Known as Sir Francis)

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Phrenology, Periodicals, Cultural Geography


    Clearly an allusion to the writer Francis B Head Head, Sir Francis Bond, 1st Baronet (1793–1875) ODNB
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. Describes the 'head' in phrenological terms, stressing its highly developed faculties of vanity and self-esteem and its 'proportionately small' organs of 'facts and dates'. 'There is one organ that is extremely prononcé and forward, and as it is not an English organ, we lean to the belief that it must be a French one. For the want of a name, we will call it the Moniteur [probably an allusion to the French newspaper called the Moniteur Universel Gazette Nationale; ou, le Moniteur Universel (1789–1810) Moniteur Universel (1811–68) Journal Officiel de l'Empire Français (1869–70) Journal Officiel de la République Français (1870–1900+) BUCOP
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]'. The Moniteur is described as an organ 'so overlaid with matter, not of the healthiest description, that it has usurped the place of nearly all the intellectual faculties'.



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Punch,  36 (1859), 11.

Dr Epps's Infinitesimal Febrifuge

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Disease, Medical Treatment, Quackery, Homeopathy, Vaccination, Sanitation, Public Health


    Responds to a letter in the Daily News Daily News (1846–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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from the homeopath John Epps Epps, John (1805–69) ODNB
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, who attacks a proposal to vaccinate school children against scarlet fever and upholds the efficacy of 'a globule of belladonna' in the treatment of the disease. The writer questions the grounds for this claim, given the dubious nature of this treatment and Epps's lack of standing among 'the great majority' of the Royal College of Physicians Royal College of Physicians
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, the Royal College of Surgeons Royal College of Surgeons
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, and the Society of Apothecaries Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London
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. Alarmed by Epps's suggestion that the only treatment for scarlet fever is the consumption of his globules, rather than 'flushing of sewers [...] scouring of drains [...] abolition of filth', and other sanitary measures. Concludes by noting that most people escape the ravages of scarlet fever and that most readers will avoid Epps's treatment. Thinks that Phineas T Barnum Barnum, Phineas Taylor (1810–91) CBD
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should include Epps in his definition of 'Humbug'.



Punch,  36 (1859), 13.

Customers' Protection Circular

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Anon

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof; Announcement, Spoof

Subjects:

Adulteration, Pharmaceuticals, Commerce


Punch,  36 (1859), 18.

A Woman of Real Nerve

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Anon

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Human Species, Psychology

People mentioned:

Georges Cuvier, Cuvier, Georges (1769–1832) DSB
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Richard Owen Owen, Richard (1804–92) DSB
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Punch,  36 (1859), 20.

Ultra-Crepidators

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Anon

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Medical Practitioners, Quackery


    Discusses the use of Samuel T Coleridge's Coleridge, Samuel Taylor (1772–1834) ODNB
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term 'ultra-crepidated' to describe the tendency of people to 'make it their business to attend to everybody else's business but their own'. Regards an apothecary as an 'Ultra-crepidator' who causes mischief by 'going beyond the boundary of his pestle and mortar'.



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Punch,  36 (1859), 20.

Astrology for the Irish Blackguards

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Astrology


Punch,  36 (1859), 21.

Extraordinary Meeting of Whales

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Anon

Genre:

Proceedings, Spoof

Subjects:

Extinction, Zoology, Industry


    Describes a meeting of Arctic whales which gathered to consider 'the probability of their speedy extinction' by the use of whalebone in the manufacture of crinoline dresses and spermaceti in the preparation of ointment. The whales are particularly hostile towards Empress Eugénie Eugénie, Empress of France (1826–1920) WBI
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of France for promoting crinoline.



Punch,  36 (1859), 24.

News of the New Year

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Horticulture, Disease, Vaccination


Punch,  36 (1859), 29.

The London District Telegraph Company

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Domestic Economy


    Discusses a proposal to form a telegraph company (presumably the London District Telegraph Company London District Telegraph Company
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), which will 'bind our housetops together'.



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Punch,  36 (1859), 31.

