The work of preparing this volume has been greatly lightened by the encouragement and practical help of Mr. Philip Agnew, the managing director, and Mr. Heather, the secretary, of Messrs. Bradbury, Agnew and Co.; by Miss Berry's transcription of extracts; and, above all, by the research, the advice and suggestions of Miss M. R. Walpole, the assistant librarian of the Athenæum Club. CHARLES L. GRAVES. _A complete Index will be found in the Fourth Volume._ CONTENTS PART I THE TWO NATIONS _PUNCH_ AND THE PEOPLE CHARTISM MACHINERY AND MONEY-MAKING EDUCATION RELIGIOUS CONTROVERSY FROM PEACE TO WAR ENTR'ACTE LONDON IN THE MID-NINETEENTH CENTURY PART II THE SOCIAL FABRIC THE COURT THE OLD NOBILITY SOCIETY-EXCLUSIVE, GENTEEL, AND SHABBY GENTEEL THE LIBERAL PROFESSIONS WOMEN IN THE 'FORTIES AND 'FIFTIES FASHION IN DRESS THE DRAMA, OPERA, MUSIC, AND THE FINE ARTS PERSONALITIES PART I THE TWO NATIONS MR. PUNCH'S HISTORY OF MODERN ENGLAND _PUNCH_ AND THE PEOPLE O! fair and fresh the early spring Her budding wreath displays, To all the wide earth promising The joy of harvest days; Yet many a waste of wavy gold Hath bent above the dead; Then let the living share it too-- Give us our daily bread. Of old a nation's cry shook down The sword-defying wall, And ours may reach the mercy-seat, Though not the lordly hall. God of the Corn! shall man restrain Thy blessings freely shed? O! look upon the isles at last-- Give us our daily bread. [Sidenote: _The Founders of "Punch"_]