The Sun.
London, England, 1850-12-24 00:00:00

PUNCH'S ALMANACK FOR 1851.

___ • _
In consequence of the recent withdrawal of Richard
Do) le from his important share in the illustration of
the "14-mdon Cnarivari," John Leech has had to
t.:x his pencil of merriment to the very utter-
most. All but the first page, emblematic
of the twelve months, is the produce of this one
artie, unaided in any, except the literary, department.
Although, occasionally, we cannot but perceive signs
of the exaggeration consequent on an exhaustion
of drollery from over-work, several of the comic
illustrations are really capital, as for instance the in-
dignant lock of the little boy, who is shown bis bed
in the chest of drawers. There is a certain similarity
betwrcn the notion of this "cut," and of the drawing
by Michael Angelo Titmarbh," Schlafen sie wohl" in
Mr. Ttiackeray's new book about the Kicklebur3s.
Mr. Briggs on his shooting pony, on the first of Sr p-
tember, is a glorious conceit, as are likewise those
relating to the possible consequences of the next
year's Exhibition. Several of the minor literary wit-
ticisms, moreover, are especially ludicrous, such for
example as the inquiry " How many clods make a
wiseacre," or :he remark referring to hats, "It is a
significant sign of the times, that the wide-awake is
superseding the nap." in short, Mr. Punch has
ftiled in est:ailing many of his previous achieve-
ments of a like kind, he has, nevertheless, produced
for 1851 a very quaint and humorous almanack.

THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON .'NEWS.
A Christmas number of the illustrated London News
can never fail to arrest our observation, more espe-
cially vi hen it comes before us, like the present, in-
vested with such a variety of attractions. Here we
have, for instance, besides a diversity of other good
things, a ballad, "Smile Old Winter," the words by
kay, and the music by Blewitt ; an exquisite
prologue to a "Masque," by 13arry Cornwall; an ad-
mirable song about Christmastide, from the pen of
Mary Howitt ; a story els Jut "The Sick Giant and
Doctor D varf," by Douglas Jerrold, with illustra-
tions by NVilliam Harvey ; together with other en-
gravings drawn by Foster, Mehony, Weir, Phiz,
Gilbert, Duncan, Leech, and Crowquill. o.her
literary contributors of note figure, moreover, in the
(It coratien of this magnificent gift number of the
illustrsted.liewsp' Iper—uch men as John Timbs, as
Montana, ts John Oxenford, and various others too
numerous to particularise. One of the most excellent
of all the illustrations is the picture of the "Cross-
boy's Luncheon," by Hablot Knight Brown, the in-
ccuiparable "Phiz." Duncan's sketch of the "Road-
side Scene," and Leech's sketch of "The Lonely
Bichelor," are also admirable. The entire Christmas
number is a splendid evid:-nce of enterprise.

THE CONTESTED WARDS.
The following is the result of the cl.c.,ion for Corr-
mon Councilmen in the contested wards of the city if
London, yesterday :
The new candidates are distirguished by an as-
terisk (*).
BILLINGSGATE (Eight Mcmber4—Mr. Phillippr, 100 ;
Mr. Bowes, 89; Mr. Williams, 88; Mr. Curling (deputy),
84; Mr. Roberts 83; Mr. Knell, 80; Mr. Cruston, 78;
Mr. Bunts, 77; *Mr. G.bls, 56; "Mr. Graves, 51.
CASTLE BAYNARD (Eight). —Mr. Hicks (deputy ), 98;
Mr. Muggtridge, 98; Mr. Cbtlin, 96; Mr. Barber, 95;
Mr. Bailey, 95 ; Mr. Hoppe, 92; Mr. Farrar, 88;
Mr. A. Adieu!, 88; *Mr. C. Haekins, 37; *Mr. T.
Parker, 30.
CuEAP (Eigls!) —Mr. Watson, 199 ; Mr. Barnes, 99;
Mr. Pearl, 94 ; Mr. Hickson, 93 ; Mr. Oliver, 93 ; Mr.
Penning (deputy), 90 ; Mr. Houghton, 89; Mr. Thorp,
86; "Mr. Bennett, 48; 'Mr. Stewart, 39.
FM-MINCE 'N WITHIN (FOULUCE). Mr. Eagleton
(deputy), 186 ; Mr. Holt, 195 ; Mr. M'Gregor, 161 ;
Mr. Virtue, 161 ; Mr. M•Lauchlan, 152 ; Mr. B. S.
Phillips., 151 ; Mr. C. Phillips, 151 ; Mr. Heaps, 151 ;
Mr. B:alte, 142 ; Mr. Butter, 152 ; Mr. Young, 144 ;
Mr. Morris, 136 ; Mr. Humphreys, 133 ; Mr. Nichol•
son, 130 ; Mr. Wheekr, 129 ; Mr. Hartley, 83.
FARRINGWN WITH )LIT ixtion).—The two Dew
candidates were rrjectA, Clemow polling 195 only,
and Mas•erman, 35. Lees, the lowest on the poll of
the old members of the Common Council, obtained 214
PORTSCKEN (Eight).—Messrs. VII; Dav:es, and
Annh., the new cand.dates were all returned. Mr.
Jutsum, a former member, was rejected.