Geological Twelfth-Cakes

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Anon

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Geology, Education, Gender


    Suggests making 'Twelthcakes' so that they 'illustrate the science of geology'. The cakes would be 'composed of strata resembling those of the earth except in their relation to the sense of taste'. Children would thus exchange cakes and geological concepts at the same time. Believes a 'geological' wedding cake would illustrate the union of husband and wife, 'the Intellectual and the Physical' respectively.



Punch,  36 (1859), 32.

A Curiosity in Medical Advertising Literature

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Commerce, Quackery, Charlatanry, Commerce, Medical Treatment, Pharmaceuticals


    Discusses an advertisement from a distinguished medical practitioner (whose name is anonymized by Punch as 'Mr. Newleaf') who describes his considerable medical training and, while confessing to frequent drunkenness, reassures his patients that 'he may now always be found at home sober'. Contrasts the honesty of this advertisement with 'most medical advertisements' and argues that since not even drunken quacks would confess to mendacity, Mr Newleaf need not fear being mistaken for a quack. Criticises other parts of his advertisement for smacking 'too much of the nature of mere puffs'. Concludes by noting Punch's policy towards medicines of 'Least taken, soonest mended'.



Punch,  36 (1859), 39.

The New Picture-Gallery

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Anon

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Quackery, Health

People mentioned:

John Parr Parr, John (fl. 1859) PU1/36/4/3
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Punch,  36 (1859), 41.

A Nice Distinction

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Light, Physiology, Politics, Disease


    Responds to a Daily News Daily News (1846–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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article which reports that bright sunlight affected the eyesight of Emperor Napoleon III Napoleon III, Emperor of France (originally Louis Napoléon (Charles Louis Napoléon Bonaparte)) (1808–73) CBD
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of France during his visit to Nice and prevented him from 'recognising his old political associates'. This response plays on the association of words such as brilliance and colour in the fields of light and politics: for example, it argues that the optical effect does not depend on the 'brilliant sun' of Italy, but on the 'sunshine of prosperity', and remembers a time when the 'colour blindness' of politicians was so acute that they could not see 'a man of any other party colour than their own'.



Punch,  36 (1859), 49.

A Guinea well Invested

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Hospitals, Patronage, Medical Treatment, Medical Practitioners, Surgery


    Upholding the importance of subscribing to hospitals, discusses the case of a London surgeon, Mr Edwards Edwards, Mr (surgeon, of Gloucester Crescent, Bayswater) (fl. 1859) PU1/36/5/2
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, who brought legal action against a gentleman named Mr Sharpe for failing to meet the costs of an operation on a man in his service. Explains that Sharpe wished he had sent his servant to St Mary's Hospital St Mary's Hospital
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, and describes the advantages of patronising a hospital rather than an individual medical practitioner.



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Punch,  36 (1859), 73.

An Example for Advertising Gents

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Quackery, Commerce, Language


    Discusses an advertisement for a lotion which claims to soften the skin. Drawing attention to the plain language of the advertisement, argues that most British quack advertisers would have used more opaque and technical words to con readers into patronising his trade.



Punch,  36 (1859), 77.

Education in the Holidays

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Harry Hopeful Hopeful, Harry
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Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Education, Mathematics, Exhibitions, Dynamics, Electrochemistry, Chemistry, Physical Geography


    The narrator describes his education while on holiday in a spoof letter to the Rev Mr Stuffem, his school master. Explains how he tried to improve his knowledge of arithmetic by studying 'figures' at Madame Tussaud's Waxworks Madame Tussaud's Waxworks
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, and then visited the Royal Polytechnic Institution Royal Polytechnic Institution
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where he saw 'lectures on the Diving Bell'. He also explored optics with 'Dissolving Views', 'Die-namics' with a 'medal-making machine', galvanism, chemistry, and geography.



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Punch,  36 (1859), 87.

A Good Joke in a Law Court!

