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diff --git a/13327-h/13327-h.htm b/13327-h/13327-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c0461b3 --- /dev/null +++ b/13327-h/13327-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1056 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" + content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> + + <title>Punch, July 18, 1891.</title> + <style type="text/css"> + /*<![CDATA[*/ + + <!-- + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + p {text-align: justify;} + blockquote {text-align: justify;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {text-align: center;} + pre {font-size: 0.7em;} + + hr {text-align: center; width: 50%;} + html>body hr {margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 25%; width: 50%;} + hr.full {width: 100%;} + html>body hr.full {margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 0%; width: 100%;} + hr.short {text-align: center; width: 20%;} + html>body hr.short {margin-right: 40%; margin-left: 40%; width: 20%;} + + .note + {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + + span.pagenum + {position: absolute; left: 1%; right: 91%; font-size: 8pt;} + + .poem + {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem p {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem p.i2 {margin-left: 1em;} + .poem p.i4 {margin-left: 2em;} + .poem p.i6 {margin-left: 3em;} + .poem p.i8 {margin-left: 4em;} + .poem p.i10 {margin-left: 5em;} + + .figure, .figcenter, .figright, .figleft + {padding: 1em; margin: 0; text-align: center; font-size: 0.8em;} + .figure img, .figcenter img, .figright img, .figleft img + {border: none;} + .figure p, .figcenter p, .figright p, .figleft p + {margin: 0; text-indent: 1em;} + .figcenter {margin: auto;} + .figright {float: right;} + .figleft {float: left;} + + .inline {border: none; vertical-align: middle;} + + .footnote {font-size: 0.9em; margin-right: 10%; margin-left: 10%;} + + p.author {text-align: right;} + + .side { float:right; + font-size: 75%; + width: 25%; + padding-left:10px; + border-left: dashed thin; + margin-left: 10px; + text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; + font-weight: bold; + font-style: italic;} + --> + /*]]>*/ + </style> +</head> + +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13327 ***</div> + + <h1>PUNCH,<br /> + OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.</h1> + + <h2>Vol. 101.</h2> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>July 18, 1891.</h2> + <hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page1" + id="page1"></a>[pg 1]</span> + + <h1>MR. PUNCH'S JUBILEE NUMBER.</h1> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/1.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/1.png" + alt="" /></a> + </div> + + <p>"My Reminiscences!" said <i>Mr. Punch</i>, replying to a + question put by his Interviewer, ANNO DOMINI + EIGHTEEN-NINETY-ONE; "They are already before the World, in + exactly One Hundred Volumes! My first 'Number' bore date 'for + the week ending July 17th, 1841. My memory is indeed stored + with recollections, pleasant, picturesque, pathetic, of the + teeming past, memories of my joyous 'Table,' of my well-beloved + 'Young Men,' of Great Names, of Genial Comrades, of Bright + Wits, of Warm Hearts, of Famous Artists, of Clever Writers, + who—in the words of the greatest of them all—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>'Perched round the stem</p> + + <p>Of the jolly old tree.'</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>"How well the words of the wise wit written in 1847 express + our thoughts to-day, Mr. ANNO DOMINI:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>'Here let us sport</p> + + <p>Boys, as we sit,</p> + + <p>Laughter and wit</p> + + <p>Flashing so free.</p> + + <p>Life is but short—</p> + + <p>When we are gone,</p> + + <p>Let them sing on</p> + + <p>Round the old tree.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Evenings we knew</p> + + <p>Happy as this;</p> + + <p>Faces we miss</p> + + <p>Pleasant to see.</p> + + <p>Kind hearts and true,</p> + + <p>Gentle and just,</p> + + <p>Peace to their dust!</p> + + <p>We sing round the tree.'</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>It is one of my proudest memories to recollect that + THACKERAY's 'Mahogany Tree,' was my Table."</p> + + <p>"To have been Amphitryon to <i>such</i> guests must have + been the most pleasant privilege of hospitality," said ANNO + DOMINI.</p> + + <p>"Very true," responded <i>Mr. Punch</i>, "And of all my + Deputy-Amphitryons—if I may use the term—who more + fully, fitly, justly, and genially filled the post than the + earliest of them all, the kindly and judicious MARK LEMON? Had + not he and clever HENRY MAYHEW, and Mr. Printer LAST, and + EBENEZER LANDELLS, my earliest engraver, foregathered first + with me in furtherance of the 'new work of wit and whim,' + embellished with cuts and caricatures, to be called:—</p> + + <center> + <i>PUNCH; OR, THE LONDON CHARIVARI</i>? + </center> + + <p>"LEMON, and LAST, and MAYHEW, were they here to-day, would + probably agree to divide between them the early honours, as + they shared the early responsibility. But doubtless MARK LEMON + was the literary shaper of the 'Guffawgraph,' as he jocularly + called it in his 'Prospectus,' and, from the first, its guiding + spirit. Happily so, for his was a spirit fitted to rule, both + by power, and tact, and taste. With 'Uncle MARK' in the chair, + I knew there would be neither austere autocracy, nor + <i>fainéant</i> laxity, neither weakness of stroke nor foulness + of blow, neither Rosa-Matilda-ish, mawkishness, nor Rabelaisian + coarseness.