Genre:

Introduction, Drollery; Table, Drollery

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Scientific Practitioners, Engineers, Meteorology, Quackery, Class, Reading, Status

    Noting that 'changes in society' have 'rendered the old Tables of Precedence, to be found in the Peerage, &c., obsolete', presents Punch's new table of precedence which reflects the periodical's attitude towards certain individuals and professions, notably its support for the monarchy and Punch readers, and its hostility to boring preachers and crinoline wearers. The list of 'precedence among men' places Mr Punch third, Joseph Paxton eighth, the 'Medical Profession but no advertisers, quacks or other scum', eleventh, and 'Admiral Fitzroy, while Clerk of the Weather', twenty-sixth. The list of 'precedence among women' places Florence Nightingale fourth.