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Homeopathy, Medical Treatment, Government, Politics


    Discusses the revelation by the radical politician Thomas S Duncombe Duncombe, Thomas Slingsby (1796–1861) ODNB
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that he had conversed with Thomas Egerton (2nd Earl of Wilton) Egerton (formerly Grosvenor), Thomas, 2nd Earl of Wilton (1799–1882) WBI
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about racing and homeopathy, rather than the government's Reform Bill. Considers this claim to be 'irresistibly facetious' and stresses that 'It is in everybody's mouth that the government Reform Bill will most likely be the most infinitesimal of measures, and in any conversation upon matters homeopathic the globule which LORD DERBY Stanley, Edward George Geoffrey Smith, 14th Earl of Derby (1799–1869) ODNB
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is concocting must be mentioned'.



Punch,  36 (1859), 87.

The Battle of Quackery

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Quackery, Medical Treatment, Commerce


Punch,  36 (1859), 87.

The Ill-used Homeopathists

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Homeopathy, Medical Treatment, Quackery, Proof, Mesmerism, Spiritualism, Charlatanry


    Explains that in the letters which Mr Punch receives defending homeopathy, 'allopathist' is used to describe an opponent of homeopathy who seeks to cure 'unlike with unlike'. Points out that most medical practitioners attempt to remove 'impediments to the natural process of recovery' rather than treat diseases by asking patients to swallow 'specific medicines', which have only an indirect effect on the disease. Speculates on the possible allopathic status of the pills sold by Thomas Holloway Holloway, Thomas (1800–83) ODNB
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and other advertising quacks, but suggests that 'the ordinary practice of physic' rests on the homeopathic principle of 'like cures like'. Argues that no cases of homeopathic cures are supported by 'scientific proof that infinitesimal globules produce any other than infinitesimal effects', and that 'immense clouds of cases' are needed to supply this proof. Questions whether quinine, a well-known 'remedy for ague', can, in infinitesimal doses, work on homeopathic principles. Concludes by attacking homeopaths, mesmerists, and spiritualists for failing to provide the 'experimentum crucis' for their claims and comparing themselves to the persecuted Galileo Galilei Galilei, Galileo (1564–1642) DSB
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.



Punch,  36 (1859), 90.

Mr Punch and the Talking Fish.—Authentic Narrative

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery; Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Zoology, Natural History, Taxonomy, Monstrosities


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Punch,  36 (1859), 91.

The Best Sewing-Machine

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Anon

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Domestic Economy, Machinery, Technology, Gender


    Gives a number of reasons why 'the very best Sewing-Machine that a man can have is a Wife', most of which stress the efficiency, quietness, and industry of a woman seamstress when compared with the troublesome and noisy sewing machine which needs constant supervision. Identifies variations in human sewing machines, pointing out that the husband may be fortunate in picking a wife who 'seems to be never so happy as when the husband's linen is in hand'.



Punch,  36 (1859), 93.

Professor Owen on Barnum

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Palaeontology, Display, Charlatanry, Monstrosities, Amusement


    Discusses a recent lecture given by Richard Owen Owen, Richard (1804–92) DSB
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at the Royal Institution Royal Institution of Great Britain
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(possibly Owen 1858–62 Owen, Richard 1858–62. 'Summary of the Succession in Time and Geographical Distribution of Recent and Fossil Mammals', Proceedings of the Royal Institution of Great Britain, 3, 174–189
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). Stresses Owen's mention of the discovery of the remains of a whale-like creature in middle Tertiary strata in America. Notes that the discovery was made by an American fossil-hunter, Mr Cooke Cooke, Mr (American fossil-hunter) (fl. 1859) PU1/36/9/2
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, whose skeleton of an immense fossil had been displayed by Phineas T Barnum Barnum, Phineas Taylor (1810–91) CBD
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in London and which later proved to be composed of three mastodon skeletons. Adds that Owen had still urged Mr Cooke to continue his fossil-hunting activities despite the fact that he was 'a practitioner of humbug', and that the American fossil-hunter had continued to prove a 'pupil of BARNUM' because he built a skeleton of the sea serpent. Argues that although Barnum's exhibit of a fictional monster with an apparently convincing Greek name is 'genuine Humbug', the construction of a fictional animal 'out of the bones of several other real ones' is 'too coarse to be called humbug'.