</p> + + <p>"How well I remember my first group of 'Young Men,'" pursued + <i>Mr. Punch</i>, musingly. "There was swift and scathing + DOUGLAS JERROLD, with his tossed and tangled mane of grey hair. + GILBERT ABBOTT À BECKETT, too, the whimsically witty, the + drolly satirical, the comically caustic. HENRY MAYHEW, of + course, and, a little later, his brother HORACE, the simple, + lovable 'PONNY.' HENNING, NEWMAN and BRINE, were my earliest + Artists. HENNING drew the first Cartoon, whilst NEWMAN and + BRINE, and, later, HINE, between them, were responsible for + most of the smaller cuts, head-and-tail-pieces, pictorial puns, + and sketchy silhouettes, wherewith <i>Punch's</i> early pages + abounded.</p> + + <p>"In the fourth Number of <i>Punch</i>, published on August + 7th, 1841, first appeared the soon-to-be-famous signature of + 'JOHN LEECH.'"</p> + + <p>"Ah! JOHN LEECH," cried the attentive ANNO DOMINI. "A name + to conjure with! How did that 'Star swim into your ken'?"</p> + + <p>"There was a certain clever, scholarly, and genial + gentleman," responded <i>Mr. Punch</i>, "who had lately + published, under the pseudonym of 'PAUL PRENDERGAST,' an + extremely funny <i>Comic Latin Grammar</i>. 'PAUL PRENDERGAST' + was, in reality, Mr. PERCIVAL LEIGH, originally a medical + gentleman, the well-beloved 'Professor' of later <i>Punch</i> + days. The <i>Comic Latin Grammar</i> had been admirably + illustrated by a personal friend, and fellow-student, of + LEIGH's named LEECH. The services of <i>both</i> of the + contributors to the <i>Comic Latin Grammar</i> were soon + enlisted in my interests.</p> + + <p>"Another of LEECH's medical student friends was ALBERT + SMITH, and he before long was penning his 'Physiology of London + Evening Parties' (illustrated by PHIZ—HALBOT KNIGHT + BROWNE—NEWMAN, and others) for my pages. KENNY MEADOWS, + WATTS PHILLIPS, ALFRED 'CROW-QUILL' (FORRESTER), JOHN GILBERT, + and others, drew also for the young Journal, the printing of + which had been taken over by the Whitefriars firm of BRADBURY + AND EVANS, with whom as proprietors and fast friends, + <i>Punch</i> has ever since been happily associated.</p> + + <p>"As early as my Fourth Volume," pursued <i>Mr. Punch</i>, + "it became obvious that, in the person of 'Our Fat + Contributor,' a certain 'MICHAEL ANGELO TITMARSH' was writing + and drawing for <i>Punch</i>.</p> + + <p>(<i>Continued on Page</i> <a href="#page4">4</a>.)</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page2" + id="page2"></a>[pg 2]</span> + + <h2>FAC-SIMILE OF FIRST PAGE OF "PUNCH."</h2> + + <h3>PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.</h3> + + <h4><i>FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 17, 1841.</i></h4> + <hr class="short" /> + + <h3>THE MORAL OF PUNCH.</h3> + <hr class="short" /> + + <p>As we hope, gentle public, to pass many happy hours in your + society, we think it right that you should know something of + our character and intentions. Our title, at a first glance, may + have misled you into a belief that we have no other intention + than the amusement of a thoughtless crowd, and the collection + of pence. We have a higher object. Few of the admirers of our + prototype, merry Master PUNCH, have looked upon his vagaries + but as the practical outpourings of a rude and boisterous + mirth. We have considered him as a teacher of no mean + pretensions, and have, therefore, adopted him as the sponsor + for our weekly sheet of pleasant instruction. When we have seen + him parading in the glories of his motley, flourishing his + baton (like our friend Jullien at Drury-lane) in time with his + own unrivalled discord, by which he seeks to win the attention + and admiration of the crowd, what visions of graver puppetry + have passed before our eyes! Golden circlets, with their + adornments of coloured and lustrous gems, have bound the brow + of infamy as well as that of honour—a mockery to both; as + though virtue required a reward beyond the fulfilment of its + own high purposes, or that infamy could be cheated into the + forgetfulness of its vileness by the weight around its temples! + Gilded coaches have glided before us, in which sat men who + thought the buzz and shouts of crowds a guerdon for the toils, + the anxieties, and, too often, the peculations of a life. Our + ears have rung with the noisy frothiness of those who have + bought their fellow-men as beasts in the market-place, and + found their reward in the sycophancy of a degraded + constituency, or the patronage of a venal ministry—no + matter of what creed, for party <i>must</i> destroy + patriotism.</p> + + <p>The noble in his robes and coronet—the beadle in his + gaudy livery of scarlet, and purple, and gold—the + dignitary in the fulness of his pomp—the demagogue in the + triumph of his hollowness—these and other visual and oral + cheats by which mankind are cajoled, have passed in review + before us, conjured up by the magic wand of PUNCH.</p> + + <p>How we envy his philosophy, when SHALLA-BA-LA, that demon + with the bell, besets him at every turn, almost teasing the sap + out of him! The moment that his tormentor quits the scene, + PUNCH seems to forget the existence of his annoyance, and, + carolling the mellifluous numbers of <i>Jim Crow</i>, or some + other strain of equal beauty, makes the most of the present, + regardless of the past or future; and when SHALLA-BA-LA renews + his persecutions, PUNCH boldly faces his enemy, and ultimately + becomes the victor. All have a SHALLA-BA-LA in some shape or + other; but few, how few, the philosophy of PUNCH!