Science in the 19th Century Periodical

Punch, Or the London Charivari [1st]

Introductory Essay
Volume 24  (January to June 1853)
Punch,  24 (1853), [x]–[xii], [xiv], [xvi], [xviii], [xx].

The Ladies of the Creation; or, How I was Cured of Being a Strong-Minded Woman

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Anon

Genre:

Reminiscences, Drollery

Subjects:

Gender, Education, Lecturing, Chemistry, Palaeontology, Domestic Economy


    The narrator describes how she was raised 'to ask questions about everything' and educated in 'all sorts of "ologies"' (x). She explains how, during her attendance of lectures at the Royal Institution Royal Institution of Great Britain
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, she met her husband to whom she displayed her chemical skills, but who was more interested in domestic matters and getting married than in such subjects as 'chemical affinities' and Michael Faraday's Faraday, Michael (1791–1867) DSB
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lectures on the candle. She had to remind her fiancé of Mary F G Somerville's Somerville, Mary Fairfax Greig (1780–1872) DSB
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argument that 'a woman may be deep in science, and make no worse wife for it'. Describes his anger at hearing about 'the scientific pretensions of the [female] sex'. (x–xi)



Punch,  24 (1853), [xii].

Maxims for Young Ladies' Curl Papers

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy


Punch,  24 (1853), [xiii].

Planetary Intelligence

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Astronomy


Punch,  24 (1853), [xiii].

Advice to Parents

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Vaccination


Punch,  24 (1853), [xiv].

Fallacy of the Naturalists

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Natural History


Punch,  24 (1853), [xv].

Vegetarianism Extraordinary

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Nutrition, Heterodoxy


Punch,  24 (1853), [xv].

The Doctor's Best Friend

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment


Punch,  24 (1853), [xv].

Infinitesimal Medicine

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Homeopathy, Quackery, Medical Treatment

People mentioned:

Christian F S Hahnemann Hahnemann, Christian Friedrich Samuel (1755–1843) DSB
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Punch,  24 (1853), [xv].

Triumph of Homeopathy

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Homeopathy, Quackery, Medical Treatment


Punch,  24 (1853), [xvii].

Fame for a Philosopher

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Botany, Scientific Practitioners

People mentioned:

Carl Linnaeus Linnaeus (or von Linné), Carl (1707–78) DSB
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Punch,  24 (1853), [xvii].

Veterinary

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Veterinary Science


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Punch,  24 (1853), 9.

Baron Liebig on Punch's Almanack

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Anon

Genre:

Letter, Spoof; Editorial Reply

Subjects:

Analytical Chemistry, Adulteration, Public Health, Periodicals


    Extracts a letter, purportedly from Justus von Liebig Liebig, Justus von (1803–73) DSB
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, which claims by 'subtle analysis' that Punch's Almanack Punch's Almanack (1842–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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is genuine and 'free from adulteration'. Boasts that it has received similar testimonials from the Lancet's Lancet (1823–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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Analytical Sanitary Commission Lancet—Analytical Sanitary Commission
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and the surgeon Charles M Clarke Clarke, Sir Charles Mansfield (1782–1857) ODNB
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.



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Punch,  24 (1853), 11.

Chemistry of the Administration

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Inorganic Chemistry, Politics, Analogy


    Likens the exchanges between leading statesmen to chemical reactions, and ponders their consequences. For example, 'Mr. Gladstone's Gladstone, William Ewart (1809–98) ODNB
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[the Chancellor of the Exchequer] carbonate of High Church principles perhaps will combine with Sir William Molesworth's Molesworth, Sir William, 8th Baronet (1810–55) ODNB
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[the First Commissioner of Works] latitudinarian acid, in the formation of a neutral salt'.



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Punch,  24 (1853), 29.

Reform Your Doctors' Bills

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Skill


    Responds to an article in the Morning Herald Morning Herald and Daily Advertiser (1780–1869) Waterloo Directory
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concerning doctors' charges for simply uttering such phrases as 'ahem' in front of patients. Cynically notes that a doctor's skill makes his otherwise crude medical treatment worth its price, and suggests that practitioners should 'charge for their opinions, as expressed in interjections'.



