Genre:

News-Commentary

Relevant illustrations:

wdct. [3]

Subjects:

Publishing, Reading, Creation, Evolution, Cosmology, Cultural Geography

    Reports on the sorry fate of Chambers 1844, a book that both publishers and authors are disowning. Notes that since the statesman Henry P Brougham (1st Baron Brougham and Vaux) kept the book for 'several weeks' he was regarded as its author and it 'sold another edition'. Describes how the book 'ran about town' trying unsuccessfully to attract scientific or literary men, and being 'threatened with the police', and that the 'Vicissitudes of the Vestiges of Creation' would make a 'pathetic little book'. Punch would 'take it in' with cheese, provided Mr Punch was not accused of being the author. Discusses possibility of giving this 'friendless little literary orphan' its own parish but adds that it 'does not know its father'. Urges the book to go to Ireland and wonders why 'no Irishman has yet declared himself the author'. Illustrations variously show Vestiges being kicked by a mob, pushed under a Brougham-shaped door-knocker, and as an orphan outside the 'Foundling Hospital'.