</p> + + <p>We are afraid our prototype is no favourite with the ladies. + PUNCH is (and we reluctantly admit the fact) a Malthusian in + principle, and somewhat of a domestic tyrant; for his conduct + is at times harsh and ungentlemanly to Mrs. P.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"Eve of a land that still is Paradise,</p> + + <p>Italian beauty!"</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>But as we never look for perfection in human nature, it is + too much to expect it in wood. We wish it to be understood that + we repudiate such principles and conduct. We have a Judy of our + own, and a little Punchininny that commits innumerable + improprieties; but we fearlessly aver that we never threw him + out of window, nor belaboured the lady with a stick—even + of the size allowed by law.</p> + + <p>There is one portion of the drama we wish was omitted, for + it always saddens us—we allude to the prison scene. + PUNCH, it is true, sings in durance, but we hear the ring of + the bars mingling with the song. We are advocates for the + <i>correction</i> of offenders; but how many generous and + kindly beings are there pining within the walls of a prison, + whose only crimes are poverty and misfortune! They, too, sing + and laugh, and appear jocund, but the <i>heart</i> can ever + hear the ring of the bars.</p> + + <p>We never looked upon a lark in a cage, and heard him + trilling out his music as he sprang upwards to the roof of his + prison, but we felt sickened with the sight and sound, as + contrasting, in our thought, the free minstrel of the morning, + bounding as it were into the blue caverns of the heavens, with + the bird to whom the world was circumscribed. May the time soon + arrive, when every prison shall be a palace of the + mind—when we shall seek to instruct and cease to punish. + PUNCH has already advocated education by example. Look at his + dog Toby! The instinct of the brute has almost germinated into + reason. Man <i>has</i> reason, why not give him + intelligence?</p> + + <p>We now come to the last great lesson of our motley + teacher—the gallows! that accursed tree which has its + <i>root</i> in injuries. How clearly PUNCH exposes the fallacy + of that dreadful law which authorises the destruction of life! + PUNCH sometimes destroys the hangman: and why not? Where is the + divine injunction against the shedder of man's blood to rest? + None <i>can</i> answer! To us there is but ONE disposer of + life. At other times PUNCH hangs the devil: this is as it + should be. Destroy the principle of evil by increasing the + means of cultivating the good, and the gallows will then become + as much a wonder as it is now a jest.</p> + + <p>We shall always play PUNCH, for we consider it best to be + merry and wise—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"And laugh at all things, for we wish to know,</p> + + <p>What, after all, are all things but a + show!"—<i>Byron</i>.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>As on the stage of PUNCH's theatre, many characters appear + to fill up the interstices of the more important story, so our + pages will be interspersed with trifles that have no other + object than the moment's approbation—an end which will + never be sought for at the expense of others, beyond the + evanescent smile of a harmless satire.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.</h3> + + <p>There is a report of the stoppage of one of the most + respectable <i>hard-bake</i> houses in the metropolis. The firm + had been speculating considerably in "Prince Albert's Rock," + and this is said to have been the rock they have ultimately + split upon. The boys will be the greatest sufferers. One of + them had stripped his jacket of all its buttons as a deposit on + some <i>tom-trot</i>, which the house had promised to supply on + the following day; and we regret to say, there are whispers of + other transactions of a similar character.</p> + + <p>Money has been abundant all day, and we saw a half-crown + piece and some halfpence lying absolutely idle in the hands of + an individual, who, if he had only chosen to walk with it into + the market, might have produced a very alarming effect on some + minor description of securities. Cherries were taken very + freely at twopence a pound, and Spanish (liquorice) at a shade + lower than yesterday. There has been a most disgusting glut of + tallow all the week, which has had an alarming effect on dips, + and thrown a still further gloom upon rushlights.</p> + + <p>The late discussions on the timber duties have brought the + match market into a very unsettled state, and Congreve lights + seem destined to undergo a still further depression. This state + of things was rendered worse towards the close of the day, by a + large holder of the last-named article unexpectedly throwing an + immense quantity into the market, which went off rapidly.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>SOMETHING WARLIKE.</h3> + + <p>Many of our readers must be aware, that in pantomimic + pieces, the usual mode of making the audience acquainted with + anything that cannot be clearly explained by dumb-show, is to + exhibit a linen scroll, on which is painted, in large letters, + the sentence necessary to be known. It so happened that a + number of these scrolls had been thrown aside after one of the + grand spectacles at Astley's Amphitheatre, and remained amongst + other lumber in the property-room, until the late destructive + fire which occurred there. On that night, the wife of one of + the stage-assistants—a woman of portly + dimensions—was aroused from her bed by the alarm of fire, + and in her confusion, being unable to find her proper + habiliments, laid hold of one of these scrolls, and wrapping it + around her, hastily rushed into the street, and presented to + the astonished spectators an extensive back view, with the + words, "BOMBARD THE CITADEL," inscribed in legible characters + upon her singular drapery.