One is glad that _Punch_ recognized the "wit and humour" of this unique document, though he says nothing of its magical choice of words. Dr. R---- was Dr. Rumbold. But whether or no he composed the advertisement I have not been able to discover--or, indeed, anything about him. Perhaps it was his swan-song; like the Old Masters, who according to Artemus Ward executed the execrable paintings exhibited at his lecture as their crowning and final achievement: "they did them and then they died." [Sidenote: _The Next Generation_] Sufficient materials have already been accumulated to enable the reader to form an estimate of _Punch's_ credentials as a prophet or "intelligent anticipator." They would not, however, be complete without the "Forecast of the Next Generation" which appeared in 1872, and which is interesting not so much from its prophecies as from its comprehensive catalogue of Victorian shortcomings, failings and abuses:-- The next generation will possess an army properly clothed. The next generation will all be able to read and write. The next generation will wear light clothes in summer. The next generation will remove some of the public-statues and edifices which their predecessors have erected. The next generation will find life supportable without so many Vestries. The next generation will not make calls. The next generation will ride to and fro in decent cabs. The next generation will have other sorts of fish in daily consumption besides red herrings. The next generation will speak French and German, and, possibly, know something of their own language and literature. The next generation will not wear high black hats in the month of July. The next generation will see the officers of the army walking about the streets in uniform. The next generation will have other public places of amusement open to them on Sundays, besides public-houses. The next generation will be better cooks. The next generation will have no theatres with fees. The next generation will leave the table with the ladies. The next generation will not avoid Hotels. The next generation will find they can get on pretty comfortably without the Lord Privy Seal, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Judge Advocate General, etc. The next generation will not be ashamed of Leicester Square. The next generation will be able to cross the Channel with less bodily discomfort. The next generation will journey by railway more safely and more punctually. The next generation will still have the National Debt, duns, dentists, domestics, humbugs, quacks, impostors, absurd fashions, adulteration, swindlers, and the Income Tax. LONDON [Sidenote: _Foul State of the Thames_]