Genre:

Illustration, Drollery; News-Commentary, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Public Health, Gas Chemistry, Politics, Government, Controversy, Charlatanry

    Following controversy surrounding David B Reid's ventilation system, announces that Punch has launched an inquiry into the benefits of the system 'for brewing draughts of different kinds of atmosphere'. Announces that Reid can produce air smelling of carbon and oxygen, and that he will be selling various breezes, including a 'genuine Boreas' and 'Breezy Cotswold', and food in the Houses of Parliament. Expects his air will 'supersede wine at the dinner table'. Concludes with a poem praising Reid's invention. The illustration shows a bar selling such airs as 'Fine Old Arctic' and 'Zephyr' to various political characters including, inevitably, Henry P Brougham (1st Baron Brougham and Vaux).