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Punch,  24 (1853), 33.

Talk of the Weather

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Meteorology, Publishing, Periodicals


    Reports on a 'learned discussion' on the 'causes of rain' and discusses a suggestion that it is caused by the union of volumes of air, a theory which is associated with the 'puffing' actions of the press and the 'dampness of the atmosphere' caused by their 'airy nothings'.



Punch,  24 (1853), 37.

A Dead Certainty

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Accidents

People mentioned:

James Nasmyth Nasmyth, James (1808–90) DSB
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Punch,  24 (1853), 49.

Geology for the City

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Spoof

Subjects:

Geology


    Reports that at the Gresham College Gresham College
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lecture, recently delivered at the Royal Exchange Royal Exchange
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, on the 'Coal Formation of the City of London Basin', it was claimed that the basin consisted of such typical waste products of the city as 'organic remains of gigantic chelonians' left over by aldermen.



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Punch,  24 (1853), 54.

An Electric Lady

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Electricity, Human Species, Gender


    Reports on the alleged electrical powers of an 'Austrian lady', but judges the account to be 'over-charged'.



Punch,  24 (1853), 54.

Long Range for the Peace Society Peace Society
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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Textbooks, Meteorology, Measurement, Politics, Aeronautics, Observation


    Describes proposal to conquer 'despotism throughout Europe', including the idea of dropping natural science books by balloon onto the continent. The success of the scheme depends on the establishment of 'an extensive series of meteorological observations' for gauging the wind speed.



Punch,  24 (1853), 57.

The Pig-Headed Public

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Zoological Gardens, Amusement


    Discusses the 'Zoological Recreations' at the Zoological Society Gardens Zoological Society of London —Gardens
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, including the latest attraction—a river pig.



Punch,  24 (1853), 59.

Science for Soft Horns

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Spoof

Subjects:

Botany, Universities, Education, Crime


    Reports on the decision of the University of Oxford University of Oxford
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and University of Cambridge University of Cambridge
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to provide instruction in plants with reference to Botany Bay. Believes this instruction will involve such crime-related matters as 'the anatomy and physiology of the several genera of fraud'.



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Punch,  24 (1853), 64.

The Rains and the Railway

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Meteorology, Electricity, Railways


    Discusses a claim made in the Suffolk Chronicle Suffolk Chronicle (1801–1900+) Ward, 1953
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that iron railroads cause increased amounts of rainfall. Argues that railways have a 'dampening influence' on the country and that the 'atmospheric principle' [a reference to Isambard K Brunel's Brunel, Isambard Kingdom (1806–59) ODNB
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short-lived atmospheric railway] did not significantly affect the weather.



Punch,  24 (1853), 69.

The Literature of Flunkeyism

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Anon

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Education


    Describes the medical education of John Smith, an archetypal flunkey. Notes that, despite his want of funds, he was able to establish himself as a legally qualified practitioner.



Punch,  24 (1853), 69.

Fancy Bipeds without Feathers

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Anon

Genre:

Essay, Drollery; Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

W, pseud.  [Henry R Howard] Howard, Henry R (fl. 1853) Spielmann 1895
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Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
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Subjects:

Human Species, Animal Development, Breeding, Monstrosities, Race


    Imagines the consequences of the existence of 'a race of Genii' who are as superior to humans as humans are to poultry, and who are 'Humankind Fanciers'. Imagines human beings with greatly exaggerated features, including 'the legs of a negro enlarged to the dimensions of those of the hippopotamus', and 'young ladies' with 'the superfluity of a figure which characterised the Hottentot VENUS'. The illustration shows a chicken taking pity on his brethren hanging up by their tails in the window of a butcher's shop.



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Punch,  24 (1853), 80.

