The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-24
OBITUARY.
Mark Lemon.

thirty years ago were making their regulations but
whose works have now become classics, died yes
terday in London, at the age Of sixty-one. Mr..
Lemon was of Jewish descent, and he was born in
London on the 3Oth of November, 1902 His firsc
literary efforts were as writer and adapter of plays,
and he had hand In the production OF about sixty
dramatic compositions Of various kinds. Allibone's
"Dictionary OF Authors" and other authorities on
such subjects, state that he the author of the
once popular comedy OF The Serious Family, but
upon what ground we are not aware. French's ed-
ton OF The Serious Family gives Morris Barnett as
the author but in point Of fact it is adapted" Or
in other words, stolen from the French, like most
modern British plays. Its original is a French
comedy entitled I'm Mari Campagne, and 1t is
possible that Mr.. Lemon may have made version
Of it. Mr.. Lemon had great fondness for the
stage, and he frequently performed as an amateur
for charitable purposes. About year ago he under
took the part OF "Falstaf upon the regular boards
and made decided hit, his conception Of the char
acter being pronounced by many OF the
London critics to be superior to that of any
professional actor Of the day. In 1S4l Punch was
started with Mr.. Henry Mayhew as the editor, and
with Douglas Jerrold, W. NJ Thackeray, Thomas
Hood, Albert Smith, Mark Lemon, and
other writers as contributors Lemon was Joint
editor, and on the retirement OF Mayhew two years
afterwards, he became editor in chief, position
which he held up 10 the time OF his death. To Mr.
Lemons skill, judgment, and thorough appreciation
OF the tastes OF the British public the brilliant sue
cess OF Punch was Ia great measure due. 1t Is
true he had brilliant corps of coaborers both in
the literary and art experimentation who have
had no successors, and who are apparently
notWikely to have. In the early numbers of
Punch. Thackeray figured as "The Fat Contribu-
tor" and wrote for it "Jeamess Diary" and "The
Snob Papers :" Jerrold contributed the 80 Papers,"
'The Story OF Feather 4" and the immortal "Caudle
Lectures" In 1914 appeared Hoods "Song OF the
Shirt" and Albert Smith discussed the physiology
n, Dor
London medical student. or the writers who
made the fame OF Punch Charles Dickens is the only
one, we believe. who remains, and MIR. Dickens was
never regular contributor like Jerrod and Thacke-
ray or the artists Richard Doyle still lives and in
the full enjoyment OF his fne powers, although he
has not contributed to Punch for many years, but
John Leech, who did even more than Doyle for the
reputation OF Punch, is dead and he has success
sor any more than Jerrold Thackeray. Punch
has fallen into dsrepute OF late years. but 1t is un-
deniable that it was once power in the land, and
one OF the most influential exponents Of public
opinion. In feeling the pulse of the British public,
and in man9uvring to adapt itself to the ideas
OF the times, the London Times never dis
played half the skill that Punch
did; and although 1t was frequently distinguished
by malicious and mendacious abuse of those who
came under its dislike or rather the dislike OF its
readers, no paper ever published knew better how
to make the amende honorable when it was neces-
sary 10 do so. notable instance of this was given
when the news OF President Lncoln's assassina.
ton was received in England. During the whole or
our great connict Punch had been the bitterest OF
all the Copperhesd organs OF Europe, and Mr.. Lin
coin was made the special object OF rdouls and
abuse. The announcement which was made OF his
DEATH however, the total recantaton Of everything
It had said about him OF offensive character, and
the sincere respect 1t evineed for his many
noble qualities, were apparently 80 sincere that 1t
was impossible not to meet the apoogist half way
and accept his regrets for his past evil deeds. This
but out OF many instances OF the policy that
ruled in the management OF Punch and 1t is one OF
the secrets OF Its success The future OF the publ
cation however, is far from appearing brilliant 1t
has numerous active rivals in the field, some OF
which quite good not better than ITSELF but
comic writers and comic draughtsmen are appa-
renty scarce for the Punch OF to-day is very dull
afair, and now that Mark Lemon has followed
Jerrold Thaokeray, Mayhem, and Hood, 1t may be
said indeed that the old times are dead and that the
hump-backed jester who Tor thirty years has been
cracking everybody and everything over the head
with his bladders had better don his cap and bells
and prepare for his own funeral.
In addition to his writings for Punch and his
dramatic productions, Mr.. Lemon was frequent
contributor to the magazines and periodicals.
number OF his sketches appeared In Household Words
and for many years he oiclated as literary editor OF
the illustrated London EeDs Among his writings
that are known to the public may be mentioned "rhe
Enchanted Doll" fairy tale puDlished III iSss; "A
Christmas Hamper" collection OF stories In prose
and verse; In 1859; "Wait for the End" In 1868;
Legend OF Number Nip and slowed at Last, In
1884; "Falkner Lyle" 'Stsry OF Two Wives" and
leighton Hall and other Tales, In 1866. In add-
ton to these he has edited collection OF jests and
about hundred songs
Mr.. Lemon is said 10 have been man OF genial
disposition and genuine humorist in private life,
and he was held In high esteem by the brilliant
cotere OF literary men with whom he was associated
for so many years.