became celebrated for its uncompromising religious tone, and, as Mr. James Grant truly says, for the earliness and accuracy of its politico-ecclesiastical information.

Hamilton, of West Ham Common, the first secretary of the Alliance Insurance Company. Among their supporters were Henry Law, Dean of Gloucester, and Francis Close, afterwards Dean of Carlisle. Amongst its earliest writers was Dr. The old church of St. Bride (Bridget) was of (now Cardinal) John Henry Newman, of Oxford. great antiquity. As early as 1235 we find a turbuThe paper was all but dying when a new "whip" lent foreigner, named Henry de Battle, after slaying

was made for money, and the Rev. Henry Blunt, | one Thomas de Hall on the king's highway, flying of Chelsea, became for a short time its editor. The Record at last began to flourish and to assume a bolder and a more independent tone. Dean Milman's neology, the peculiarities of the Irvingites, and the dangerous Oxford Tracts, were alternately denounced in it. In due course the Record began to appear three times a week, and

for sanctuary to St. Bride's, where he was guarded by the aldermen and sheriffs, and examined in the church by the Constable of the Tower. The murderer, after confessing his crime, abjured the realm. In 1413 a priest of St. Bride's was hung for an intrigue in which he had been detected. William Venor, a warden of the Fleet Prison, added

living. Here, ever since 1841, the pleasant jester of Fleet Street has scared folly by the jangle of his bells and the blows of his staff. The best and most authentic account of the origin of Punch is to be found in the following communication to Notes and Queries, September 30, 1870. Mr. W. H. Wills, who was one of the earliest contributors to Punch, says:

Physiology of the London Medical Student.' The writers already named, with a few volunteers selected from the editor's box, filled the first volume, and belonged to the ante-' B. & E.' era of Punch's history. The proprietary had hitherto consisted of Messrs. Henry Mayhew, Lemon, Coyne, and Landells. The printer and publisher also held shares, and were treasurers. Although the popularity of Punch exceeded all expectation, the first volume ended in difficulties. From these storm-tossed seas Punch was rescued and brought into smooth water by Messrs. Bradbury & Evans, who acquired the copyright and organised the staff. Then it was that Mr. Mark Lemon was appointed sole editor, a new office having been created for Mr. Henry Mayhew-that of Suggestor-in-Chief; Mr. Mayhew's contributions, and his felicity in inventing pictorial and in 'putting' verbal witticisms, having already set a deep mark upon Punch's success. The second volume started merrily. Mr. John Oxenford contributed his first jeu d'esprit in its final number on ' Herr Döbler and the Candle-Counter.' Mr. Thackeray commenced his connection in the beginning of the third volume with Miss Tickletoby's Lectures on English History,' illustrated by himself. A few weeks later a handsome young student returned from Germany. He was heartily welcomed by his brother, Mr. Henry Mayhew, and then by the rest of the fraternity. Mr. Horace Mayhew's diploma joke consisted, I believe, of Questions addressées au Grand Concours aux Elèves d'Anglais du Collége St. Badaud, dans le Département de la Haute Cockaigne' (vol. iii., p. 89). Mr. Richard Doyle, Mr. Tenniel, Mr. Shirley Brooks, Mr. Tom Taylor, and the younger celebrities who now keep Mr. Punch in vigorous and jovial vitality, joined his establishment after some of the birth-mates had been drafted off to graver literary and other tasks."

