Politics, Government, Disease, Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Morality, Crime
Discusses the activities of Alexander O'DriscollO'Driscoll, Alexander
(fl. 1844)
WBI CloseView the register entry >>, 'a gentleman of exceeding bad health, and with a temper to match', who was 'removed by Ministers from the magistracy'. Reports that O'Driscoll has now been reinstated as a magistrate, partly on the grounds that the 'bodily ailment' that prevented him from undertaking his duties has now been 'amended'. Denies that it objects to the 'charitable construction of the causes of human infirmity', and hails it as 'increasing philosophy'. Believes it illustrates the fact that Robert PeelPeel, Sir Robert, 2nd Baronet
(1788–1850)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> 'was called in as a "Doctor" to watch over the condition of the state'. Wonders why Daniel O'ConnellO'Connell, Daniel
(1775–1847)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >>, James R G GrahamGraham, Sir James Robert George, 2nd
Baronet
(1792–1861)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >>, and other statesmen appeal to bodily ailments as excuses for their dubious political activities. Charitable indulgence, the author believes, should be exacted 'for all parties'. Concludes by suggesting that ' a certain number of physicians should be appointed to sit with the judges' and should ask the accused to show his tongue rather than plead his guilt or innocence.
Begins by complaining of the 'horrid row' caused by the steam-locomotives that pass the railway line built next to the cottage in which he tries to enjoy 'Bliss' and his young wife, Betsy. Laments the fact that the noise 'Always drowns' songs sung by his wife, and that the vibrations of the machine causes his crockery to 'reel' and his whole house to shake. In conclusion, he yearns for 'some sequester'd spot, / Far from stokers and from steam', where he can enjoy marital bliss.
Reports on the 'application of the Electro-Magnetic Telegraph to the Great Western RailwayGreat Western Railway Company
CloseView the register entry >>'. Notes that the line is connected to such places as 'Wormwood Scrubs, Kensington, Warwick Square and Paddington Canal'. States that 'it's been all play and no work' on the line and illustrates the banality of this communication by specimen messages: for example, 'Kensington, 7.20. A.M. Has the policeman finished his breakfast? No answer. Kensington, 11 A.M., How are you? Wormwood Scrubs, 11.5 A.M. Tol lollish'.
Written by Punch's 'astronomer', the article describes the author's attempt to improve upon the efforts of James SouthSouth, James
(1785–1867)
DSB CloseView the register entry >>, who told The TimesThe Times
(1777–1900+)
Waterloo
Directory CloseView the register entry >> that he had only 'seen the comet for a fraction of a second, but could make no observation of it'. With an eye-glass in hand, the author gets drunk on wine and the 'dazzled' state of his vision induces him to conclude that he had seen the comet and can thus support South's claims.
The letter by Brougham (an allusion to Henry P Brougham (1st Baron Brougham and Vaux)Brougham, Henry Peter, 1st Baron Brougham and
Vaux
(1778–1868)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >>) includes an explanation of 'Captain Warner'sWarner, Samuel Alfred
(1793/4–1853)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >>' method of blowing up ships. Explains that the explosion was caused by 'something that floated up to the ship which pulled a trigger'—a 'trick' which, in Brougham's opinion, anybody could do. Explains the complex chemical reactions causing the explosion on board ship and insists that the feat was 'a semi-optical delusion' rather than a 'great truth in science'.
Reports on classes on agricultural chemistry held in Hampshire. Attaches a report of one lesson written in a parody of the West Country dialect. Examples of the statements made in the lesson include, 'An atom is a mossel o'zummut; a bit o' dust or zand, loike', 'Soda is stuff as washerwomen uses. Ammonia is one o' them fine names as your gentlefolks gives their daaters', and 'Chemical Affinity, Attraction, Cohesion, Composition, Decomposition, Analysis, Synthesis, is a parcel of outlandish gibberish'. The reporter adds that the latter statements 'exhibit some slight discrepancy with the views of FaradayFaraday, Michael
(1791–1867)
DSB CloseView the register entry >>'.
Reports that a passenger on board an omnibus observed that 'lightning was scarcely visible in consequence of the conductor having stepped inside', and that on the same day three dinner-party guests were 'laid prostrate' by 'a sort of fluid [...] with which they had charged their glasses'.
Describes an 'exceedingly unsatisfactory' visit of a Punch correspondent to the show. He was so affected by the noise that he was 'unable to remember anything' and found the 'agricultural implements' to be 'completely beyond [...] comprehension'.
