Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Aeronautics, Meteorology, Animal Behaviour

    In this letter to Mr Punch's dog, Toby, 'Messrs. Coxwell and Glaisher's aëronautical Dog' recalls the time when they were being instructed in 'Twinkle, twinkle, little star' and boasts that he has 'been up to see the Star that twinkles' and to 'emulate the acrobatic Cow' who 'o'ertopped the Silvery Moon'. Reminds Toby that he and three rabbits went on a journey with Coxwell and Glaisher above the clouds. These animals were taken in order to study the effects of 'low temperature and sudden changes on them'. Criticises the aeronauts for being 'dullards' who fell asleep on the journey and who selfishly deprived him of the rabbits. Proceeds to give an account of how he was kicked and generally maltreated by the aeronauts and of his confusion between 'air' with 'hare'.