Science and the Pope

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Religious Authority, Religion, Miracle, Anti-Scientism, Skill


    Responding to news that the cardinal-archbishop of Westminster, Nicholas P S Wiseman Wiseman, Nicholas Patrick Stephen (1802–65) ODNB
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, gave an address on 'the intimate connection between science and Catholicism', insists that science and Catholicism are as 'intimate as [...] the mouse and the bird' that 'make up the bat'. Noting Alexander Pope's Pope, Alexander (1688–1744) ODNB
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observation of Catholic suppression of natural philosophy, sarcastically denies that the Catholic Church thwarted Galileo Galilei Galilei, Galileo (1564–1642) DSB
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and Christopher Columbus Columbus, Christopher (1451–1506) CBD
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. Ironically asserts that the intimacy between science and Catholicism is shown by the scientific skill of monks needed to perform such miraculous events as 'winking Madonnas'.



Punch,  24 (1853), 80.

Newton at Sea

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Scientific Practitioners, Heroism, Steamships

People mentioned:

Isaac Newton Newton, Sir Isaac (1642–1727) DSB
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    Discusses the naming of a French steam sloop 'Newton' and the absence of such a vessel in the Royal Navy Royal Navy
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.



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Punch,  24 (1853), 88.

A Visit to the Zoological Gardens

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Anon

Genre:

Illustration, Satire

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

W, pseud.  [Henry R Howard] Howard, Henry R (fl. 1853) Spielmann 1895
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Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
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Subjects:

Zoological Gardens, Breeding


    Depicts an enormous turkey wearing spurred dress boots—possibly a caricature of the Turkish ambassador—which looks down at two giraffes over the railings of the Zoological Society Gardens Zoological Society of London —Gardens
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.



Punch,  24 (1853), 89.

A Batch of Correspondence

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Anon

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Periodicals, Mental Illness, Statistics, Psychology


    Believes that calculating the number of 'madmen who are continually suggesting "cuts"' in Punch Punch (1841–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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would be relevant to the 'Statistics of Insanity', and a valuable contribution to the Psychological Review Psychological Review (1894–1900) RLIN
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.



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Punch,  24 (1853), 91.

How Mr Peter Piper Enjoyed a Day's "Pig-Sticking," Near Burhampoor, Bengal  [1/2]Anon, 'How Mr Peter Piper Enjoyed a Day's "Pig-Sticking" Near Burhampoor, Bengal—Part 2', Punch, 24 (1853), 101

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Anon

Genre:

Serial, Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [4]

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:

Hunting, Imperialism, Animal Behaviour


Punch,  24 (1853), 92.

Railway Maxims

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Accidents, Time, Technology


    A list of well-known maxims that have been adapted to criticise the dangers and time wastage of railway travel. For instance, 'A Railway Train is the Thief of Time'.



Punch,  24 (1853), 100.

Sciences for Soldiers

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Education, Lecturing, Astronomy, Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Anti-Scientism


    Responds to a report in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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of lectures on astronomy, galvanism, and other scientific subjects being given to the Wiltshire Militia. Imagines the hostility of veteran officers but upholds the importance of this innovation.



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Punch,  24 (1853), 101.

How Mr Peter Piper Enjoyed a Day's "Pig-Sticking" Near Burhampoor, Bengal—Part 2  [2/2]Anon, 'How Mr Peter Piper Enjoyed a Day's "Pig-Sticking," Near Burhampoor, Bengal', Punch, 24 (1853), 91

Close

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Anon

Genre:

Serial, Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [4]

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:

Hunting, Imperialism


Punch,  24 (1853), 104.

Illustrated Passports

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Photography, Crime


    Discusses a proposal to stamp foreign passports with a daguerreotype of the bearer.



Punch,  24 (1853), 107.

Death in the Jam-Pot

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Adulteration, Analytical Chemistry, Medical Practitioners, Electricity, Crime


    Responds to a report of the Lancet's Lancet (1823–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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Analytical Sanitary Commission Lancet—Analytical Sanitary Commission
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, which states that several different types of jam are adulterated with copper. Adds that the '"little glass [jam] jar" which was analysed [...] has proved quite a jar of electricity' since it sends a shock 'to our nervous system'.



