Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-01-22
ssThe True Story OF Punch,

Mr.. w. Tegg writes to the Athenaum: "I
notice In one OF the 'monthlies' a series of
articles entitled, The True Story OF Punch
While giving credit to the writer for some
amusing information about men and man
ners OF the present period, L observe there is
good deal OF matter in the articles tending
rather 10 lengthen than to elucidate their
progressed object; and IL occurred to me that
the following facts within my own knowl-
edge, however unimportant, may be useful
at some future time, In connecting the vari-
GUS scattered "reminiscences into a more
strictly consecutive history of Punch. In
early life was, from the nature of my busi-
society OF men of letters, artists, engravers
&c, and more especially just before Punch
was started, had frequent occasion to min
gl e IN Ine company OF number of them,
meetings at public house called The Shak-
speare's Head then kept by Mr.. Mark
Lemon, in Wych street, Strand mot in New
castle street, as mentioned by the writer of
True Story OF Punch.) There met Doug
Las Jerrold, the Mayhews, Sterling, Coyne,
and others. The place of meeting was
Every subject of the day was discussed in a
clever and sparkling way, although the con-
yersat ion was little SLOPPY Il was here
Punch was born and first saw the light. The
title and general way of bringing II before
the public were not the suggestions of one
man, but the result OF the united suggestions
consideration 1t was resolved TO form Joint
stock company among themselves, and that
Douglas Jerrold, the Mayhews, Coyne, Mark
Lemon, &c, should supply the literary part
and Bandell and Last the printing, paper
drawing on wood, and engravings. So much
for its start, and now for its second stage
After running short time, and every week
becoming worse and worse, it was decided
TO write TO Thackeray, who was at or about
that time drawing on wood for the London
Figaro, then edited by Gilbert A. Beckett
10 come to its aid. But Thackeray at that
period declined, no cash being fOrthcom-
lDg' And so 1 come TO the third stage.
In q conversation with me one night Mr..
Mark Lemon asked III did not think that
Punch, with ito quote his own words) the
whole lot of editors thrown in, would suit
Mr.. Tegg (my father to purchase-copy-
right, stock, plant, &c. Mr.. Bradbury, Sc
n1or; OF the firm of Bradbury & Evans prin-
tiers, mot publishers, as stated In the articles
nave referred tol, was, in consequence
asked By me TO see Mr.. Tegg respecting the
purchase, which he did, and no better man
could have been selected, as he was in daily
communication with Mr.. Tegg, and on most
friendly terms, the firm of Bradbury az
Evans having nearly all Mr.. Teggs best
printing. The result was that the price was
agreed upon and the transfer nearly COM
pleted, there being one, and only one condi-
item: Mr.. Tegg would not give his sanction
to the Punch weekly dinners Asi to these
he stood out on the principle that entertain
ments at public places, however harmless in
themselves, could not go hand-in-nand with
De separate Afterward Punch was pur-
chased by Messrs. Bradbury & Evans aud
Mr. Mark Lemon was appointed editor.