_To be continued regularly._ [Illustration: A PRESENTATION COPY. ] Though Malthus indite it, and Martineau write it, I don't think they've quite hit the nail on the head; And spite of their pother 'bout father and mother, We may be one or t'other before we are dead. THE COMIC ALMANACK FOR 1840. JANUARY. [1840. [Illustration] JOLLY DOGS.—ABOLITION OF THE TRUCK SYSTEM. [Sidenote: [Illustration] WEATHER —— Nipping frosts and driving snows, [Illustration: _Hill_-usage] thick-soled shoes and double-hose. [Illustration: Counter petition.]] Well, blow me—here's a pretty go! They'll only stop at ruination, And bringing all our trade to woe, For labouring in our just wocation. Why this ere act's the cruel'st deed That ever was devised to floor us; Such as our ancasters ne'er seed, Nor yet posterity afore us. Its clean agen the nat'ral law O' brute beasts, and of humane kind, For surely dogs was made to draw, And trucks was made to go behind. And we was made to sit a-top, And cut away in all our glory, And if the lazy varmint stop, To tell 'em jist another story. But, dash my wigs—this pretty set, With hearts as hard as any stone, Wont let an honest feller whet His lawful wengeance on his _own_. No longer now up Highgate road O' Sunday arternoons I gallop, With all the brats, a tidy load, And perhaps a neighbour's child to fill up. At Farringdon and Common Garden, I'm fairly laid upon the shelf; My only chance to earn a farden, Is truckling to the truck myself. But we'll resist this horrid plot, And for our order boldly strive, For this I know, that ours are not The only ill-used dogs alive. Let's not be down upon our luck, Nor out of heart at our condition, And since our dogs can't draw a truck, At least we'll draw up a petition; And lay our case before the Commons, What keeps the money of the nation: Perchance we'll get, like other rum 'uns, An equitable compensation. [Illustration] ORDERED to be considered _below_. [Illustration: JANUARY:—The Announcement ]