</p> + + <h3>HUME'S TERMINOLOGY.</h3> + + <p>Hume is so annoyed at his late defeat at Leeds, that he vows + he will never make use of the word Tory again as long as he + lives. Indeed, he proposes to expunge the term from the English + language, and to substitute that which is applied to his own + party. In writing to a friend, that "after the inflammatory + character of the oratory of the Carlton Club, it is quite + supererogatory for me to state (it being notorious) that all + conciliatory measures will be rendered nugatory," he thus + expressed himself:—"After the inflamma<i>whig</i> + character of the ora<i>whig</i> of the nominees of the Carlton + Club, it is quite supereroga<i>whig</i> for me to state (it + being no<i>whig</i>ous) that all concilia<i>whig</i> measures + will be rendered nuga<i>whig</i>."</p> + + <h3>NATIVE SWALLOWS.</h3> + + <p>A correspondent to one of the daily papers has remarked, + that there is an almost total absence of swallows this summer + in England. Had the writer been present at some of the election + dinners lately, he must have confessed that a greater number of + <i>active swallows</i> has rarely been observed congregated in + any one year.</p> + + <h3>LORD MELBOURNE TO "PUNCH."</h3> + + <p>My Dear PUNCH,—Seeing in the "Court Circular" of the + <i>Morning Herald</i> an account of a General Goblet as one of + the guests of her Majesty, I beg to state, that till I saw that + announcement, I was not aware of any other <i>general gobble + it</i> than myself at the Palace.</p> + + <p class="author">Yours, truly, MELBOURNE.</p> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page3" + id="page3"></a>[pg 3]</span> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/3.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/3.png" + alt="MR. PUNCH'S FANCY BALL. 1847." /></a> + + <h3>MR. PUNCH'S FANCY BALL. 1847.</h3>(Horace Mayhew. + Richd. Doyle. John Leech. Mark Lemon. W.M. Thackeray.<br /> + Percival Leigh. Gilbert A. à Beckett. Tom Taylor. Douglas + Jerrold.<br /> + Prince de Joinville. Geo. Hudson. Shaw Lefevre. Prince + Albert. B. Disraeli. Col. Sibthorp. Sir Fredk. Trench. + Emperor of Russia.<br /> + Sir R. Peel. Sir J. Graham. D. O'Connell. Jenny Lind. Lord + John Russell. Louis Philippe. The British Lion. Mehemet + Ali. Duke of Richmond.<br /> + Richd. Cobden. Lord George Bentinck. Gen. Tom Thumb. THE + QUEEN. MR. PUNCH. Lord Brougham. Duke of Wellington.) + </div> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page4" + id="page4"></a>[pg 4]</span> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/4.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/4.png" + alt="" /></a> + </div> + + <p>Yes, the lion THACKERAY had joined the Table, and + thenceforth for many years he illumined my pages with his keen + wit and ripe wisdom, his graceful prose, his polished verse, + and his characteristic pictures.</p> + + <p>"The frontispiece to Volume V. (1843) was by RICHARD DOYLE, + a plain foreshadowing of the celebrated design which was ever + after to form the familiar Cover of the <i>Punch</i> Number. + DOYLE had now joined the Staff, and for many years his fine + fancy was allowed full play in my pages.</p> + + <p>"At the end of the same Volume, upon page 260 of a + supplement, entitled, '<i>Punch's</i> Triumphal Procession,' + appeared TOM HOOD's never-to-be-forgotten 'Song of the Shirt.' + It is one of <i>Mr. Punch's</i> pleasantest Reminiscences that + this gentle genius, this true poet, contributed this famous + masterpiece to his pages.</p> + + <p>"The scholarly, accomplished, and warm-hearted TOM TAYLOR + was the next to join the Table, and his 'Spanish Ballads' (in + 1846), admirably illustrated by DOYLE, made their mark, as did + later his 'Unprotected Female.' In Volume XVI. PERCIVAL LEIGH + commenced his 'Mr. PIPS, his Diary, or, Manners and Customs of + ye Englyshe in 1849,' characteristically illustrated by RICHARD + DOYLE at his graphic best. The same year was remarkable for the + appearance of LEECH's most delightful character, the + simple-minded, sport-loving, philistine paterfamilias, Mr. + BRIGGS, first met with in connection with 'The Pleasures of + Housekeeping,' though subsequently associated especially with + humorous sporting scenes.</p> + + <p>"The frontispiece to Volume XIX., for the second half of the + year 1850, was by a 'new hand,' none other than JOHN TENNIEL + <i>the</i> 'Cartoonist' <i>par excellence</i>, whose work + henceforth was to be—as happily it still is—the + pride of <i>Mr. Punch</i> and the delight of the British + Public. TENNIEL's first Cartoon, 'Lord JACK the Giant-Killer,' + graced <i>Mr. Punch's</i> 499th Number, he having taken, at + short notice, the place of RICHARD DOYLE, who after many years + of excellent work had voluntarily withdrawn from the Table, + owing to certain religious scruples, not wholly unconnected + with the subject of his successor's first 'Big Cut.'</p> + + <p>"Another member of my little army about this time was GEORGE + SILVER, and my next recruits were the polished and witty + SHIRLEY BROOKS, and, one who was to develop into the greatest + master of Black-and-White Art this country has produced, + CHARLES KEENE to wit, our dear, picturesque, unsophisticated + 'CARLO,' lost to the Table—an irreparable loss!