Punch,  36 (1859), 97.

The Armstrong Testimonial

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Spoof

Subjects:

Military Technology, War, Invention, Engineers, Patronage, Societies


    Discusses the production of an 'elegant work of art in silver' putatively intended by the Peace Society Peace Society
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as 'a testimonial to SIR W. ARMSTRONG Armstrong, Sir William George, Baron Armstrong of Cragside (1810–1900) ODNB
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' for inventing 'the wonderful gun, from the mouth of which have proceeded the strongest arguments that have ever as yet been advanced to disarm an adversary'.



Punch,  36 (1859), 100.

Our Future Staff

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Anon

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

War, Education, Mathematics


    Depicts a 'rather heavy Dragoon' who, while sitting on his horse, asks a 'Gifted Member' of a military staff college, what he should do. The 'Gifted Member' then rattles off a long list of the esoteric mathematical topics he has to study.



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Punch,  36 (1859), 101.

The Most Useful form of "Bray's Bray's Traction Engine Company
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Traction-Engine"

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Anon

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Steam-power, Machinery


Punch,  36 (1859), 102.

"'Tis a Wise Child that Knows its own Father"

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Patronage, Military Technology, Engineers


    Noting that heraldic writers used to describe 'Men newly raised to honours' as 'sons of their works', wonders whether William G Armstrong Armstrong, Sir William George, Baron Armstrong of Cragside (1810–1900) ODNB
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(who has just been knighted) will 'take it as an offence to be styled "son of a gun"'.



Punch,  36 (1859), 103.

Companions in Captivity

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoological Gardens, Zoology, Analogy, Politics


    Following a Morning Post Morning Post and Daily Advertising Pamphlet (1772–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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report of David W Mitchell's Mitchell, David William (1813–59) WBI
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new display of 'birds and beasts' for Emperor Napoleon III Napoleon III, Emperor of France (originally Louis Napoléon (Charles Louis Napoléon Bonaparte)) (1808–73) CBD
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of France, anticipates the time when the emperor will be able to tame and cage 'the British Lion, the Russian Bear, and the Prussian and Austrian Vultures'. Developing the analogy between French politics and certain vicious animals, adds that the emperor wants to cage the 'Gallic Eagle' and that his collection will include 'Kites which the Imperial entourage is in the habit of flying, and the Buzzards who entrusted LOUIS NAPOLEON with the task of saving society'.



Punch,  36 (1859), 103.

Railway Compensation

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Accidents


Punch,  36 (1859), 104.

Phoebus in a Flask

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Light, Photography, Invention


    Discusses the successful attempt by Claude F A N de Saint-Victor Saint-Victor, Claude Fèlix Abel Niepce de (1805–70) WBI
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to capture sunshine 'in a bottle' and then photograph it. Expects that this will be followed by advertisements for sunbeams and insists that the argument that Saint-Victor's trapped sunshine is 'moonshine' is undermined by Charles Wheatstone's Wheatstone, Charles (1802–75) DSB
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demonstration that sunshine blackens sensitive paper.



Punch,  36 (1859), 108.

A Prophetic Shot at Long-range

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Engineers, Invention, Military Technology, Patronage, Heroism


    Argues that 'an insane Shakesperian student' insists that William G Armstrong's Armstrong, Sir William George, Baron Armstrong of Cragside (1810–1900) ODNB
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knighthood is 'foreshadowed' in the Bard's lines, 'It is the sport to see the Engineer / Hoist with his own petard—'.



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Punch,  36 (1859), 112–13.

Punch's Essence of Parliament

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Anon

Genre:

Regular Feature, Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Vaccination, Patronage, Government


    Reports that the House of Lords House of Lords
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'paid a tribute to DR. JENNER Jenner, Edward (1749–1823) DSB
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, by getting up a vaccination debate' in which 'all hands' proclaimed his system. Notes that 'real reformers' such as Jenner only 'receive homage when they are in dust' while 'Sham ones are shouted for while they live'. (112)



Punch,  36 (1859), 113.

