New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-01-15
MR. PUNCH'S VAGARIES.
SOME SPECIMENS OF A NEW STYLE OF
PERSONALITIES.

PERSONALITIES.
Iron THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIsUSE.l
LONDON, December 20.
People are beginning TO ask what is the matter
with Punch and what has become of the good
bumor which used to he one of It's many delightful
characteristics. The one comic journal OF England
which formerly overlooked with sweetness as we'll
as light seems to be rapidly turning sour. MI
Burnand, who now controls it, is in many points an
excellent editor. but he makes some mistakes; aud
among them the grave one of supposing that in
SEPARATION for the pages of journal which still calls
itself the London Chsrvar is to be sought in the
spirit of Timon In many recent numbers are to be
found attacks OH individuals of exceedingly
bitter and acrimonious temper Mr. Oscar Wilde
has been singled out fer censure. l am not con-
cerned to defend Mr. Oscar Wilde whom you will
soon Judge for yourselves Mr. Burnand is known
as an opponent of the aesthetic school OF which Mr.
Wilde is supposed, enormously, 10 DC ohlei
apostle Mr.. William Morris. Mr. Burne Jones' Mr
Rossetti and Others are leaders in the school ii
anybody is to be attacked they might be Attacked
with decency and not rancorouslv Punch mas
always taken liberties with individuals. but in it's
best days an honest and manly laugh might
always be heard In its satire; not sheer OF
snaTl. There nothing malignant in Its re
proaches There is nothing to-day IN tho best part
of the paper: in Mr. Tenniels powerful cartoons
or IN Mr.. Du Maurier's genial banter Of social
follIes But where is the humor in calling the
Duke of Bedford the Duke of Mudtord. and in
abusive paragraphs touching his contest about the
payment of rates on Covent Garden' The Ques-
ton is legal one. and Punch has not heretofore
cared to figure as a vestryman's organ.
To take a single number. and the latest,-there
are in this weeks Punch personal attacks on five or
SIX people, some of whom become standing
targets for Mr.. Burnand's dislike. Sir William
IIarcOurt is lie is Home Secretary. Mr. bur
nand keeps line in type for him as the Seldom-at-
Home Secretary; good enough Joke for once. but
not 80 exciting when you have read it Tor the
twentieth time. Sir William iarcourt Is generally
thought To be the al lest and most efficient OF recent
Home Secretaries. His remarkable success in this
dffcHlt Office which requires tact and temper as
we'll as ability. has undoubtedly surprised sir
William IIarcOury hnsclf and some of his friends
Il seems to have angered Mr.. Burnand. He has
assaulted Sir william on every occasion. THIS week
be falls foul of him on account of the theatres, and
the danger the public from imperfect precautions
against fires. 1t Is not alleged that the Home
Secretary has authority to mend matters. Mr.
Burnand wishes HIM to get authority from Parla-
ment and encourages him by remarking: 10 re-
mains To Lee seen Sir whether you can spare lime
from the regulation of the Universe, and bring your
acknowl lodged intellect to bear on what one day
will turn out to he a burning question. BE warned
before if il too late" Tins lofty admOnition is
good enough specimen of style which Mr.. Bur
nand has mucn used of late 1t is he and not Sir
William Harcourt who is most occupied IN the
regulation of the Universe.
Mr. Blaine is the next victim. Mr.. Blaine cannot
he surprised that he should ne unpopular at this
moment in England But whether Mr.. Punchs
verses on the Secretary of State keep within the
License allowed a public jester each reader of the
following elegant etusion may determine for hlm
self