Responds to news that a schoolmaster is teaching by illustrating silk handkerchiefs with the '"great facts" in reading, writing, or arithmetic' and 'science of every description'. Notes that some were worried that applying pocket handkerchiefs to science would deal it 'a very severe blow' but adds that the 'public are easily led by the nose'. Relishes the fact that the educational 'experiment is to be tried' and describes the geography and arithmetic handkerchiefs. The illustration depicts the statesman Henry P Brougham (1st Baron Brougham and Vaux)Brougham, Henry Peter, 1st Baron Brougham and
Vaux
(1778–1868)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> standing in front of a group of children whilst pointing to one of the inscribed handkerchiefs.
Reports on the sorry state of Punch's spoof 'Kensington and Wormwood Scrubs Little Western and No-Junction Railway'. The railway clerk is impressed with his position at a 'private station', a reflection of poor public interest in the line. Notes that the directors of the company are contemplating allowing the public to hire carriages 'at any particular hour'.
Contrasts the migrating habits of Italian singing birds with those of martins and swallows. A description of habitats, physical features, and singing qualities of individual birds reveals that the 'birds' are in fact Italian opera singers.
Reports that the wires of the 'Electro-Telegraph' are to be 'tuned' so that they can produce musical notes. Provides the lyrics for a 'duet between the Kensington and the Great WesternGreat Western Railway Company
CloseView the register entry >> Railways'. In the duet, 'Kensington' complains of its failure to make it as a railway enterprise, while 'Great Western' boasts of its technological and commercial success.
Reports that 'maritime geniuses', driven by the prospect of considerable remuneration, have started working on economical schemes for blowing up ships. Punch suggests that if money is to be given to 'explosive' inventors then they should get paid to 'blow-up that crazy old funny', the statesman Henry P Brougham (1st Baron Brougham and Vaux)Brougham, Henry Peter, 1st Baron Brougham and
Vaux
(1778–1868)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >>.
Reponding to the fledgling Club des InventeursClub des Inventeurs, Paris CloseView the register entry >> in Paris, proposes that a prize be awarded to 'the person who discovers an article in the French press that is written with the least good feeling towards England'.
Medical Treatment, Mesmerism, Quackery, Politics, Government
Responds to the Home Secretary James R G Graham'sGraham, Sir James Robert George, 2nd
Baronet
(1792–1861)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> discussion in ParliamentHouses of Parliament
CloseView the register entry >> of medical quackery. Rephrases an extract from Graham's speech so that he claims that given the revenue 'derived by Government from the duty on quack medicines' it is not surprising that 'Ministers should uphold quackery'. Challenges Graham's belief that the act of being imposed on by medical quacks is pleasurable, and laments Graham's toleration of quackery.
In a letter from 'A Maiden Aunt to a Niece, on the Imprudence of Marriage', Dragonmouth compares the insignificance of the wife who is studious of domestic affairs to 'the nobler woman' who knows all about astronomy. Considers the 'smallness of the wedding-ring' insulting to the 'greatness of the female mind', especially when the woman can 'own' Saturn's ring 'with no incumbrance to Saturn himself'. Upholding geology as an elevating pursuit for women, she adds that 'what really great woman would study the mere heart of a mere man, when she might discover fossil shrimps and caterpillars in marble'. Concludes with a similar argument about botany.
In a reply to her aunt's letter [Lucretia Dragonmouth, 'Punch's Complete Letter-Writer: Letter 15: From a Maiden Aunt to a Niece, on the Imprudence of Marriage', Punch, 7 (1844), 88], 'Claribel' appreciates the benefits of astronomy, geology, and botany but compares the subjects of these scientific pursuits ('the Great and Little Bear', 'feldspar and quartz') to the beautiful qualities of her lover, Alfred. (88)
Describes a visit to the royal beehives, to which the author was invited by Prince AlbertAlbert [Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha],
prince consort, consort of Queen Victoria
(1819–61)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >>. Noting the 'political principles' on which the beehives are formed and the 'outward resemblance' between working-bees and 'British mechanics', explains how the bees are only allowed enough honey to sustain themselves, and thus 'pay a very large property-tax' but do not suffer like 'their fellow-subjects' (presumably British mechanics). Anticipates the 'wholesome social and political lesson' conveyed by the hives to Edward, Prince of WalesEdward VII, King of Great Britain and Ireland and
of the British Dominions Beyond the Seas, Emperor of India
(1841–1910)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >>.
