Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Invention, Technology, Temperance, Spiritualism

    Noting the alleged exhaustion of British 'coal fields', discusses news of a 'French patent for the manufacture of Brandy from Coal Gas', a patent bought by an English firm and which Punch thinks will raise demand for coal. Thinks this also explains why 'Old King Coal was a merry old soul', and why coal produces increased inflammation of the cuticle. Suggests that the gas from which brandy is made should be piped into houses, thus enabling the beverage to be delivered 'on tap', but fears for the cause of temperance.