"On the 12th July, 1880, another great loss befel me. TOM TAYLOR, my third Editor, left that honourable post vacant, after occupying it with credit and distinction for six years. Mr. F.C. BURNAND, author of 'Happy Thoughts,' &c., reigns in his stead. R.F. SKETCHLEY, who had a seat at my Board for several years, resigned it a little later.

"The same year, 1880, saw the introduction of a new Artist, in the person of HARRY FURNISS; and the next introduced HENRY W. LUCY, the 'TOBY' of Mr. Punch's remodelled Essence of Parliament.

"In 1887, the appearance of 'Mr. Punch's Manual for Young Reciters,' gave evidence of the fact that the Author of Vice Versâ, Mr. F. ANSTEY, had joined my Table. He, with R.C. LEHMANN, Author of 'Modern Types,' &c., and E.G. REED, the Artist, are the very latest additions thereto. That Table has, within the last two years, sustained yet two other losses: PERCIVAL LEIGH, last survivor of the 'Old Guard,' dying on 24th October, 1889, whilst, early in the present year, the inimitable CHARLES KEENE, universally acknowledged to be the greatest master of 'Black-and-White' technique who ever put pencil to wood-block, was taken away from me.

"Merely to mention all the bright pens and pencils which have occasionally contributed to my pages, would occupy much space. Amongst Writers may be named MAGUIN HANNAY, STIRLING COYNE, COVENTRY PATMORE, MORTIMER COLLINS, GEORGE AUGUSTUS SALA, ANDREW LANG, JAMES PAYN, and Lord TENNYSON; amongst Artists, HOWARD (whose signature, a trident, was at one time familiar to Punch readers), Miss BOWERS, RALSTON, BRYAN, BARNARD, W.S. GILBERT (who illustrated several of his own articles), CORBOULD, CALDECOTT, RIVIÈRE, H.S. MARKS, FRED WALKER, SIR JOHN MILLAIS, and Sir FREDERICK LEIGHTON.

"The present Staff, Mr. ANNO DOMINI, you may see assembled 'round the old Tree' in the accompanying Cartoon. Around on the walls are the counterfeit presentments of their illustrious and honoured predecessors. My guests, you perceive, are drinking a toast. That toast is, 'Mr. Punch, his health and Jubilee!'"

"In which I am delighted to join!" responded ANNO DOMINI. "Mr. Punch, you must be as proud of your 'Mahogany Tree,' and its many memories, as King ARTHUR of his Table Round."

quoted the Sage, musing deeply of many things. Many of my Knights have 'gone before,' but they have not

"Their monograms are carven on this Table, their memories abide with us as we drink to Punch's Jubilee, and will abide when, as I hope, yet another fifty years hence, our successors drink with equal heartiness to Punch's Centenary!"

(J. Tenniel. H. Silver. C. Keene. T. Taylor. F.C. Burnand. R.F. Sketchley.
H. Mayhew. M. Lemon. Shirley Brooks. Du Maurier. P. Leigh.)

PAST AND PRESENT.

IN THE SIXTIES.

IN THE SEVENTIES.

IN THE EIGHTIES.

IN THE NINETIES.

---

MR. PUNCH'S JUBILEE PAGEANT.

AS REFLECTED IN HIS OWN MAGIC MIRROR.

"THE MAHOGANY TREE."

JUBILEE SHADOWS; OR, THE WHIRLIGIGS OF TIME.

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.

"Dizzy," 1847.

House of Commons, July 14th, 1891.—Things going on here much as usual. Rapidly winding up Session amid familiar surroundings. OLD MORALITY in seat of Leader of the House; Mr. G. opposite; SPEAKER in Chair; Sergeant-at-Arms on guard by the door; and WINDBAG SEXTON on his feet.

Brings back to my mind the first time I saw House. Wasn't in the House then; a mere puppy, which, indeed, some say I remain to this day. The date was August the 19th, 1841, and from seat where Strangers were admitted in the old House (the temporary building occupied whilst BARRY was erecting this lofty pile) I looked on at the opening of the first Session of the Fourteenth Parliament of the then United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, appointed to meet at Westminster in the fifth year of the Reign of HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA.

"The Sphinx is Silent," 1876.

Remember it as if it were yesterday. It was MELBOURNE's Ministry; but he of course sat in another place. On the Treasury Bench, distinctly visible under his hat, was JOHNNY RUSSELL, Colonial Secretary and Leader of the House of Commons. At a safe distance from him sat PAM, then in the prime of life, and at the time holding the post of Foreign Minister, in which he was able to make a remarkably large number of people uncomfortable. There was Sir GEORGE GREY, Chancellor of the Duchy, whilst a sturdily built gentleman, then known as the Right Hon. THOMAS BABBINGTON MACAULAY, was Secretary for War; HENRY LABOUCHERE (not the SAGE OF QUEEN ANNE'S GATE) was President of the Board of Trade, and Master of the Mint; whilst FRANCIS BARING was Chancellor of the Exchequer, all untroubled by the necessity of constructing a Budget since he knew he would never be called on to bring one in.

On the Front Bench opposite was Sir ROBERT PEEL with JAMES GRAHAM at his right elbow. In modest