—but + a few months ago.</p> + + <p>"At the opening of Volume XXVII. for the second half of the + year 1854, you will observe, Mr. ANNO DOMINI, a Picture by JOHN + TENNIEL (reproduced above), in which the then existing Staff of + <i>Punch</i> are humorously sketched. They are engaged in + somewhat varied sports and pastimes. <i>Mr. Punch</i> is + keeping wicket in a game in which THACKERAY wields the bat, and + PERCIVAL LEIGH is bowling; MARK LEMON, and GILBERT À BECKETT + are playing at battledore and shuttlecock, and DOUGLAS JERROLD + is having a solitary game of skittles, the 'pins' being the + CZAR of RUSSIA, &c. SHIRLEY BROOKS, MAYHEW, and TOM TAYLOR + are playing at Leapfrog, TOM TAYLOR 'overing' MAYHEW, whilst + SHIRLEY BROOKS is following up. In the background JOHN TENNIEL + is sketching the Good Knight <i>Punchius</i> upon a wall, + whilst in the immediate foreground JOHN LEECH, upon a + hobby-horse, is leaping over an easel. These were the chief of + my 'Young Men' at this time. In front of the tent are two + gentlemen, one in a black, the other in a white, hat. The first + is WILLIAM BRADBURY, the second is 'Pater' EVANS, our + 'proprietors and friends' of that day.</p> + + <p>"In 1856 an obituary notice showed that the Table had + experienced one of its earliest losses, that of GILBERT ABBOTT + À BECKETT. And on June 8th, in the following year, the boding + black border appeared 'In Memoriam' of DOUGLAS JERROLD. Ah, me, + Mr. ANNO DOMINI, the jingling of the cap-and-bells, howsoever + merrily it may sound, is perforce interrupted now and again by + the chiming of a bell of deeper note and sadder tone.</p> + + <p>"Volume XXXIX. for 1860 saw the artistic advent of the + Society Satirist of the Victorian Era, GEORGE DU MAURIER; and + in Volume XLIV. for the year 1863, the presence of another 'New + Boy' at my Table, was evidenced by the appearance of the + burlesque London-Journalish Novel, 'Mokeanna,' in which FRANCIS + COWLEY BURNAND parodied the 'Penny Dreadful.'</p> + + <p>"The very first page of my Volume for 1864, Mr. ANNO DOMINI, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page5" + id="page5"></a>[pg 5]</span> recorded a great, a grievous, + an irreparable loss to me and to the world. WILLIAM + MAKEPEACE THACKERAY, the greatest of my contributors, had + gone for ever from my Table. And a little later—only a + little later—in my Number for November 12th, 1864, + appeared an obituary notice—alas the day!—of the + great, the genial, the loved, the lamented JOHN LEECH.</p> + + <p>"In the Volumes for this year, 1865, appear for the first + time the fanciful, ingenious, elaborately symbolical designs of + CHARLES H. BENNETT, who unhappily did not long enrich my pages + with his facile execution and singular subtlety of fancy. He + died on the 2nd April. His place at my Table was soon after + taken by LINLEY SAMBOURNE.</p> + + <p>"On the 23rd May, 1870, he who had sat at the head of my + Table ever since its first establishment, 'who wrote the first + article in this Journal, who from its establishment had been + its conductor,' left empty the chief seat at my board.</p> + + <blockquote> + <p>"'If this Journal has had the good fortune to be + credited with habitual advocacy of truth and justice, if it + has been praised for abstention from the less worthy kind + of satire, if it has been trusted by those who keep guard + over the purity of womanhood and of youth, we, the best + witnesses, turn for a moment from our sorrow to bear the + fullest and the most willing testimony that the high and + noble spirit of MARK LEMON ever prompted generous + championship, ever made unworthy onslaught or irreverent + jest impossible to the pens of those who were honoured in + being coadjutors with him.'</p> + </blockquote> + + <p>"This, Mr. ANNO DOMINI, was the high and merited tribute + which the spokesman of his surviving colleagues paid to the + beloved memory of MARK LEMON.</p> + + <p>"SHIRLEY BROOKS succeeded him in the editorial chair, which + he filled fittingly and faithfully for—alas!—only + four years. In 1874 I lost my second Editor. TOM TAYLOR was his + successor, taking up with the Editorship, the extraction of + that weekly 'Essence of Parliament,' so long and so + delightfully distilled by the deceased Chief.</p> + + <p>"Meanwhile, on April 30th, 1872, HORACE MAYHEW, had departed + from our midst. A little later the Table received a further + accession in the person of ARTHUR WILLIAM À BECKETT, ('Mr. + BRIEFLESS Junior,') son of that GILBERT ABBOTT À BECKETT who + was one of my earliest 'Stars.' His brother, a second GILBERT À + BECKETT, took his seat at the Table a few years later. In + Volume LXVIII. for 1875, E.J. MILLIKEN made his first + appearance as a <i>Punch</i> Writer. The Author of the 'ARRY + papers, 'CHILDE CHAPPIE's Pilgrimage,' &c., joined my Table + two years later.</p> + + <p>"On the 12th July, 1880, another great loss befel me. TOM + TAYLOR, my third Editor, left that honourable post vacant, + after occupying it with credit and distinction for six years. + Mr. F.C. BURNAND, author of 'Happy Thoughts,' &c., reigns + in his stead. R.F. SKETCHLEY, who had a seat at my Board for + several years, resigned it a little later.</p> + + <p>"The same year, 1880, saw the introduction of a new Artist, + in the person of HARRY FURNISS; and the next introduced HENRY + W. LUCY, the 'TOBY' of <i>Mr. Punch's</i> remodelled Essence of + Parliament.