6

"The idea of converting Punch from a strolling to a literary laughing philosopher belongs to Mr. Henry Mayhew, former editor (with his schoolfellow Mr. Gilbert à Beckett) of Figaro in London. The first three numbers, issued in July and August, 1841, were composed almost entirely by that gentleman, Mr. Mark Lemon, Mr. Henry Plunkett (Fusbos'), Mr. Stirling Coyne, and the writer of these lines. Messrs. Mayhew and Lemon put the numbers together, but did not formally dub themselves editors until the appearance of their 'Shilling's Worth of Nonsense.' The cartoons, then 'Punch's Pencillings,' and the smaller cuts, were drawn by Mr. A. S. Henning, Mr. Newman, and Mr. Alfred Forester ('Crowquill'); later, by Mr. Hablot Browne and Mr. Kenny Meadows. The designs were engraved by Mr. Ebenezer Landells, who occupied also the important position of capitalist.' Mr. Gilbert à Beckett's first contribution to Punch, 'The Abovebridge Navy,' appeared in No. 4, with Mr. John Leech's earliest cartoon, Foreign Affairs.' It was not till Mr. Leech's strong objection to treat political subjects was overcome, that, long after, he began to illustrate Punch's pages regularly. This he did, with the brilliant results that made his name famous, down to his untimely death. The letterpress description of 'Foreign Affairs' was written by Mr. Percival Leigh, who-also after an interval steadily contributed. Mr. Douglas Jerrold began to wield Punch's baton in No. 9. His 'Peel Regularly Called in' was the first of those withering political satires, signed with a 'J' in the corner of each page opposite to the cartoon, that conferred on Punch a wholesome influence in politics. Mr. Albert Smith made his debut in this wise-At the birth of Punch had just died a periodical called (I think) the Cosmorama. When moribund, Mr. Henry Mayhew was called in to resuscitate it. This periodical bequeathed a comic census-paper filled up, in the character of a show- A pamphlet attributed to Mr. Blanchard conveys, man, so cleverly that the author was eagerly sought after all, the most minute account of the origin of at the starting of Punch. He proved to be a Punch. A favourite story of the literary gossipers medical student hailing from Chertsey, and signing who have made Mr. Punch their subject from time the initials A. S.-'only,' remarked Jerrold, two- to time, says the writer, is that he was born in a thirds of the truth, perhaps.' This pleasant sup- tavern parlour. The idea usually presented to the position was, however, reversed at the very first public is, that a little society of great men used to introduction. On that occasion Mr. Albert meet together in a private room in a tavern close Smith left the 'copy' of the opening of 'The to Drury Lane Theatre. The truth is this:

Mr. Mark Lemon remained editor of Punch from 1841 till 1870, when he died. His successor was Shirley Brooks, whose reign lasted till his death in 1876. Mr. Gilbert à Beckett, who died at Boulogne in 1856, succeeded in the more varied kinds of composition, turning with extraordinary rapidity from a Times leader to a Punch epigram.

In the year 1841 there was a printing-office in a court running out of Fleet Street-No. 3, Crane Court-wherein was carried on the business of Mr. Joseph William Last. It was here that Punch first saw the light. The house, by the way, enjoys besides a distinction of a different kind-that of being the birthplace of "Parr's Life Pills;" for Mr. Herbert Ingram, who had not at that time launched the Illustrated London News, nor become a member of Parliament, was then introducing that since celebrated medicine to the public, and for that purpose had rented some rooms on the premises of his friend Mr. Last.

joke about the "Lemon" in it. Henry Mayhew, with his usual electric quickness, at once flew at the idea, and cried out, "A good thought; we'll call it Punch." It was then remembered that, years before, Douglas Jerrold had edited a Penny Punch for Mr. Duncombe, of Middle Row, Holborn, but this was thought no objection, and the new name was carried by acclamation. It was agreed that there should be four proprietors-Messrs. Last, Landells, Lemon, and Mayhew. Last was to supply the printing, Landells the engraving, and Lemon and Mayhew were to be co-editors. George Hodder, with his usual good-nature, at once secured The circumstance which led to Punch's birth was Mr. Percival Leigh as a contributor, and Leigh simple enough. In June, 1841, Mr. Last called brought in his friend Mr. John Leech, and Leech upon Mr. Alfred Mayhew, then in the office of his brought in Albert Smith. Mr. Henning designed father, Mr. Joshua Mayhew, the well-known solicitor, the cover. When Last had sunk £600, he sold his of Carey Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields. Mr. May- share to Messrs. Bradbury and Evans, on receiving hew was Mr. Last's legal adviser, and Mr. Last the amount of his then outstanding liabilities. At was well acquainted with several of his sons. the transfer, Henning and Newman both retired, Upon the occasion in question Mr. Last made Mr. Coyne and Mr. Grattan seldom contributed, some inquiries of Mr. Alfred Mayhew concerning his brother Henry, and his occupation at the time. Mr. Henry Mayhew had, even at his then early age, a reputation for the high abilities which he afterwards developed, had already experience in various departments of literature, and had exercised his projective and inventive faculties in various ways. If his friends had heard nothing of him for a few months, they usually found that he had a new design in hand, which was, however, in many cases, of a more original than practical character. Mr. Henry Mayhew, as it appeared from his brother Alfred's reply, was not at that time engaged in any new effort of his creative genius, and would be open to a proposal for active service.

and Messrs. Mayhew and Landells also seceded.

Mr. Hine, the artist, remained with Punch for many years; and among other artistic contributors who "came and went," to use Mr. Blanchard's own words, we must mention Birket Foster, Alfred Crowquill, Lee, Hamerton, John Gilbert, William Harvey, and Kenny Meadows, the last of whom illustrated one of Jerrold's earliest series, "Punch's Letters to His Son." Punch's Almanac for 1841 was concocted for the greater part by Dr. Maginn, who was then in the Fleet Prison, where Thackeray has drawn him, in the character of Captain Shandon, writing the famous prospectus for the Pall Mall Gazette. The earliest hits of Punch were Douglas Jerrold's articles signed "J." and Gilbert à Beckett's Having obtained Mr. Henry Mayhew's address, "Adventures of Mr. Briefless." In October, 1841, which was in Clement's Inn, Mr. Last called upon Mr. W. H. Wills, afterwards working editor of Housethat gentleman on the following morning, and hold Words and All the Year Round, commenced opened to him a proposal for a comic and satirical" Punch's Guide to the Watering-Places." In journal. Henry Mayhew readily entertained the January, 1842, Albert Smith commenced his lively idea; and the next question was, "Can you get up" Physiology of London Evening Parties," which a staff?" Henry Mayhew mentioned his friend Mark Lemon as a good commencement; and the pair proceeded to call upon that gentleman, who was living, not far off, in Newcastle Street, Strand. The almost immediate result was the starting of Punch.

At a meeting at the "Edinburgh Castle" Mr. Mark Lemon drew up the original prospectus. It was at first intended to call the new publication "The Funny Dog," or "Funny Dog, with Comic Tales," and from the first the subsidiary title of the "London Charivari" was agreed upon. At a subsequent meeting at the printing-office, some one made some allusion to the "Punch," and some

were illustrated by Newman; and he wrote the "Physiology of the London Idler," which Leech illustrated. In the third volume, Jerrold commenced "Punch's Letters to His Son;" and in the fourth volume, his "Story of a Feather;" Albert Smith's "Side-Scenes of Society" carried on the social dissections of the comic physiologist, and à Beckett began his "Heathen Mythology," and created the character of "Jenkins," the supposed fashionable correspondent of the Morning Post. Punch had begun his career by ridiculing Lord Melbourne; he now attacked Brougham, for his temporary subservience to Wellington; and Sir

James Graham came also in for a share of the rod; and the Morning Herald and Standard were christened "Mrs. Gamp" and "Mrs. Harris," as oldfogyish opponents of Peel and the Free-Traders. À Beckett's "Comic Blackstone" proved a great hit, from its daring originality; and incessant jokes were squibbed off on Lord John Russell, Prince Albert (for his military tailoring), Mr. Silk Buckingham and Lord William Lennox, Mr. Samuel Carter Hall and Mr. Harrison Ainsworth. Tennyson once, and once only, wrote for Punch, a reply to Lord Lytton (then Mr. Bulwer), who had coarsely attacked him in his "New Timon," where he had spoken flippantly of

"A quaint farrago of absurd conceits,

Out-babying Wordsworth and out-glittering Keats."