A New Style of Puffing

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Quackery, Medical Treatment, Commerce


    Discusses the advertisement of a 'Preston Quack' for cough lozenges that use the powers of 'concentrated sea air'. Thinks the advertiser must consider the public to be 'Gulls' to 'swallow this' and that those who do will probably suffer from 'sea-sickness'.



Punch,  36 (1859), 118.

Peculiar Animal Polarity

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A Student of Common Things Student of Common Things, A
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Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Instinct


Punch,  36 (1859), 120.

Mysteries Above and Below

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoology, Palaeontology, Animal Behaviour, Charlatanry, Astronomy, Homeopathy, Belief


    Noting that fish which apparently fell from the sky during a shower in Wales have been sent to Richard Owen Owen, Richard (1804–92) DSB
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, discusses the comparative anatomist's recent lecture on fossil mammalia at the Royal Institution Royal Institution of Great Britain
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. Draws attention to Owen's observation of the huge quantities of fossils along the red crag of Norfolk, and concludes that this region must have been inhabited by a 'prodigious' number of 'wild beasts' which were 'very thick with each other'. Considers this notion of a 'large flock of huge and ferocious animals' to be as improbable as the fish which fell from the sky from what appears to be the moon or the stars. Concludes by seeking assurances that the 'fish-shower' is not a hoax, and points out that once this is believed then so will the powers of homeopathy.



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Punch,  36 (1859), 121–22.

Punch's Essence of Parliament

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Anon

Genre:

Regular Feature, Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Steamships, Pharmaceuticals, Politics


Punch,  36 (1859), 123.

Look Out Ahead!

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Anon

Genre:

Introduction; Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Military Technology, War, Futurism


    Reflecting on William G Armstrong's Armstrong, Sir William George, Baron Armstrong of Cragside (1810–1900) ODNB
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long-range gun, and a 'Mr. Somebody's' invention of a machine for 'suffocating one's enemies with a black sulphurous smoke', imagines a report in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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of an Anglo-French battle in 1959 which includes such British inventions as a 'pocket' Armstrong gun capable of firing shot to 'two hundred and four miles, seventeen hundred times in one minute', 'seven-and-twenty double Leviathans SS Leviathan
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, built for the transport of troops [...] armed with the patent self-acting, self-loading, self-aiming, and self cleaning-gun', and a 'noxious smoke producing machine'.



Punch,  36 (1859), 128.

What May be Done in Fifty Years

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Technology, Invention, Progress, Futurism


    Disputes the claim made by an 'American paper' that the 'inventions and discoveries' of the first half of the nineteenth century will be more important than those in the second half. While the first half witnessed such inventions as 'Punch, Steamers, railways and the electric telegraph', the second saw the production of 'Crinoline, all-round collars, peg-toptrousers' and other apparently insignificant innovations. Confident that the next forty years might see the birth of a 'genius' who will perform such feats as setting the Thames on fire.



Punch,  36 (1859), 128–29.

The Donkey's Medical Guide

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Quackery, Medical Treatment, Medical Practitioners, Disease, Commerce, Periodicals


    Ridicules an advertisement in the North British Advertiser North British Advertiser (1826–1900+) BUCOP
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for James Greer's Greer, James (purveyor of vegetable pills, of Glasgow) (fl. 1858–59) PU1/35/1/7, PU1/36/12/4
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miraculous pills, directed to ignorant Scotsmen. Notes that the treatment is supported by the case of William Shaw, who claimed that his debilitating and potentially fatal illnesses were cured by taking Greer's pills, but Punch considers Shaw's case to be 'emphysema, or windy swelling, of that species in which the patient assumes the character of a human puff'. Goes on to attack a Morning Post Morning Post and Daily Advertising Pamphlet (1772–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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advertisement for Thomas Holloway's Holloway, Thomas (1800–83) ODNB
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pills and ointments. Agrees with the advertisement that the treatments are 'incomparable', but in the sense that 'medicines that cannot be compared to any that are good for anything', and argues that these medicines 'subjugate entirely without demanding of the patient the knowledge that he has even anything the matter with him'. (128) Notes the claim that 'no organ in the body can long resist the combined action of these remedies', but that neither can any organ resist the effect of 'prussic acid and arsenic'. Concludes by criticizing the Morning Post for providing an 'organ' for Thomas Holloway. (128–29)



Punch,  36 (1859), 130.

