MISCELLANEOUS

CONTRIBUTIONS TO "PUNCH"

(ARRANGED CHRONOLOGICALLY)

MR. SPEC'S REMONSTRANCE

FROM THE DOOR STEPS.

IR,-Until my Cartoons are exhibited, I am in an exceedingly uncomfortable state. I shall then have about fourteen hundred pounds (the amount of the seven first prizes), and but a poor reward for the pains and care which I have bestowed on my pieces.

Meanwhile how am I to exist?-how, I say, is an historical painter to live? I despise humour and buffoonery, as unworthy the aim of a great artist. But I am hungry, Sir,-HUNGRY! Since Thursday, the 13th instant, butcher's meat has not passed these lips, and then 'twas but the flap of a shoulder of mutton, which I ate coldcold, and without pickles,-icy cold, for 'twas grudged by the niggard boor at whose table I condescended to

sit down.

That man was my own cousin-Samuel Spec, the eminent publisher of Ivy Lane; and by him and by all the world I have been treated with unheard-of contumely. List but to a single instance of his ingratitude!

I need not ask if you know my work, "Illustrations of

Aldgate Pump." All the world knows it. It is published in elephant folio, price seventy guineas, by Samuel Spec before mentioned; and many thousands of copies were subscribed for by the British and Foreign nobility.

Nobility!-why do I say Nobility?-KINGS, Sir, have set their august signatures to the subscription list. Bavaria's Sovereign has placed it in the Pinakothek. The Grecian Otho (though I am bound to say he did not pay up) has hung it in the Parthenon-in the Parthenon! It may be seen on the walls of the Vatican, in the worthy company of Buonarroti and Urbino, and figures in the gilded saloons of the Tuileries, the delight of Delaroche and Delacroix.

From all these Potentates, save the last, little has been received in return for their presentation-copies but unsubstantial praise. It is true the King of Bavaria wrote a sonnet in acknowledgment of the "Illustrations;" but I do not understand German, Sir, and am given to understand by those who do, that the composition is but a poor one. His Holiness the Pope gave his blessing, and admitted the publisher to the honour of kissing his great toe. But I had rather have a beefsteak to my lips, any day of the week; and "Fine words," as the poet says, "butter no parsnips." Parsnips!-I have not even parsnips to butter.

His Majesty Louis-Philippe, however, formed a noble exception to this rule of kingly indifference. Lord Cowley, our Ambassador, presented my cousin Spec to him with a copy of my work. The Royal Frenchman received Samuel Spec with open arms in the midst of his Court, and next day, through our Ambassador, offered the author of the "Illustrations" the choice of the

Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour or a snuff-box set with diamonds. I need not say the latter was preferred.

Nor did the monarch's gracious bounty end here. Going to his writing-table, he handed over to the officier d'ordonnance who was to take the snuff-box, a purely artistic memento of his royal good-will. “Go, Count," said he, "to Mr. Spec, in my name, offer him the snuff-box-'tis of trifling value; and at the same time beg him to accept, as a testimony of the respect of one artist for another, my own identical piece of INDIARUBBER."

When Sam came back, I hastened to his house in Ivy Lane. I found him, Sir, as I have said-I found him

eating cold mutton; and so I requested him (for my necessities were pressing) to hand me over the diamond box, and returning to my humble home greedily opened the packet he had given me.

Sir, he kept the box and gave me the india-rubber! 'Tis no falsehood-I have left it at your office, where all the world may see it. I have left it at your office, and with it this letter. I hear the sound of revelry from within the clink of wine-cups, the merry song and chorus. I am waiting outside, and a guinea would be the saving of me.

What shall I do? My genius is tragic-classic-historic -little suited to the pages of what I must call a frivolous and ridiculous publication; but my proud spirit must bend. Did not the MAJESTY OF FRANCE give lessons on Richmond Hill?

I send you a couple of designs-they are not humorous, but simple representations of common life-a lovely child-a young and modest girl, and your unhappy servant, are here depicted. They were done in happier times, and in Saint James's Park. The other is the boy,