</p> + + <p>"In 1887, the appearance of '<i>Mr. Punch's</i> Manual for + Young Reciters,' gave evidence of the fact that the Author of + <i>Vice Versâ</i>, Mr. F. ANSTEY, had joined my Table. He, with + R.C. LEHMANN, Author of 'Modern Types,' &c., and E.G. REED, + the Artist, are the very latest additions thereto. That Table + has, within the last two years, sustained yet two other losses: + PERCIVAL LEIGH, last survivor of the 'Old Guard,' dying on 24th + October, 1889, whilst, early in the present year, the + inimitable CHARLES KEENE, universally acknowledged to be the + greatest master of 'Black-and-White' technique who ever put + pencil to wood-block, was taken away from me.</p> + + <p>"Merely to mention <i>all</i> the bright pens and pencils + which have occasionally contributed to my pages, would occupy + much space. Amongst Writers may be named MAGUIN HANNAY, + STIRLING COYNE, COVENTRY PATMORE, MORTIMER COLLINS, GEORGE + AUGUSTUS SALA, ANDREW LANG, JAMES PAYN, and Lord TENNYSON; + amongst Artists, HOWARD (whose signature, a trident, was at one + time familiar to <i>Punch</i> readers), Miss BOWERS, RALSTON, + BRYAN, BARNARD, W.S. GILBERT (who illustrated several of his + own articles), CORBOULD, CALDECOTT, RIVIÈRE, H.S. MARKS, FRED + WALKER, SIR JOHN MILLAIS, and Sir FREDERICK LEIGHTON.</p> + + <p>"The present Staff, Mr. ANNO DOMINI, you may see assembled + 'round the old Tree' in the accompanying Cartoon. Around on the + walls are the counterfeit presentments of their illustrious and + honoured predecessors. My guests, you perceive, are drinking a + toast. That toast is, '<i>Mr. Punch</i>, his health and + Jubilee!'"</p> + + <p>"In which I am delighted to join!" responded ANNO DOMINI. + "<i>Mr. Punch</i>, you must be as proud of your 'Mahogany + Tree,' and its many memories, as King ARTHUR of his Table + Round."</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"'For dear to ARTHUR was that hall of ours,</p> + + <p>As having there so oft with all his Knights</p> + + <p>Feasted,'"</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>quoted the Sage, musing deeply of many things. Many of + <i>my</i> Knights have 'gone before,' but they have not</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"'Left me gazing at a barren board.'</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>"Their monograms are carven on this Table, their memories + abide with us as we drink to <i>Punch's</i> Jubilee, and will + abide when, as I hope, yet another fifty years hence, our + successors drink with equal heartiness to <i>Punch's</i> + Centenary!"</p> + <hr /> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/5.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/5.png" + alt="" /></a>(J. Tenniel. H. Silver. C. Keene. T. + Taylor. F.C. Burnand. R.F. Sketchley.<br /> + H. Mayhew. M. Lemon. Shirley Brooks. Du Maurier. P. Leigh.) + </div> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page6" + id="page6"></a>[pg 6]</span> + + <h3>PAST AND PRESENT.</h3> + + <div class="figleft" + style="width:45%;"> + <a href="images/6-1.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/6-1.png" + alt="IN THE SIXTIES." /></a>IN THE SIXTIES. + </div> + + <div class="figright" + style="width:45%;"> + <a href="images/6-2.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/6-2.png" + alt="IN THE SEVENTIES." /></a>IN THE SEVENTIES. + </div><br /> + + <div class="figleft" + style="width:45%;"> + <a href="images/6-3.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/6-3.png" + alt="IN THE EIGHTIES." /></a>IN THE EIGHTIES. + </div> + + <div class="figright" + style="width:45%;"> + <a href="images/6-4.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/6-4.png" + alt="IN THE NINETIES." /></a>IN THE NINETIES. + </div><br /> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page7" + id="page7"></a>[pg 7]</span> + <a href="images/7.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/7.png" + alt="MR. PUNCH'S JUBILEE PAGEANT." /></a> + + <h3>MR. PUNCH'S JUBILEE PAGEANT.</h3>AS REFLECTED IN HIS + OWN MAGIC MIRROR. + </div> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page9" + id="page9"></a>[pg 9]</span> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/9.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/9.png" + alt="'THE MAHOGANY TREE.'" /></a> + + <h3>"THE MAHOGANY TREE."</h3> + </div> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page11" + id="page11"></a>[pg 11]</span> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/11.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/11.png" + alt="JUBILEE SHADOWS; OR, THE WHIRLIGIGS OF TIME." /> + </a> + + <h3>JUBILEE SHADOWS; OR, THE WHIRLIGIGS OF TIME.</h3> + </div> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page12" + id="page12"></a>[pg 12]</span> + + <h2>ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.</h2> + + <h4>EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.</h4> + + <div class="figleft" + style="width:15%;"> + <a href="images/12-1.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/12-1.png" + alt="'Dizzy,' 1847." /></a>"Dizzy," 1847. + </div> + + <p><i>House of Commons, July 14th, 1891.</i>—Things going + on here much as usual. Rapidly winding up Session amid familiar + surroundings. OLD MORALITY in seat of Leader of the House; Mr. + G. opposite; SPEAKER in Chair; Sergeant-at-Arms on guard by the + door; and WINDBAG SEXTON on his feet.