Lilliputain Pills

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Education, Homeopathy, Medical Treatment, Quackery, Disease, Physiology


    Begins by noting that in response to a correspondent's invitation to study homeopathy, Mr Punch argued that the correspondent should study 'Anatomy, Physiology, and the nature of diseases' and thus appreciate that 'healing disease' by 'removing impediments out of nature's way' is 'ascertained science'. Upholding the principle that 'Infinitesimal Quantities produce Infinitesimal Effects', argues that 'bleeding and drenching' are far more effective than homeopathy, and that the 'certain number of diseases' which 'will get well if let alone' correspond to those cases claimed as victories for homeopathy. Concludes by asking whether homeopathy will cure such drastic medical conditions as a broken leg or cause such dramatic physiological effects as making an active gland secrete.



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Punch,  36 (1859), 139.

Official Secrecy

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Experiment, Periodicals


    Discusses a Morning Post Morning Post and Daily Advertising Pamphlet (1772–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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article describing the secrecy surrounding the Royal Arsenal Royal Arsenal, Woolwich
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trials of William G Armstrong's Armstrong, Sir William George, Baron Armstrong of Cragside (1810–1900) ODNB
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gun, the 'secret' of which was 'sold by two malcontents to the Governments of France and America', and circulated among various British newspapers. Likens the precautions used to protect the weapon to locking the stable door after the horse has been abducted.



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Punch,  36 (1859), 142.

Kitchen and Parlour Magic

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Mesmerism, Astrology, Class


    Responding to advertisements placed by Adolphe Didier Didier, Adolphe (fl. 1856–71) WBI
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('the Somnambule') for mesmeric seances, and others placed by E A Libna Libna, E A (of Upper Bangor, Wales (fl. 1859) PU1/36/14/1
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of Upper Bangor, Wales, for astrological works, considers that such advertisements may be aimed at footmen as well as aristocrats.



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Punch,  36 (1859), 152.

A Disinterested Inquirer

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Physiology, Mathematics, Measurement


    Discusses a report of a 'German savant' who calculated the number of hairs on the heads of four people. Notes that 'unless all the four heads were of the same size, it would be impossible to draw any conclusion, from the relative numbers of the hairs of each'.



Punch,  36 (1859), 152.

A "Duck of a Doctor"

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Quackery


    'Generally, a Quack'.



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Punch,  36 (1859), 168.

Bell's Pictorial Life in London

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Anon

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Representation, Exhibitions, Natural History, Amusement

People mentioned:

George Wombwell Wombwell, George (1777–1850) ODNB
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Institutions mentioned:

Zoological Society Gardens, Zoological Society of London —Gardens
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Jardin des Plantes, Paris Jardin des Plantes, Paris
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    Discusses Jacob Bell's Bell, Jacob (1810–59) ODNB
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exhibition of sporting pictures at the Marylebone Institute Marylebone Institute
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. Regards the exhibition as a 'pictorial menagerie', the animals in which will give pleasure to boys. Considers the pictures to be better than zoological gardens, because animals on canvas live without making noises and smells, and are free to roam.



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Punch,  36 (1859), 187.

Punch's Election Intelligence

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Anon

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Creationism, Freethought, Religious Authority, Politics


    With the general election imminent, this report summarises the prospects of candidates for various constituencies. The candidate for Nag's Barstock, Sir Crucible Lute, is 'considered safe', although his paper delivered at the meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science British Association for the Advancement of Science
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expressing 'some doubt whether we had sufficiently studied the Mosaic account of Creation [...] has given great offence to the clergy', and led to Lute being called an atheist.



Punch,  36 (1859), 190.