Punch,  24 (1853), 109.

Caution in Shopping!

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Public Health, Pollution, Disease, Gender


    Reports Thomas J Pettigrew's Pettigrew, Thomas Joseph (1791–1865) ODNB
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support for early closing of shops on 'medical grounds'. Describes the dangerous effects of the poisonous air on shopworkers and young ladies.



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Punch,  24 (1853), 111.

How Mr Peter Piper Tried his Hand at Buffalo-Shooting Near Burhampoor, Bengal—Part 1  [1/4]Anon, 'How Mr Peter Piper Tried his Hand at Buffalo-Shooting Near Burhampoor, Bengal—Part 2', Punch, 24 (1853), 121
Anon, 'How Mr Peter Piper was Induced to Join a Bear Hunt Near Burhampoor, Bengal—Part 1', Punch, 24 (1853), 140
Anon, 'How Mr Peter Piper Tried his Hand at Buffalo-Shooting Near Burhampool Bengal—Part 2', Punch, 24 (1853), 141

Close

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Anon

Genre:

Serial, Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [4]

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:

Hunting, Imperialism, Animal Behaviour


Punch,  24 (1853), 120.

Very Odd!

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Anon

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Mesmerism, Electricity, Animal Magnetism


    Depicts a 'Lecturer on Electro-Biology' trying to convince a stout gentleman that he 'can't jump over that stick' lying on the floor.



Punch,  24 (1853), 120.

Imposition and Humbug Market

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Spiritualism, Astrology, Animal Magnetism, Mesmerism, Imposture


    Notes the high fees and low demand for 'Spiritual Rappers', 'Transactions in Astrology', 'Electrobiology', and 'Animal Magnetism'.



Punch,  24 (1853), 120.

Wonderful Things

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Steamships, Accidents, Railways, Pollution, Public Health, Homeopathy, Medical Treatment, Technology


    Following news of the launch of a 'new weekly periodical', Wonderful Things Wonderful Things (1852) Waterloo Directory
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, lists a number of developments that it would class among 'Wonderful Things'. These include 'A Government Steamer which can be at sea a whole week without being forced to put back for repairs', 'A Punctual Railway Train', 'A Glass of Thames water that you can drink without deodorising', and a 'Homeopathic practice which is not quite sine-cure'.



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Punch,  24 (1853), 121.

How Mr Peter Piper Tried his Hand at Buffalo-Shooting Near Burhampoor, Bengal—Part 2  [2/4]Anon, 'How Mr Peter Piper Tried his Hand at Buffalo-Shooting Near Burhampoor, Bengal—Part 1', Punch, 24 (1853), 111
Anon, 'How Mr Peter Piper was Induced to Join a Bear Hunt Near Burhampoor, Bengal—Part 1', Punch, 24 (1853), 140
Anon, 'How Mr Peter Piper Tried his Hand at Buffalo-Shooting Near Burhampool Bengal—Part 2', Punch, 24 (1853), 141

Close

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Anon

Genre:

Serial, Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [4]

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:

Hunting, Imperialism, Animal Behaviour


Punch,  24 (1853), 125.

How to Insure Against Railway Accidents

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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:

Railways, Accidents, Commerce, Technology


    Subtitled 'Tie a Couple of Directors À La Mazeppa to Every Engine that Starts with a Train', shows two figures strapped to a locomotive in the style of Ivan S Mazeppa Mazeppa, Ivan Stepanovich (c. 1644–1709) CBD
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, the seventeenth-century aristocrat who was banished from Poland to his native Russia, strapped to a horse.



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Punch,  24 (1853), 138.

Remuneration for Railway Surgery

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Smashed, but not Killed Smashed but not Killed
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Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Railways, Travel, Accidents, Surgery, Medical Treatment, Commerce


    Identifying himself as a former 'extensive stage-coach proprietor', laments the passing of coach travel, especially because victims of coach accidents could usually find a surgeon to deal with their injuries. Compares this with the situation illustrated by a legal trial in which a surgeon sued a railway company for his costs when he attended a victim of an accident on the company's line. The spoof letter-writer urges surgeons to 'ascertain the solvency of the sufferer by a railway accident before rendering him any assistance', and points out that when he ran stagecoaches, he was willing to pay for doctor's bills. Tries to explain why the booming railway companies cannot afford to meet medical bills.