</p> + + <p>Brings back to my mind the first time I saw House. Wasn't in + the House then; a mere puppy, which, indeed, some say I remain + to this day. The date was August the 19th, 1841, and from seat + where Strangers were admitted in the old House (the temporary + building occupied whilst BARRY was erecting this lofty pile) I + looked on at the opening of the first Session of the Fourteenth + Parliament of the then United Kingdom of Great Britain and + Ireland, appointed to meet at Westminster in the fifth year of + the Reign of HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA.</p> + + <div class="figright" + style="width:50%;"> + <a href="images/12-2.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/12-2.png" + alt="'The Sphinx is Silent,' 1876." /></a>"The Sphinx + is Silent," 1876. + </div> + + <p>Remember it as if it were yesterday. It was MELBOURNE's + Ministry; but he of course sat in another place. On the + Treasury Bench, distinctly visible under his hat, was JOHNNY + RUSSELL, Colonial Secretary and Leader of the House of Commons. + At a safe distance from him sat PAM, then in the prime of life, + and at the time holding the post of Foreign Minister, in which + he was able to make a remarkably large number of people + uncomfortable. There was Sir GEORGE GREY, Chancellor of the + Duchy, whilst a sturdily built gentleman, then known as the + Right Hon. THOMAS BABBINGTON MACAULAY, was Secretary for War; + HENRY LABOUCHERE (not the SAGE OF QUEEN ANNE'S GATE) was + President of the Board of Trade, and Master of the Mint; whilst + FRANCIS BARING was Chancellor of the Exchequer, all untroubled + by the necessity of constructing a Budget since he knew he + would never be called on to bring one in.</p> + + <p>On the Front Bench opposite was Sir ROBERT PEEL with JAMES + GRAHAM at his right elbow. In modest retirement at the end of + the Bench sat a young man, of full height, and good figure, + with a mass of black hair crowning a large, well-shaped head. + Remember noticing how carefully the hair was parted down the + middle, in a fashion then unusual with men. His face was + pleasant to look upon, even mild in its expression; but from + time to time, more particularly when he spoke, there flashed + from beneath his dark and bushy eyebrows a pair of eyes that + shone like stars. This was the Mr. G. of those days, whose + highest Ministerial office, as yet, had been the + Under-Secretaryship for the Colonies, held for a few months six + years earlier.</p> + + <div class="figleft" + style="width:18%;"> + <a href="images/12-3.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/12-3.png" + alt="'W.E.G.,' 1860." /></a>"W.E.G.," 1860. + </div> + + <p>Big House on this first night, as Houses were counted then, + when the number of Members was considerably less. First + business was to choose SPEAKER. SHAW-LEFEVRE (not the Member + for Bradford, but a forbear) had been SPEAKER in last + Parliament; re-elected now, PEEL, who, by the lifting of a + finger, could have put his own nominee in the Chair, graciously + consenting.</p> + + <div class="figright" + style="width:50%;"> + <a href="images/12-4.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/12-4.png" + alt="'The Colossus of Words,' 1879." /></a>"The + Colossus of Words," 1879. + </div> + + <p>Of all who filled the House on that night, only two have + seats in the present Parliament—Mr. G., and the humble + person who, by favour of the Electors of Barkshire, is + permitted to pen these lines. (CHRISTOPHER TALBOT, then + represented Glamorganshire, but he just failed to live into + this Jubilee time.) Yet, when I look round on the Benches now, + I see a score of men who bear the names, and are, in many + cases, descendants, of Members who sat in the Parliament that + will ever have a place in history, if only because it was born + in the same year, almost in the same month, as <i>Mr. + Punch</i>. There was a THOMAS DYKE ACLAND, representing + Devonshire; there were two HENEAGES, one representing Devizes, + and the other, EDWARD, sitting for Grimsby, as EDWARD HENEAGE + sits to-day for the same borough. There was a BORTHWICK, Member + for Evesham. There was a PHILIP STANHOPE, Member for Hertford. + STANSFELD sat for Huddersfield, and MARJORIBANKS for Hythe, a + LAWSON for Knaresborough, a BECKETT for Leeds, a CHILDERS for + Malton, a MANNERS for Newark-upon-Trent, having a certain + WILLIAM EWART GLADSTONE for colleague. He was the Lord JOHN, + well known to students of poetry, who now wears a Ducal + coronet.</p> + + <p>Of course there was a SMITH, VERNON by Christian name, + Member for Northampton; a HOULDSWOTH representing + Nottinghamshire, a MACLEAN for Oxford, a HARCOURT for + Oxfordshire—nay, in this happy Parliament there were two + HARCOURTS, GRANVILLE HARCOURT VERNON sitting for East Retford. + A VIVIAN sat for <span class="pagenum"><a name="page13" + id="page13"></a>[pg 13]</span> Penrhyn—HUSSEY VIVIAN's + father, JOHN HENEY, sat in the same Parliament for Swansea. + Lord EBRINGTON sat for Plymouth, and CHARLES RUSSELL for + Reading. ORMSBY GORE represented North Shropshire, long a + possession of his family. The Markiss o' GRANBY sat for + Stamford, with a CLARK for colleague. FREDERICK VILLIERS + (not our present Father) kept the name green at Sudbury, and + there was a WYNDHAM for Sussex. The HENRY LABOUCHERE of + those less lively days sat for Taunton, and Sir ROBERT PEEL, + our SPEAKER's father, for Tamworth. There was a HAYTER, + GOOD-ENOUGH: for Wells, one LOWTHER represented + Westmoreland, and another York. A WALTER LONG sat for North + Wilts, STUART WORTLEY sat for the West Riding, and JAMES + DUFF for Banffshire. We had a BALFOUR for Haddington, and + Lord DALMENY of that day, happier than the present head of + the family, sat in the Commons for Inverkeithing, a place + long since swept off the electoral board. These surnames, + with one or two others I can't recall—yes, there was a + DALRYMPLE for Wigtonshire—are familiar on the Roll of + Parliament to-day.