The times., 1898-10-09
contributions 10 Punch.

The latest volume in the new edition
/ of Thackeray's works contains the great
| novelst's contributions to Punch, viz:
! Miss Tickletoby's Lectures on English
! History" Papers by the Fat Contribu-
! tor, THE History of the Next French
Revolution" Little Travels and Roadside
Sketches, - ''The Book of Snobs," NOV
els by Eminent Hands, Sketches and
Travels in London "A Little Dinner at
| Timmins'," ," "Caricatures'' and some mis-
cellaneous sketches and poems. There is
a portrait of Thackeray. from a drawing
by Samuel Lawrence, which forms the
frontispiece, and the rest of the iIlustra-
tiOns are by the author.
Mrs. Ritchie's characterization of Mr.
Punch in the introduction is a happy
bit of work. Commenting upon the fact
that much of her fathers best work was
associated with the name of that paper,
she says:
Even in these, times Punch is still mighty
pe-sonage; not only the Punchinello Of the peep
show, but somebody TO be considered 10 be trust
ed-a being merry and philosophical wise and
not afraid, sort Of TRANSPORTED Socrates From
the days when, children, we used TO paint Mr.
Punch and his nose and his hump and try ex-
periments in various colors upon his buttons, to
the present hour, when he lies unornamented in
black and white upon the table he seems the
same little friendly. unchanging prCsence-a sort
OF immortal. like King Arthur or Hercules a gen
ueman among jokers, Hamlet was or Prince
Hal, dignifed and self-respecting even in his
capers.
Punch should certainly be reckoned as one of
the demi-gods, these mighty, but intangible
presenees who cGme joining in the fray of battle
now on one side, now the other, taking part
with the mortals, interested in their success and
cheering and encouraging them to make a good
fight
That paragraph might almost have been
Ihackeray's own 1t has the delicacy of
touch, the genial, sportive fancy, which
was characteristic of his work This
characteristic he seems to have impart-
ed, not only to the writing of his daugh-
ter, but to the style of one or two other
writers of his time. Du Maurier is not
quite all du Maurier A little portion of
his soul is Thackeray reincarnated.
OF the period in Thackeray's life when
his contributions to Punch" were most
frequent QS4S-'5D, Mrs. Ritchie says:
As preface to his interesting book. Mr.. Smell
mann gives picture Of the mahogany tree nj
which my father used to sit with his good friends
ear after year, week after week. the little square
invitations came regularly, with their quaint
printed notice Of Five O'Clock sharp In after
days, on one solemn occasion Mr. Punch came TO
dine at our house in Onslow Square, and the sill
yer bowl was put out, and our own Punch's nose
rubbed up for the occasion.
My fathers well-deseUod tribute to Punch will
be remembered. There never were before pub
lished in this world many volumes that CON
tanned so much cause for laughing so little for
blushing! 1t is 50 easy to be witty and wicked
so hard TO be witty and wise!''
All the writers of Punch have carved their
names in turn upon the mahogany tree''
''t is on record" says Mr.. Spielmann chow
Douglas Jerrold would go radiant to the dinner
when Mrs. Csudle sending up Punch's circula- |
ton Thackeray, too first tasted the delights of
wide popularity in the success of his 'Snoh Pa
pers' and showed the pleasure felt in his de
meanor at the board" Mr. Spielmann quotes that
beautiful euogy on my fathers death, which was |
written for Punch by Mr.. Shirley Brooks:
''His heart wide open 10 all kindly thought,
His hand so quick TO give, his tongue to praise"
The poem of the Mahogany Tree" was nub |
lished in January, 1877:
Here let sport,
Boys, sit,
Laughter and wit
Flashing so free;
Life is but short
When We are gone
Let them sing on,
Round the old tree"
The lines almost like wind playing in the |
leaves OF the branches overhead.
me introduction concludes with let
ter from Thackeray to DR.. John Brown
apropos of ''the little silver Punch from
Edinburgh" subscribed for by friends
and readers in that city.
ls Young Street, Kensington Square,
May II, 184S.
My Dear Sir: The arms and the man arrived in
safety yesterday, and | am glad to know the
names OF the eighty Edinburgh friends who have
aiken such kind method OF showing their good |
VIII toward me. II you grati i am grafton
such tokens of regard and sympathy are very
precious to writer like myself, who has some
iiffculty still in making people understand what
ron have been good enough to find in Edinburgh |
that under the mask satirical there walks about
sentimental gentleman who means not unkindly
o any mortal person. l see exactly the |
anne expression under the visard OF my little |
riend in silver, and hope some day to shake the
Whole octogini by the hand, gratos and gratas.
md thank them for their friendiiness and regard |
think had best say more on the subject
est ] should be tempted into some enthusiastic
'Titing, Of which / afraid. / assure you |