Punch,  24 (1853), 140.

How Mr Peter Piper was Induced to Join a Bear Hunt Near Burhampoor, Bengal—Part 1  [3/4]Anon, 'We all Have our Hobbies', Punch, 21 (1851), 123
Anon, 'How Mr Peter Piper Tried his Hand at Buffalo-Shooting Near Burhampoor, Bengal—Part 2', Punch, 24 (1853), 121
Anon, 'How Mr Peter Piper Tried his Hand at Buffalo-Shooting Near Burhampool Bengal—Part 2', Punch, 24 (1853), 141

Close

View full article text

Anon

Genre:

Serial, Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [4]

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:

Hunting, Imperialism, Animal Behaviour


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Punch,  24 (1853), 141.

How Mr Peter Piper Tried his Hand at Buffalo-Shooting Near Burhampool Bengal—Part 2  [4/4]Anon, 'How Mr Peter Piper Tried his Hand at Buffalo-Shooting Near Burhampoor, Bengal—Part 1', Punch, 24 (1853), 111
Anon, 'How Mr Peter Piper Tried his Hand at Buffalo-Shooting Near Burhampoor, Bengal—Part 2', Punch, 24 (1853), 121
Anon, 'How Mr Peter Piper was Induced to Join a Bear Hunt Near Burhampoor, Bengal—Part 1', Punch, 24 (1853), 140

Close

View full article text

Anon

Genre:

Serial, Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [3]

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:

Hunting, Imperialism, Animal Behaviour


Punch,  24 (1853), 147.

Free-Trade in Fortune-Telling

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Raphael Zadkiel Zadkiel, Raphael
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Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Astrology, Lecturing, Spiritualism, Mesmerism, Class, Commerce


    Announcing himself as an astrologer, explains how he has to advertise himself as an 'Astronomical Lecturer' in order to avoid prosecution, and asks why the 'Clairvoyante' Mrs Gerald Massey Massey, Mrs Gerald (fl. 1853) PU1/24/15/2
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and the mesmerist Adolphe Didier Didier, Adolphe (fl. 1856–71) WBI
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can 'make their guineas out of the faith of the aristocracy', but he is prevented from making money out of his 'humbler public'. Asks why, in the times of 'Free Trade', 'Spirit Rappers' unlike himself can 'go on without molestation'.



Punch,  24 (1853), 147.

"When Found, Don't Make a Note of"

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Spiritualism, Railways, Accidents, Steamships, Accidents


Punch,  24 (1853), 149.

Toby's Bark

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Quackery, Anatomy


Punch,  24 (1853), 150.

Pius the Ninth and Professor Owen

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Palaeontology, Religious Authority, Wonder


    Compares the reverence displayed by Pope Pius IX Pius IX, Pope (1792–1878) CBD
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towards an alleged tooth of St Peter to Richard Owen's Owen, Richard (1804–92) DSB
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veneration of 'fossil remains'.



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Punch,  24 (1853), 154.

Unreported Earthquakes

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Geology


    Responds to stories concerning a welter of unreported earthquakes.



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Punch,  24 (1853), 163.

Canine Madness

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Animal Behaviour, Crime, Health


Punch,  24 (1853), 169.

Railway Safety out into Something like a Ship-Shape Train

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Anon

Genre:

Notes

Subjects:

Railways, Accidents, Medical Practitioners, Education, Hospitals


    Urges the adoption of surgeons on railways, where it is believed they will gain more medical knowledge than in hospitals.



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Punch,  24 (1853), 173.

The Millionaire in Difficulties

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Anon

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Railways, Pollution, Public Health, Commerce


    Compares the 'wild promise' of railways to the 'light of a marsh exhalation'.