Parliamentary Minutes

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Time, Technology


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Punch,  36 (1859), 192.

Lament by a True Blue M.P. (Touching the State of the Clock and the State of the Parties)

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Anon

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Time, Technology, Politics


    Laments the stopping of the clock of the Palace of Westminster Palace of Westminster
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(Big Ben Big Ben
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) and its effect on statesmen.



Punch,  36 (1859), 193.

The Cure for the King of Naples

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Quackery, Patronage, Politics


    Discusses the apparent ability of King Ferdinand II Ferdinand II, King of the Two Sicilies (1810–59) CBD
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of the Two Sicilies to survive deadly diseases, as well as to recover from an operation conducted by a 'bungling surgeon' and from being blistered by a quack. Considers him to be an ideal patient for Thomas Holloway Holloway, Thomas (1800–83) ODNB
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, if the latter could 'get the ailing tyrant to swallow his pills'. Points out that the king would be as important a patron for Holloway as the late Mason G Stratford (5th Earl of Aldborough) Stratford, Mason Gerard, 5th Earl of Aldborough (1784–1849) Cokayne 1910-59
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.



Punch,  36 (1859), 198.

The New Eccaleobion, or Duck-Hatching Machine

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Anon

Genre:

Announcement, Spoof

Subjects:

Breeding, Ornithology, Technology, Invention, Telegraphy, Error


    In a punning conflation of the use of heated instruments for hatching eggs and the adoption of telegraphy by news agencies, announces the invention, by 'MESSRS. REUTER Reuter, Paul Julius Freiherr von (1816–99) CBD
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, HAVAS Havas, Charles (1785–1858) WBI
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, AND COMPANY', of a 'gigantic Eccaleobion'—an electrically powered machine that mass-produces 'ducks', especially the French 'canard' [i.e. hoax or false report].



Punch,  36 (1859), 200.

The Enfield Rifle

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Anon

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Military Technology, War, Invention


    Reflects on the days (notably during the Napoleonic Wars) when the British soldier had to fight with the 'Brown Bess'—'not a gun / For shooting to depend on', although its bayonet proved effective and its name 'struck terror'. Hopes that with the Enfield rifle, 'English Riflemen succeed / In place of English bowmen', and will protect 'Old England'. Wishes 'Good speed' to the invention.



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Punch,  36 (1859), 202–203.

The Two Breakfasts

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Anon

Genre:

Drama, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Instruments, Sound


    In the second of two scenes comparing two families at breakfast, Mr Jones explains to his wife that auscultation 'is the method of distinguishing the states of health and disease by the study of the sounds produced by the organs in performing their functions'. He adds that the technique uses a stethoscope. (203)



Punch,  36 (1859), 209.

The Armstrong Insecticide

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, War


    Discusses a speech made by William G Armstrong Armstrong, Sir William George, Baron Armstrong of Cragside (1810–1900) ODNB
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at a banquet held in his honour. Notes that Armstrong explained the construction and capabilities of the Armstrong gun and proceeded to describe how, on being fired from his gun, his cast-iron lead coated shell produced fan-shaped explosions, scattering pieces of metal of different sizes and shapes. Punch thinks the shape and size of the explosion suggests that the weapon is meant to be used for killing 'those foreign vermin' that 'might attempt to make a descent on our coasts'. Proceeds to note Armstrong's distinction between shells that could strike distant targets in hundreds of places from those that underwent a more confined explosion and were suitable for 'breaching purposes'. Punch insists that, at a moderate range, the Armstrong gun can be used to destroy fleas but also the 'Glory-bug' in its appearance on its own or in swarms. Concludes by noting that with the 'Armstrong Insecticide', humans can fight insects on equal terms—mass destruction, and by wishing success to Armstrong's 'experimental researches' on bug destruction.



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Punch,  36 (1859), 222.