Shows Prince AlbertAlbert [Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha],
prince consort, consort of Queen Victoria
(1819–61)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> and Queen VictoriaVictoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, and Empress of India
(1819–1901)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> inspecting some large bee hives in what appear to be Royal gardens. The bee-hive closest to the reader, however, contains tiny artisans, all of whom are seen performing their labours. The caption notes, from a 'Morning Paper', that 'These Hives are so constructed, that the HONEY may be removed without DESTROYING THE BEES'.
Suggestions for the organisation of the imminent 'College of AgricultureRoyal Agricultural College, Cirencester CloseView the register entry >>'. These include professorial chairs in such subjects as 'new-laid eggs', lectures on 'the philosophy of making hay while the sun shines', degrees of 'Bachelors of Barley', and examination questions such as 'Find the square root of a stick of horse radish'.
Anthropology, Ethnology, Race, Exhibitions, Politics, Human Development, Medical Treatment, Medical Practitioners, Class
Reports on an 'agreeable incident' that 'powerfully supports' George Jones'sJones, George
(1810–79)
COPAC CloseView the register entry >> theory (articulated in Jones 1843Jones, George
1843. The History of Ancient America, Anterior to the time of Columbus:
Proving the Identity of the Aborigines with the Tyrians and the Israelites; and
the Introduction of Christianity into the Western Hemisphere by the Apostle St.
Thomas, London: Longman [and 3 others]
CloseView the register entry >>) 'that the Red Men [of the Americas] are no other than the descendants of the lost tribe of Israel'. Adds that 'Young England—it is proved by Young BENDisraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield
(1804–81)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >>—is also a section of the wandered race'. Describes how the Ioway Indians, then being exhibited at the Egyptian HallEgyptian Hall, Piccadilly CloseView the register entry >>, visited the Grosvenor Gate residence of the spirit of 'Young England', Benjamin Disraeli. Insists that the real object of the visit was 'to fraternise, as the remnant of the tribe of Israel, with Young England', and to admit Disraeli and other 'illustrious spirits of the regenerating party, as brothers of the tribe'. Notes how a 'suitable oration' was delivered by 'the Medicine Man, how excited the Indians became on seeing the ball-cock in Disraeli's kitchen, and how the 'Medicine Man' 'cured most of his patients' by immersing them in the cold water in Disraeli's kitchen. Concludes by reminding Disraeli that 'there are thousands of darkened souls in London, equally ignorant of that Paradise, Grosevnor-Gate, as his guests the Red Indians'.
Government, Politics, Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Cultural Geography
Anticipates that, with the passage of James R G Graham'sGraham, Sir James Robert George, 2nd
Baronet
(1792–1861)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> medical bill, 'Doctors will spring up among us as they do in America'. Relates a joke describing an Englishman who lived in Boston and was shocked to learn that his doctor had been a bookbinder only two years previously.
Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Animal Magnetism, Mesmerism, Homeopathy, Charlatanry, Education
Punch's 'plan of the Council of Health and Medical Education'. The plans include: having 'different patent medicine vendors', 'advertising surgeons', and 'itinerant lecturers upon Animal Magnetism' on the council; setting examination questions that test the 'ability of the candidates to concoct puffs and posters'; establishing professorships in such subjects as 'Universal Medicine' and 'Homeopathy and Humbug'; and having lectures on such subjects as 'On Nervous and Mental Complaints; with the Cure for Benevolence rather than Gain'.
Following Punch's last treatment of this subject (Anon, 'The Ioways—"The Lost Tribe"—And Young England', Punch, 7 (1844), 95), this explains the theory of George JonesJones, George
(1810–79)
COPAC CloseView the register entry >> that the Ioways (an American Indian tribe, some of whom were then on show at the Egyptian HallEgyptian Hall, Piccadilly CloseView the register entry >>) are the 'descendants of the lost tribe of Israel'. Reports that they visited Benjamin DisraeliDisraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield
(1804–81)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >>, the 'champion of all the tribes of the Hebrews'. Explains that the event is considered 'worthy of immortality on our pages' and that an illustration is included representing the moment when Disraeli 'drew his first puff at the calumet of peace—surrounded by the Ioways, their squaws and papooses'.