Punch,  24 (1853), 180.

The Collarotype; or, Sun Pictures of Scoundrels

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Anon

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery; Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

W, pseud.  [Henry R Howard] Howard, Henry R (fl. 1853) Spielmann 1895
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Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
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Subjects:

Photography, Crime, Technology


    Subtitled 'By a Gentleman of the Predatory Profession', responds to the appearance of Illustrated Hue and Cry Illustrated Hue and Cry (cited 1853) PU1/24/18/2
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, a periodical which prints photographs of criminals. The illustration shows a criminal looking critically at a 'pictur' of himself on a 'Wanted' notice pasted to a wall.



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Punch,  24 (1853), 189.

Turning the Tables

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Anon

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Spiritualism, Electricity


    Discusses 'the entertainment of turning the tables'. Insists that 'the circulation of the table is rather intimately connected with the circulation of the bottle' and that it results from 'that species of electricity, of which—although glass is said to be a non-conductor—the glass and the bottle are the principal agents'.



Punch,  24 (1853), 189.

The Electric Parliament

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Anon

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Politics, Government


    Notes the installation of telegraph lines from the House of Commons House of Commons
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to the principal railway stations, and proposals to lay other lines within the Houses of Parliament Houses of Parliament
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and between parliament and the clubs. Suggests that politicians use the telegraph to send entire speeches from their clubs to parliament, and relishes the possibility that this will make politicians less verbose.



Punch,  24 (1853), 190.

How Mr Peter Piper Accepted an Invitation from the Rajah of Rhubburdubdub to Hunt a 'Royal Bengal Tiger'—Part 1  [1/2]Anon, 'How Mr Peter Piper Accepted an Invitation from the Rajah of Rhubburdubdub to Hunt a 'Royal Bengal Tiger'—Part 2', Punch, 24 (1853), 200

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Anon

Genre:

Serial, Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [4]

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:

Hunting, Imperialism, Animal Behaviour


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Punch,  24 (1853), 192.

A Photographer Astonishing the Natives

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Anon

Genre:

Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Illustrators:

C B, pseud.  [Edward Bradley] Bradley, Edward (pseud Cuthbert Bede) (1827–89) CBD
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Spielmann, Marion Harry Alexander 1895. The History of "Punch", London: Cassell
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Subjects:

Photography, Superstition


Punch,  24 (1853), 193.

Lost, or Strayed—The Sun, Which has not been Seen [....]

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Anon

Genre:

Advertisement, Spoof

Subjects:

Astronomy, Meteorology, Photography


Punch,  24 (1853), 200.

How Mr Peter Piper Accepted an Invitation from the Rajah of Rhubburdubdub to Hunt a 'Royal Bengal Tiger'—Part 2  [2/2]Anon, 'How Mr Peter Piper Accepted an Invitation from the Rajah of Rhubburdubdub to Hunt a 'Royal Bengal Tiger'—Part 1', Punch, 24 (1853), 190

Close

View full article text

Anon

Genre:

Serial, Illustration, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [4]

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:

Hunting, Imperialism, Animal Behaviour


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Punch,  24 (1853), 203.

The Great Sarsaparilla Movement

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Quackery, Medical Treatment


    Noting the fads for such medicines as 'Pills', 'Elixirs', 'Lozenges', and 'Pastes', discusses the arrival of 'Sarsaparilla', a liquid medicine that Punch thinks is the result of 'Quackery pur sang'.



Punch,  24 (1853), 209.

The Locomotive Table Company

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Anon

Genre:

Advertisement, Spoof

Subjects:

Railways, Steam-power, Spiritualism, Psychology, Accidents

Publications cited:

Galignani's Messenger Galignani's Messenger (1821–95) Waterloo Directory
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    Announces the formation of a company that seeks to replace railway locomotives with tables which will drag railway coaches by the force of table-turning. Hopes that this will reduce accidents on the railway and explains that the tables will move by the 'volition' of the 'hands of the Company' of directors, who, as Punch already explained in Anon, 'How to Insure Against Railway Accidents', Punch, 24 (1853), 125, would, by being placed at the front of the train, reduce the likelihood of accidents.



