Punch's Banquet Hall at No. 11, Bouverie Street._

TIME: _Wednesday, March 2nd_, 1859, _six o'clock p.m._

F. M. EVANS W. M. THACKERAY JOHN LEECH HORACE MAYHEW TOM TAYLOR
SHIRLEY BROOKS HENRY SILVER PERCIVAL LEIGH JOHN TENNIEL MARK LEMON

'Turbot and haunch of venison--what a good dinner!' says Tenniel,
reading _menu_. Tantalising to Tom Taylor, who has to dine
elsewhere; and Thackeray leaves early, to go to an 'episcopal
tea-fight,' as he tells us--a jump 'from lively to severe,' to
Fulham Palace from the _Punch_ Table.

[Illustration: 40, Bouverie Street, E.C. July 15th 1871

The pleasure of your company is requested on Wednesday next, the
10th just at half-past Six sharp.

An answer, if unable to come, will oblige.

_PUNCH_ DINNER INVITATION CARD. DRAWN BY G. DU MAURIER.

CHARLES KEENE, R. F. SKETCHLEY, F. C. BURNAND, SHIRLEY BROOKS, TOM
TAYLOR, HORACE MAYHEW, PERCIVAL LEIGH G. DU MAURIER, JOHN TENNIEL]

Tom merely looks in 'to hear what you fellows say about the Reform
Bill,' which Dizzy introduced on Monday. So we begin discussing politics
even with the venison. 'Ponny' Mayhew condemns the Bill: does nothing
for the working man, he says. Tom thinks that people look to _Punch_ for
guidance, and that we ought to be plain-speaking, and take a decided
course. 'Professor' Leigh and Mark agree in thinking that we rather
should stand by awhile, and see how the stream runs. All seem of opinion
that Walpole acted as a man of honour in resigning, not being rich
enough to make money of no matter to him.

'Seria mista jocis' being Mr. Punch's motto (though it never has been
sanctioned by the Heralds' College), Shirley, apropos of money, asks,
'Why is Lord Overstone like copper?' 'Because he is a Lloyd with tin.'
Whereat Thackeray laughs heartily.

[Illustration: ARTHUR A BECKETT'S INITIALS.]

Odd that there should now be three old Carthusians in Mr. Punch's
Council of Ten. Thackeray observes this to the other two of them [J. L.
and H. S.], and proceeds to say, 'I went to Charterhouse the other day.
Hadn't seen School come out since I left. Saw a touching scene there--a
little fellow with his hands held tenderly behind him, and a tear or two
still trickling down his rosy cheek, and two little cronies with their
arms around his neck; and I well knew what had happened, and how they'd
take him away _privily_, and make him show his cuts!'

[Illustration: E