</p> + + <p>Amongst the prominent Members of this Parliament I remember + ROEBUCK sitting; for Bath; and PAKINGTON—then plain JOHN + all unconscious of the coming marvel of a Ten Minutes' Reform + Bill—for Droitwich. STRATFORD CANNING had a seat for + King's Lynn, and MONCKTON' MILNES was Member for Pomfret. JOHN + BRIGHT was not in the House, but RICHARD COBDEN sat for + Stockport, and there was an acidulous person, then known as + RALPH BERNAL, who sat for Wycombe. We knew BERNAL OSBORNE in + many later Parliaments.</p> + + <p>Curious to think how Ireland at this epoch belonged to the + classes! DANIEL O'CONNELL was just in his prime, and, in + addition to himself returned three of his name. SMITH O'BRIEN + was yet far off the cabbage garden, and HENRY GRATTAN sat for + Meath. There is a living image of him now among the busts in + the corridor leading out of the Octagon Hall; a fiery dramatic + speaker in the House, who, as someone said of him at the time, + used in his passion to throw up his arms, bend over till he + touched the floor with his finger-nails, and thank Heaven he + had no gestures. The O'CONNOR DON whom Members younger than I + remember as he sat above the Gangway in the Parliament of 1874, + then represented Roscommon. But for the most part the Irish + Members of those days were Earls, Viscounts, Knights, Baronets, + Honourables and Right Honourables.</p> + + <p>There were, on the Motion for the Address, big debates in + both Houses on this particular night, when I first saw the + SPEAKER in wig and gown. The fate of the Ministry could + scarcely be said to hang in the balance; they knew they were + doomed. In the Lords the shrift was short. Not too late for + dinner, their Lordships divided: "Contents 96, Not Contents + 168," majority against Government 72. I well remember + COVENTRY's speech; worth reciting as a model for these later + days. He followed LANSDOWNE, and House wanted to hear + NORTHAMPTON. When COVENTRY presented himself, fearful row + kicked up. He stood there till silence partially restored, then + he said in deep voice, as who should say "My name + is—Norval,"—</p> + + <div class="figright" + style="width:40%;"> + <a href="images/13-1.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/13-1.png" + alt="'AU REVOIR!'" /></a>"AU REVOIR!" + </div> + + <p>"I am Lord COVENTRY. A few words from me. I think the + country is in a safe state, and I hope to find it placed in the + hands of the Duke of WELLINGTON. My Lords, I hope I have not + detained you."</p> + + <p>Then he sat down.</p> + + <p>In the Commons, debate lasted four days; majority against + Government 91.</p> + + <p>The LABBY of 1841 spoke at length, and was followed by Mr. + D'ISRAELI (he spelt it with an apostrophe in those days): a + good Disraelian ring about the last sentence of his speech.</p> + + <p>"The House," he said, "ought now to act as it had been acted + upon in times when Parliament was unreformed, when DANBY found + himself in a dungeon, and STRAFFORD on a scaffold. Now the + Whigs hold office by abusing the confidence of the Sovereign, + and defying the authority of Parliament."</p> + + <p>After him came the still budding BERNAL OSBORNE, CHARLES + NAPIER, ROEBUCK, JOHNNIE RUSSELL, fighting to the last with his + back to the wall; COBDEN, HENRY GRATTAN, PAM, MILNER GIBSON, + O'CONNELL, PEEL, and Colonel SIBTHORP.</p> + <hr /> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <h3>MR. PUNCH KEEPS HIS EYE ON + CRICKET.</h3><a href="images/13-2.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/13-2.png" + alt="MR. PUNCH KEEPS HIS EYE ON CRICKET." /></a> THEN + (1841) and NOW (1891). + </div> + <hr /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page14" + id="page14"></a>[pg 14]</span> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/14-1.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/14-1.png" + alt="PUNCH PRESENTING YE TENTH VOLUME TO YE QUEENE." /> + </a> + + <h3>PUNCH PRESENTING YE TENTH VOLUME TO YE QUEENE.</h3> + </div>(1846.)] + <hr /> + + <h3>FROM W.M. THACKERAY TO MR. PUNCH. (FEBRUARY, 1849.)</h3> + + <p>MR. PUNCH,—"When the future inquirer shall take up + your volumes, or a bundle of French plays, and contrast the + performance of your booth with that of the Parisian theatre, he + won't fail to remark how different they are, and what different + objects we admire or satirise. As for your morality. Sir, it + does not become me to compliment you on it before your + venerable face; but permit me to say, that there never was + before published in this world so many volumes that contained + so much cause for laughing, and so little for blushing; so many + jokes, and so little harm. Why, Sir, say even that your + modesty, which astonishes me more and more every time I regard + you, is calculated, and not a virtue naturally inherent in you, + that very fact would argue for the high sense of the public + morality among us. We will laugh in the company of our wives + and children; we will tolerate no indecorum: we like that our + matrons and girls should be pure."</p> + <hr /> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:100%;"> + <a href="images/14-2.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/14-2.png" + alt="'ON WE GOES AGAIN!'" /></a>"ON WE GOES AGAIN!" + </div> + <hr class="full" /> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13327 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |