The Humourous Poetry of the English Language

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the London theaters, Jeames's adventures were dramatized. The "Prose
Novelists" contain burlesque imitations of Bulwer, D'Israeli, Lever,
James, Fennimore Cooper, and Mrs. Gore. The illustrations accompanying
Thackeray's publications in "Punch," are by his own hand, as are also
many other sketches scattered throughout the volumes. They may be
generally distinguished by the insertion of a pair of spectacles in
the corner. His articles, too, frequently bear the signature "SPEC."
Not until the commencement of 1855 did Thackeray relinquish his
connection with "Punch." An allusion to this, from his pen, contained
in an essay on the genius of Leech, and published in the "Westminster
Review," was commented upon very bitterly by Jerrold, in a notice of
the article which appeared in "Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper," of which he
is editor.
During the last five years, other writers, among which may be
enumerated the Mayhew brothers, Mr. Tom Taylor, Angus Reach, and
Shirley Brooks, have found a field for their talents in "Punch.'Only
Jerrold, a'Beckett, and the editor, Mark Lemon, remain of the
original contributors. Its course has been a varied, but perfectly
independent one, generally, however, following the lead of the
almighty "Times," that glory and shame of English journalism, on
political questions. In earlier days it was every way more democratic,
and the continuous ridicule both of pen and pencil directed against
Prince Albert, was said to have provoked so much resentment on the part
of the Queen, that she proposed interference to prevent the artist
Doyle supplying two frescos to the pavilion at Buckingham Palace.
"Punch's" impartiality has been shown by attacks on the extremes and
absurdities of all parties, and there can be little question that it
has had considerable influence in producing political reform, and a
large and liberal advocacy of all popular questions. In behalf of that
great change of national policy, the repeal of the Corn Laws, "Punch"
fought most vigorously, not, however, forgetting to bestow a few raps
of his baton on the shoulders of the Premier whose wisdom or sense of
expediency induced such sudden tergiversation as to bring it about.
O'Connell's blatant and venal patriotism was held up to merited
derision, which his less wary, but more honest followers in agitation,
O'Brien, Meagher, and Mitchell, equally shared. Abolition (or at least
modification) of the Game Laws, and of the penalty of death, found
championship in "Punch," though the latter was summarily dropped upon a
change in public opinion, perhaps mainly induced by one of Carlyle's
"Latter Day" pamphlets. "Punch" has repeatedly experienced (and