Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Astronomy, Observation, Politics, Narcotics, Amusement

    Presenting Punch as a 'scientific journal' of the 'first rank', reports that it has received extensive correspondence on the supposed effect of the comet on humans, including the suggestion that it might explain the 'strange fact' of Edward G G S Stanley (14th Earl of Derby) 'keeping office'. Relates, 'for the benefit of the scientific world', a story which it considers much more credible. It concerns a 'Mr. Sm—th' who, much to his wife's consternation, breaks his life-long habit of being punctual for his evening meal, and arrives home drunk early in the morning. (163) He explains that he has been to Cremorne Gardens to transact some 'mosh-hic-moshhicportant businesh' with 'ish fellow of—Shroyalshiety' (i.e. Royal Society) who wanted to observe the comet. The illustration shows a star field with an outline of great bear connecting some stars, and a comet streaming away from the tail of the bear. The caption reads '"Extremes Meet", As Exemplified on the Night of Saturday October 2nd'. (164)