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Punch,  24 (1853), 212.

Model Houses of Correction

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Anon

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Public Health, Crime


    Attacks the inhumane conditions suffered by convicts, including suffocation caused by inhabiting poorly ventilated and overcrowded rooms, and their exposure to excessive heat and fever.



Punch,  24 (1853), 214.

The Hat-Moving Experiment

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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:

Spiritualism, Amusement, Experiment


    Shows a large drawing room in which people are gathered around tables experimenting with the phenomena of hat-turning. The caption explains how to solicit motion from the hat and explains that the moustached figure in the foreground 'thinks that in the pursuit of Science he could perform the Experiment over and over again'.



Punch,  24 (1853), 220.

Live Legged Tables

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Anon

Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Spiritualism, Mesmerism, Invention, Charlatanry, Domestic Economy


    Regards 'Table moving' as absurd and explains how it is caused by 'mesmeric power'. Believes it will surpass all inventions and wonders 'What will't lead to', given its shocking effect on dining.



Punch,  24 (1853), 220.

The Brigade's Blunderbuss

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Religious Authority


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Punch,  24 (1853), 222.

Homeopathic Sports and Pastimes

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Homeopathy, Amusement, Microscopy


    Responds to a Morning Post Morning Post and Daily Advertising Pamphlet (1772–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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report of a 'homeopathic conversazione' featuring a microscope. Notes that the report omitted to mention the magnification of 'an infinitesimal dose of medicine' and the destruction of a flea by this medicine.



Punch,  24 (1853), 223.

Proposed Magnetic Expedition to the North Pole

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Mesmerism, Exploration, Heroism, Politics

Publications cited:

Gregory 1851 Gregory, William 1851. Letters to a Candid Enquirer on Animal Magnetism, London: Taylor [and 2 others]
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    Discusses Adolphe Didier's Didier, Adolphe (fl. 1856–71) WBI
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proposal, sent to the Morning Post Morning Post and Daily Advertising Pamphlet (1772–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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, to locate the ill-fated explorer John Franklin Franklin, Sir John (1786–1847) ODNB
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using 'a Clairvoyant possessing a high degree of magnetic lucidity'. Agrees on the overwhelming importance of such a discovery. Explains how Didier's mesmeric rapport with Franklin would depend on him possessing a personal item of the explorer, but cites a case of a clairvoyant managed by Joseph W Haddock Haddock, Joseph W (fl. 1850) WBI
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who allegedly found Franklin. Informs Didier that he should try his experiment on the statesman Henry P Brougham (1st Baron Brougham and Vaux) Brougham, Henry Peter, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux (1778–1868) ODNB
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before trying to raise money for his venture.



Punch,  24 (1853), 224.

Singular but Rather Alarming Effect Produced by Imprudently Trying the Hat and Table-Moving Experiment

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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:

Spiritualism, Domestic Economy


    Shows a pavement outside a house over which various objects, including tables, hats, chairs, and young children, fly about, and break a window.



Punch,  24 (1853), 228.

Extraordinary Delusion in a Clergyman

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Anon

Genre:

Advertisment, Spoof

Subjects:

Homeopathy, Religious Authority

People mentioned:

Christian Hahnemann Hahnemann, Christian Friedrich Samuel (1755–1843) DSB
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Punch,  24 (1853), 229.

A Pleasant Smell of Powder

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Military Technology, Aesthetics


    Discusses a proposal to invent 'Perfumed Gunpowder'.



Punch,  24 (1853), 229.

The Necessity of Medicine

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Commerce, Public Health


    Regards a surgeon's Lancet Lancet (1823–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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advertisement for an unwaged 'Gentleman' assistant as an illustration of the cheapening of 'medical science'. Speculates that the advertiser is a Poor Law medical officer who enjoys only 'mean and wretched [...] pittances'.



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Punch,  24 (1853), 234.

