signer of show-cards in water-colour for
commercial houses. He may claim to have introduced, in a small way, a
more clashing style into _Punch_ than had hitherto been seen there; but
though his drawings, especially those on his native politics, were
undeniably clever and very effective, they lacked true artistic quality
and _Punch's_ essential spirit.

[Illustration: E. T. REED.

(_Drawn by Himself._)]

Some sketches signed "C. A. M." were sent in, in 1889, by Mr. C. A.
Marshall, solicitor of Retford, Notts. Their chief merit appeared to be
the excellence of the horse-drawing; but only a couple of them were
accepted, and these were published in the course of the year.

The great arrival of the year was Mr. E. T. Reed, who was to bring a new
form of humour into _Punch_--or, rather, to bring back the old,
rollicking, genuine low-comedy class of fun, more generous and
mirth-provoking than the higher comedy of the day, that aims but to
induce a smile.

His appearance in _Punch_ (on the 8th of June, 1889) was due to the
casual remark of Mr. Linley Sambourne to Mr. Blake Wirgman that the
Editor was looking round for some new man who could do comic work. Mr.
Wirgman suggested their common friend, Mr. Reed, whom, however, Mr.
Sambourne only knew as a painter-student, and the latter promised to
send some of his sketches to Mr. Burnand to look at. The upshot was a
request for a drawing representing "The Parnell Commissioners enjoying
themselves up the River" during a pause in the trial of Parnell _v._ the
"Times." Other drawings, that attracted general attention, followed in
rapid succession. Who that has seen it can forget the "Fancy Portrait"
(by induction) "of my Laundress"--a brawny-armed woman standing over his
shirts, which she belabours with a spike-studded club? or the "Automatic
Policeman" at a crowded crossing, which, when a penny is dropped into
the slot, puts up its arm and stops the traffic? or the "Restored
Skeleton of a Bicyclist," and other "happy thoughts" of that period? It
was obvious that the draughtsman was not a practised artist, although a
skilful amateur; but those who detected the artistic lack of training
forgave it heartily for the genuine fun and originality of a fresh and
delightful kind. Since that time Mr. Reed rapidly developed his
undoubted powers, which, for a young man who did not begin to draw until
he was twenty-three years of age, showed themselves at once to be
remarkable.

Then foll