Punch on Party Colours

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Anon

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Light, Politics


    Announces that while Michel E Chevreul Chevreul, Michel Eugène (1786–1889) DSB
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has been writing a work with the English title of The Laws of Contrast of Colour, and their Application to the Arts (see Chevreul 1857 Chevreul, Michel Eugène 1857. The Laws of Contrast of Colour: And their Application to the Arts of Painting, Decoration of Buildings, Mosaic Work, Tapestry and Carpet Weaving, Calico Printing, Dress, Paper Staining, Printing, Illumination, Landscape and Flower Gardening, etc, trans. by John Spanton, London: G. Routledge & Co.
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), Mr Punch has been completing a similar work—'On the Contrast of Party Colours, and their Application to the Electioneering Arts'. Accordingly, Punch uses Chevreul's work to interpret recent political events: for example, following Chevreul's research on the 'instability' of grey dyes, Punch notes that Mr Punch agrees that there is a 'political "instability of the Greys"' (an allusion to the distinguished family of Liberal peers). Similiarly, following Chevreul's observation that all colours are composed of combinations of the three primary colours, Punch notes that 'the various shades' of party colour are made up from the primary 'colours' of Tory, Whig, and Radical, and that the principle of complementarity also applies to politics. Mr Punch gives a political interpretation to Chevreul's claim that prolonged observation of one colour increases one's sensitivity to the complementary colour, and that all objects will be tinted by this latter colour. On this basis, Mr Punch claims that 'he who looks on party colours with the eye of an observer "acquires an aptitude" for seeing of what shades they are composed, and may moreover see that any party politician is likely to be "influenced in his appreciation of all objects" by the colour of the party by which they are pursued'.



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Punch,  36 (1859), 235.

Preventable Diseases

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Disease, Gender


    Laments the 'number of deaths that annually occur' among women wearing 'tight stays and thin shoes'. Adds that the 'Family Doctor has not two better friends in the world than the lady's Shoemaker and Corset-maker'.



Punch,  36 (1859), 242.

Vive la Ligne!

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, War


    Believes the war between France and Austria is being fought out with telegrams as well as by other means. Observes that 'the telegraph can boast of a far greater number of killed and wounded' since, 'by its irresistible agency, a whole army has been known to be destroyed in a minute'. Suggests that France and Austria fight their war in the telegraph office.



Punch,  36 (1859), 243.

Naturalist and Philosopher

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Anon

Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Meteorology, Electricity, Natural History, Collecting


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Punch,  36 (1859), 248.

The Common Lot and Wimbledon Common

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Environmentalism, Utility, Government


    Discusses a Surrey Comet Surrey Comet (1854–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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report of the proposed closure of Wimbledon Common Wimbledon Common
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. Thinks this would be a 'deplorable event', not least because it furnishes weeds, beetles, butterflies, and rare birds for the enjoyment of botanists, entomologists, and ornithologists. Concludes by hoping that a 'brutal utilitarian' will not convert 'the whole of beautiful England into a hot-bed whereon to raise crops of human beings' and urges the House of Commons House of Commons
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to protect Wimbledon Common.



Punch,  36 (1859), 252–53.

Physiognomical Notes on the Portraits at the Royal Academy Royal Academy of Arts
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Anon

Genre:

Reportage, Drollery

Subjects:

Physiognomy, Phrenology


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Punch,  36 (1859), 255.

Food Without Filth

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Adulteration, Nutrition, Analytical Chemistry, Politics


    Discusses William Scholefield's Scholefield, William (1809–67) ODNB
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parliamentary bill for preventing the adulteration of food and drink.



Punch,  36 (1859), 257.

Euclid made Easy

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Mathematics, Universities, Education, Amusement


    Discusses a remark of James J Sylvester Sylvester, James Joseph (1814–97) DSB
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, made at King's College, Cambridge King's College, Cambridge
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, that Gaspard Monge Monge, Gaspard (1746–1818) DSB
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could make a 'complex geometrical figure' more intelligible by a 'turn of the wrist' and 'shrug of the shoulders'. Imagines the hilarious faces that could be pulled to show abstruse geometrical figures and suggests that Cambridge professors could teach Euclid Euclid (fl. 295 BC) DSB
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and other aspects of mathematics by pulling faces.



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