Transcriber's Note: Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have been retained as printed. Words printed in italics are noted with underscores: _italics_ and, in bold typeface, thus: =bold=. JOHN LEECH'S PICTURES OF LIFE AND CHARACTER [Illustration] From the Collection of "MR. PUNCH." LONDON: BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO., 8, 9, 10, BOUVERIE STREET, E.C. 1887. LONDON: BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO., PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS JOHN LEECH'S PICTURES [Illustration] OF LIFE AND CHARACTER. [Illustration: _CAUTION DURING THE MISTLETOE SEASON._ _Pretty Cousin._ "WHAT A TIRESOME GREAT AWKWARD BOY YOU ARE!--JUST SEE HOW YOU HAVE SCRATCHED MY CHIN!" [_Young Gentleman apologises amply._ [ [Illustration: _NONE BUT THE BRAVE DESERVE THE FAIR._ _Augustus._ "NOW, I'VE GOT YOU!"] [Illustration: _OBVIOUS._ _Old Party from the Country_ (_with much wheezing and embarrassment_). "I--I--WANT TO GO TO--TO--TO----" _Conductor_ (_with alacrity_). "ALL RIGHT, OLD BOY! JUMP IN! I KNOW--_CATTLE SHOW_!"] [Illustration: _A PIG PEN AT A CATTLE SHOW._ _Harriet._ "THEN, I SUPPOSE, PAPA DEAR, THAT THESE ARE =LEARNED= PIGS, AS THEY HAVE ALL GOT GOLD MEDALS?"] [Illustration: _A PLEASANT HOLIDAY TASK._ _Mr. Punch._ "NOW, BOYS AND GIRLS! YOU MUST FIND OUT THE USE OF THESE GLOBES BEFORE YOU GO BACK TO SCHOOL!"] [Illustration: _COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON._ _Reynard the Fox._ "HERE'S AN OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS, MY BOYS, FOR YOU, AND MANY OF 'EM."] [Illustration: _THE SNOW._ "NOW, YOU BOYS HAD BETTER BE QUIET, OR I SHALL CALL THE POLICE, AS SURE AS YOU'RE BORN."] [Illustration: _JUVENILE ETYMOLOGY._ _Master Jack._ "MAMMA, DEAR! NOW ISN'T THIS CALLED KISSMAS TIME, BECAUSE EVERYBODY KISSES EVERYBODY UNDER THE MISTLETOE? ADA SAYS IT ISN'T."] [Illustration: _MISS AND MISTLETOE._ _Miss Gushington._ "OH, DON'T YOU LIKE CHRISTMAS TIME, MR. BROWN, AND ALL ITS DEAR OLD CUSTOMS?" [BROWN _don't seem to see it._ ] [Illustration: _CHRISTMAS EVE._ _Ellen_ (_who is so simple_). "NOW, PRAY TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, FRANK! WHAT IS IT THESE DREADFUL GAROTTERS CALL 'GIVING ONE THE HUG?'" [FRANK _shows her presently_. ] [Illustration: _UNDER THE MISTLETOE._] [Illustration: _A FAMILY GROUP--BABY STIRRING THE PUDDING._] [Illustration: _"A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!" A JUVENILE PARTY._] [Illustration: _GOOD CHEER._ RICH OLD LADY IS OVERWHELMED WITH BARRELLED OYSTERS FROM DISTANT RELATIVES.] [Illustration: _ROOTI-TOOIT--I'VE GOT CHER!_] [Illustration: _A JOLLY OLD PATERFAMILIAS, WITH SOME AIR-BALLOONS FOR THE CHICKS._] [Illustration: _A CHRISTMAS PARTY.--GRANDPAPA DANCES "SIR ROGER"--AND MAY HE DANCE IT FOR MANY, MANY YEARS TO COME._] [Illustration: _VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT._ THAT DISTINGUISHED RIFLE-SHOT, MR. PUNCH, HAVING DONE HIS DUTY LIKE A MAN, THROWS HIMSELF UNDER THE MISTLETOE, AND RECEIVES HIS JUST REWARD.] [Illustration: _BROWN ENTERTAINS HIS FRIENDS WI' A HAGGIS!_]