The New Motive Power

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Spiritualism, Mechanics, Crime


    Noting the 'Different opinions' on the cause of table-moving, suggests that they are 'turned by the power of attorney'.



Punch,  24 (1853), 237.

Table-Moving at Epsom

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Spiritualism


Punch,  24 (1853), 238.

A Simple Question

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Anon

Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Spiritualism


    'Addressed to the Table Movement Party', wonders whether a policeman could help 'move on' a table that failed to move after 'a couple of hours'.



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Punch,  24 (1853), 243.

Discovery of a Dragon!

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Anon

Genre:

Reportage, Spoof

Subjects:

Palaeontology, Geology, Monstrosities, Hospitals, Commerce


    Reports on the alleged discovery in Hampshire of an enormous 'species of pterodactlye'. Reveals that the monster is 'the Charity Dragon' which has 'subsisted on the property of the Hospital of St Cross Hospital of St Cross, near Winchester
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, near Winchester'.



Punch,  24 (1853), 244.

A Suburban Shame

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Technology, Natural Law


    Compares the circuitous routes by which mail is delivered to its destination, to similar processes in the electric telegraph, but points out that 'the law of the Electric Telegraph is a law of Nature which is unchangeable' but 'the law of the Post' is at the whim of the General Post Office General Post Office
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.



Punch,  24 (1853), 248.

Manufacture of Old Masters

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Palaeontology, Zoology


    Noting Richard Owen's Owen, Richard (1804–92) DSB
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skill at determining the structure of an entire animal from a small bone, points out that Owen 'must be content to share his celebrity for reconstructive genius' with painter George Lance Lance, George (1802–64) ODNB
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, who had restored a painting from which large portions had been missing.



Punch,  24 (1853), 249.

A Magnetic Ministry

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Anon

Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Spiritualism, Animal Magnetism, Government, Politics


    Playing on the ambiguity of the words 'turning' and 'motion', explains how politicians can benefit from the power of 'table-turning'. For example, observes how ministers should try to cause 'some definite motion on the part of the Cabinet', and how a few ministers sitting around a council table can cause the table to turn one way, without the need for others to join hands 'on any one subject'.



Punch,  24 (1853), 249.

A Sensible Civic Dinner

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Education, Government, Nutrition, Physiology


    Responds to a report in The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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concering an entertainment provided for English civic dignatories at the Mansion House Mansion House
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by the Lord Mayor of London (Thomas Challis Challis, Thomas (1794–1874) WBI
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). This was reported to be the first of a series of entertainments intended to encourage 'the Diffusion of a more General and Practical Knowledge of Science and Art among all Classes'. Cynically observes that the gluttonous lifestyles of mayors could only help diffuse knowledge of 'the digestive function'.



Punch,  24 (1853), 250.

Doctors' Commons

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Homeopathy


    Speculates on the paltry nature of a 'Doctors' Commons'.



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Punch,  24 (1853), 252.

Improvement in Spectacles

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Zoological Gardens, Amusement


    Remarks on the public fascination with the 'Marine Vivarium' at the Zoological Society Gardens Zoological Society of London —Gardens
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.



Punch,  24 (1853), 253.

A Chance for Clairvoyance

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Mesmerism, Telegraphy, Commerce

Publications cited:

The Times The Times (1777–1900+) Waterloo Directory
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    Discusses the possibility of making a fortune 'on the strength of a somnambulist's prediction respecting anybody's decease', and wonders why stock-jobbers have not 'availed themselves of clairvoyance', a power which could 'supersede the Electric Telegraph'.



Punch,  24 (1853), 254.

Intellectual Entertainment at the Mansion House

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Anon

Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Education, Geology, Instruments, Amusement


    Discusses moves by the Lord Mayor of London (Thomas Challis Challis, Thomas (1794–1874) WBI
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) to promote 'science and art among all classes', including his display at the Mansion House Mansion House
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of 'geological specimens', 'objects of natural history', and a host of scientific instruments. Congratulates the mayor for introducing 'food for the mind into his dinners'.



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