The epigram ended with these bitter and contemptuous lines,—

"A Timon you? Nay, nay, for shame!

It looks too arrogant a jest

That fierce old man-to take his name,
You bandbox! Off, and let him rest."

additions to the staff were Mr. Shirley Brooks and Mr. Tom Taylor, now its editor.

The Dispatch (No. 139, north) was established by Mr. Bell, in 1801. Moving from Bride Lane to Newcastle Street, and thence to Wine Office Court, it settled down in the present locality in 1824. Mr. Bell was an energetic man, and the paper succeeded in obtaining a good position; but he was not a man of large capital, and other persons had shares in the property. In consequence of difficulties between the proprietors there were at one time three Dispatches in the field— Bell's, Kent's, and Duckett's; but the two lastmentioned were short-lived, and Mr. Bell maintained his position. Bell's was a sporting paper, with many columns devoted to pugilism, and a woodcut exhibiting two boxers ready for an encounter. the editor (says a story more or less authentic), Mr. Samuel Smith, who had obtained his post by cleverly reporting a fight near Canterbury, one day received a severe thrashing from a famous member of the ring. This changed the editor's opinions as to the propriety of boxing-at anyrate pugilism was repudiated by the Dispatch about 1829; and boxing, from the Dispatch point of view, was henceforward treated as a degrading and brutal amusement, unworthy of our civilisation.

But

Albert Smith left Punch many years before his death. In 1845, on his return from the East, Mr. Thackeray began his "Jeames's Diary," and became a regular contributor. Gilbert à Beckett was now beginning his "Comic History of England" and Mr. Harmer (afterwards Alderman), a solicitor in Douglas Jerrold his inimitable "Caudle Lectures." extensive practice in Old Bailey cases, became Thomas Hood occasionally contributed, but his connected with the paper about the time when the immortal "Song of the Shirt" was his chef-d'œuvre. Fleet Street office was established, and contributed Coventry Patmore contributed once to Punch; capital, which soon bore fruit. The success was his verses denounced General Pellisier and his so great, that for many years the Dispatch as a cruelty at the caves of Dahra. Laman Blanchard property was inferior only to the Times. It beoccasionally wrote; his best poem was one on the came famous for its letters on political subjects. marriage and temporary retirement of charming The original "Publicola" was Mr. Williams, a Mrs. Nisbett. In 1846 Thackeray's "Snobs of violent and coarse but very vigorous and popular England" was highly successful. Richard Doyle's writer. He wrote weekly for about sixteen or "Manners and Customs of ye English" brought seventeen years, and after his death the signature Punch much increase. The present cover of was assumed by Mr. Fox, the famous orator and Punch was designed by Doyle, who, being a zealous member for Oldham. Other writers also borrowed Roman Catholic, left Punch when it began to the well-known signature. Eliza Cook wrote in the ridicule the Pope and condemn "Papal Aggression." Dispatch in 1836, at first signing her poems "E.” Funch in his time has had his raps, but not many and not hard ones. Poor Angus B. Reach (whose mind went early in life), with Albert Smith and Shirley Brooks, ridiculed Punch in the Man in the Moon; and in 1847 the Poet Bunn-" Hot, cross Bunn "--provoked at incessant attacks on his operatic verses, hired a man of letters to write "A Word with Punch," and a few smart personalities soon silenced the jester. "Towards 1848," says Mr. Blanchard, "Douglas Jerrold, then writing plays and editing a magazine, began to write less for Punch." In 1857 he died. Among the later

and "E. C."; but in the course of the following year her name appeared in full. She contributed a poem weekly for several years, relinquishing her connection with the paper in 1850. Afterwards, in 1869, when the property changed hands, she wrote two or three poems. Under the signature "Caustic," Mr. Serle, the dramatic author and editor, contributed a weekly letter for about twenty-seven years; and from 1856 till 1869 was editor-in-chief. In 1841-42 the Dispatch had a hard-fought duel with the Times. "Publicola " wrote a series of letters, which had the effect of preventing the