Wonders whether Godfrey of BouillonGodfrey of Bouillon
(c. 1060–1100)
CBD CloseView the register entry >> and King Richard IRichard I, King of England, Duke of Normandy and of Aquitaine,
and Count of Anjou ('Richard Coeur de Lion')
(1157–99)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> could have imagined a journey to the Holy Land by steam. Continues with examples of the rough language spoken by steamer crew. For example, '"Ease her, stop her!" / "Any gentleman for Joppa?" / "'Mascus, 'Mascus?" / "Ticket, please, sir"'. Wonders what 'next marvel Time will show' but thinks it won't be long before one can pay sixpence for a 'Buss' to Jericho.
Suggests that money could be made from the Hungerford Suspension BridgeHungerford Suspension Bridge
CloseView the register entry >> by uniting it with the destitute Kensington Railway. Believes that 'two negatives' ('a bridge that nobody wants to go over' and 'a railway nobody wants to go by') might make an 'affirmative' profit.
Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Government, Charlatanry, Quackery
Addresssing himself to the Home Secretary James R G GrahamGraham, Sir James Robert George, 2nd
Baronet
(1792–1861)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >>, 'A Pettifogger' identifies himself as one of the 'unqualified practitioners' or 'quacks' to be penalised in Graham's Medical Reform Bill. Seeks protection for himself and for his 'fraternity' and hopes that Graham will reform the law as well as medicine, since 'the unskilful physician can only kill a few patients' while the 'ignorant attorney can but ruin a client or two'.
Attempts to correct a report in the AthenaeumAthenaeum
(1828–1900+)
Waterloo
Directory CloseView the register entry >> concerning William BucklandBuckland, William
(1784–1856)
DSB CloseView the register entry >>, who sought to demonstrate that the acid produced by snails will discolour the lilac riband of a lady's bonnet. Insists that the lady did not decline to testify to Buckland's claim but wrote to complain of her ruined bonnet and to ask Buckland for a new one.
Introduces a report of the activities of the British Association for the Advancement of ScienceBritish Association for the Advancement of Science
CloseView the register entry >> by noting the capacity of the association's members 'to keep science on the move' but wonders what the association 'is about'. The 'proceedings' begin with Edward Sabine'sSabine, Edward
(1788–1883)
DSB CloseView the register entry >> reading of the report on a committee's activities. These activities include 'experiments on a captive balloon', and sending out Edward ForbesForbes, Edward, Jr
(1815–54)
DSB CloseView the register entry >> 'with a dredging machine'. During his presentation, Sabine is interrupted by the president and a new member with various remarks and questions. For example, when Sabine announces that Forbes has discovered 150 new species in his dredging expedition, the new member demands names for such animals, to which the president quickly replies: 'Suppose we say Cockleuis Scollopoeculus, or Cockle good for scolloping [...] I can't think of any more right now'. After Sabine's presentation, a 'warm discussion' ensued on the proper section in which to discuss the 'Daddy Longlegs'. Summarises the content of other papers including those by Dr Hunt (an allusion to Robert HuntHunt, Robert
(1807–87)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >>), who discussed the influence of light on plants and ended up burning a flower, and Dr Heming (an allusion to G Oakley HemingHeming, G Oakley
(fl. 1831)
COPAC CloseView the register entry >>) who described a disease of the tongue which was 'found a good deal among Radical Members of Parliament and Chartist demagogues'.
Reports on a 'stormy' meeting of the Meteorological Section of the British Association for the Advancement of ScienceBritish Association for the Advancement of Science
CloseView the register entry >> in which 'speakers kept bouncing backwards and forwards, in and out at the door, to have the last reply to something' said by a section member who had not already left. Describes a 'most successful' paper on the dog by Dr Hodgkin (an allusion to Thomas HodgkinHodgkin, Thomas
(1798–1866)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >>), who 'imitated the barkings' and 'various looks' of dogs. Concludes by remarking that the association has brought science 'to exactly where it was thirteen years ago' when they first met.
Announces the imminent formation of an association for the 'Advancement of Cookery', intended as branch of the British Association for the Advancement of ScienceBritish Association for the Advancement of Science
CloseView the register entry >>. Proposed sections of the association include 'Section A, Soupology, including the philosophy of oxtails, and the theory of turtle', and 'Section D, Tartology', which will 'examine into the question whether puff-paste has any analogy with scissors and paste'. The illustration depicts a man whose head has blown off owing to 'incautiously taking too much soda to correct acidity'.
Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Charlatanry, Education, Anatomy
Reports on a meeting of medical students for thanking the Home Secretary James R G GrahamGraham, Sir James Robert George, 2nd
Baronet
(1792–1861)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >> for his medical reform bill. Much of the report is devoted to the speech of a 'young gentlemen in a Tweed wrapper' who analyses his disappointing examination performance and hopes that Graham's bill will 'settle' his brutal examiners, and put an end to the Apothecaries' HallWorshipful Society of Apothecaries of London—Apothecaries' Hall
CloseView the register entry >> and to 'grinding'. This is followed by others praising Graham and discussing the use of such subjects as anatomy and Latin to the medical practitioner.
Reports that some 'scientific folks' occupying an 'establishment at Fulham', 'issued a prospectus' undertaking to blow up schooners cheaply and annihilate fortresses quickly. Notes that the scheme is to be 'done by shells' but needs the public to 'shell-out as a preliminary', and that these scientific folks' 'benevolent object' is to 'put an end to war' by making it highly self-destructive. Punch observes that it is 'a rum idea to destroy life wholesale, for the purpose of saving it in detail'. The illustration shows a soldier pouring water from a watering-can onto a cannon—one way of 'destroying the enemy's guns'.
Reports on a discovery by 'some scientific gentleman' that London rests on a 'sort of clay-pit' which, if dried, would lead to the city tumbling 'through into the Antipodes'. Accordingly advises Londoners to 'swap their kitchens once a week' and regards the fluid foundations of the British and Foreign InstituteBritish and Foreign Institute
CloseView the register entry >> to be a 'good omen of its stability'.
Medical Practitioners, Medical Treatment, Commerce, Accidents
The thoughts of a surgeon are focused on the ways in which he can make money out of the dangerous aspects of street life. Relishes the number of 'fractures and dislocations' that will result from a gentleman falling over a hoop trundled by a ragamuffin, and refuses to remove orange peel from the pavement, 'the blessings of the whole profession' being on those who scattered the peel. Equally 'amazed and delighted' to see ladies 'going about in thin shoes' on damp and muddy streets, a fashion that he expects to result in broken ankles and numerous interesting afflictions, including catarrh and coughs.
Reports on the investigation by Professor Fairplay (a possible reference to Lyon PlayfairPlayfair, Sir Lyon, 1st Baron Playfair of St
Andrews
(1818–98)
DSB CloseView the register entry >>) of the diseases caused by living in cellars. Notes that 'Fairplay occupies the chair of Rheumatics in a cellar under the Royal InstitutionRoyal Institution of Great Britain
CloseView the register entry >>' and has successfully caught a number of respiratory diseases.
Announces a process for increasing the hardness of wood by impregnating it with iron. Adds that the inventor intends to convert the wood prepared in this manner into 'Boards of Guardians'.
Likenening the Great BritainSS Great Britain CloseView the register entry >> steamship to a swimmer, reports that, on being launched from her Bristol dock, 'her timbers shivered very much' but she 'soon struck out, smoking all the time'.
Describes the disadvantages of travelling first, second, and third class on a railway. It includes the observation that first-class travellers should be prepared to have their necks broken by an accident. Advises second-class passengers: 'you will do well to wear a respirator, unless you wish to be choked with dust and ashes from the engine close in front of you'. Suggests that third-class passengers should make up their minds 'for unmitigated hail, rain, sleet, snow, thunder and lightning'. The illustrations represent some of these hazards.
After announcing that he was unsuccessful in manufacturing a 'Lawyer's Clerk', J Babbage (an allusion to Charles BabbageBabbage, Charles
(1792–1871)
DSB CloseView the register entry >>) informs Punch that he has completed a 'New Patent Mechanical Novel Writer, adapted to all styles, and all subjects; pointed, pathetic, historic, silverfork, and Minerva'. Supports his invention with testimonials purportedly from some distinguished writers. G P R James (an allusion to the novelist George P R JamesJames, George Payne Rainsford
(1801–60)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >>) claims that the invention can produce a 3-volume novel in 48 hours while E L Bulwer Lytton, (an allusion to the novelist Edward G E L Bulwer-LyttonLytton, Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-, 1st
Baron Lytton
(1803–73)
ODNB CloseView the register entry >>) stresses that the machine produces novels with such attractive features as 'capital situations, ornate descriptions', and 'accommodating morality'. The illustration shows the machine in action.
Analyses a report on the 'origin, causes, results, metaphysics, philosophy, and physiology of drunkenness'. Mystified by the statistics suggesting such things as 'birthdays', 'taking up a bill', and 'arrival of a friend from the country' are causes of drunkenness.