The Sun.
London, England, 1842-12-28 00:00:00

THE COMIC ALBUM. Orr, London, 1842.

The "Comic Album,'' like its prototype, the
" Comic Almanac," is
excellently well adapted
for Christmas fire-side reading, for, in the first
place, it is lavishly embellished with a variety of
the most humnurous engravings; and, secondly,
it contains numerous lively articles, in verse as
well as prose, not a few of which—such as the
hits at the Income-tax and the Chinese war—
will he sure to create infinite diversion, if only
by reason of their apt and seasonable character.
Among the Plates, we may single out for special
praise one which is intended to illustrate the
folly, not to say, the danger, of a man supping
off toasted cheese. An unhappy wight who has
thus indulged himself, is roused at midnight by
an abrupt visit from two enormous black rats,
one of whom is perched upon his nightcap, while
the other is peeping inquisitively into his open
mouth, both being attracted by the savoury per-
fume of the sleeper's breath. The animals look
wondrously curious and determined, and the one
who is squatted on the gentleman's nightcap,
seems strongly disposed to lean forward, and
snatch a hasty mouthful from his nose. " A
Great Card" represents a Professor of Dental
Surgery
modes..
lo drawing his patient's teeth, in
aes. In one engraving,
he has got fast hold of a inan's tooth with a bit
variety busied
comicalii
of tough whipcord, and with his leg planted
[
firmly against the sufferer's breast, is tugging
away with all the force he can muster. In an-
other plate, he is punching a fat little gentleman's
tooth down his throat with a boot-jack, evidently
more to his own than his victim's satisfaction.
This series of illustration abounds in extravagant
humour. "Dressing a Duck" is another whim•
sical conceit, and shows us an angry father giving
his infant child a smart slap or two, infinitely to
the annoyance and dismay of the fond mother,
who has no notion of having her " duck dressed"
after that fashion. We have instanced a few of
the best among the Plates, but there are many
others which exhibit much of the grotesque
• amour of Thomas Hood's designs. Of the
and verse, we may say—as is generally the
Pros'
though the quiz on the Income-tax
case—t.*sat the prose, on the whole, is the most
g'
-is amiss, and the 6, Life and Adven-
no mea.
Cru-o "
on e contain one or two
tares of Robiu-
not unworthy of Ingoldsby. We
ludicrous imaged
eisnbteyrtaim..7
amusing noem, entitled " A Modern
quote an ll.
Morning Conversation'

DAUGHTER.
My dear mamma! 'tis most unkind !
Why teaze me thus to wed the earl ?
Who is so very lame and blind—
Besides, too old for any girl !
MAMMA.
Remember, love, few girls can choose
pron.,r 1
Rank, title, wealth, and power,
Become a countess, ne'er refuse
Your hand to him, but take his offer.
DAUGHTER.
I're I'd relinquish Captain Gray,
Olt ! ra prefer a maiden's grave !
I'd rather plunge beneath yOn wave.
MAMMA.
That -ere to "throw yourself away!"
Come, be a good obedientgirl,
And say that :ron'll accept the earl.
DAUGHTER.
Can I subdue my fond regrets,
And leave dear coftin,l
lllP:rry lonely ?
Whose income, like hi many debts,
Is limited to half-pay only.
To hear you talk in such a way
Excites my pity and derision.
DAUGHTER.
I'd rather starve with llarry Gray,
Than I'd enjoy the earl's—provision !
You'll oven the captain is not lame,
-We wan,!, no carriages, 'tis clear ;
I'df.%)//ow hict through scorn and shame.-
MAMMA.
A constant mt..rch throughout the
year t
DArcitiamt.
Harry's not blind, nl/4.11. (leaf; nor yet
Will I prove false, wba t4ier befall!

MAMMA. -
He very blindly ran in debt;
He's very deaf when tradesf6;llc call!
Consider, love! my own dear girl
For him would you reject an ear 1?

DA UG lITER.
Why, he's so monstrous deaf aui 1 old,
I scarce made out a word he n ',uttered !