portunity, and for
four years _Punch_, first taking sides hotly against slave-trading,
became at times simply pedagogic in his attitude towards both the
combatants. From the time (January 26th, 1861) when there was published
"Mrs. Carolina asserting her Right to Larrup her Nigger," down to the
crowning cartoon of "Habet"--the combatants as gladiators before the
enthroned and imperial negroes ("Ave Caesar!")--many fine cartoons were
issued; but the last-named has been held by many to be the finest that
has ever issued from the artist's pencil. But, in sentiment at least, a
greater was to come--one which helped to melt for us in a measure the
hardened heart of the American nation, at that time distrustful of
England, and righteously indignant at many a taunt that had been
launched against her. This was the affecting picture of Britannia's
tribute and _Punch's_ _amende honorable_, called simply, "Abraham Lincoln:
Foully Assassinated April 14th, 1865," while Shirley Brooks's verses
which accompany them take highest rank among poetry of its kind--lines
which, rugged perhaps in themselves, come straight from the heart, and
speak to a whole nation with true emotion and deep sincerity.

[Illustration: THE "PAS DE DEUX."

From the "Scene de Triomphe" in the Grand Anglo-Turkish _Ballet
d'Action_. (_The Finished Sketch by Sir John Tenniel for the Cartoon in
"Punch," 3rd August, 1878._)]

Then came "A Leap in the Dark" (1867)--Britannia on her hunter, Dizzy,
"going blind" through the hedge of Reform; and soon after the series on
the Franco-Prussian War and the situation that immediately preceded the
outbreak of hostilities, more particularly that (proposed by Mr. du
Maurier) in which the shade of the great Napoleon stands warningly in
the path of the infatuated Emperor; while those that illustrated the
close of the struggle, aroused a deeper sympathy for France than all the
leading-articles and descriptive essays put together. Tenniel's
hell-hounds of war, who menace the fallen figure of France distraught,
are again seen in the series, almost as fine, that accompanied and
followed the Russo-Turkish struggle. A few months later heroics were
once more set aside for humour, and the celebrated cartoon representing
the successful termination of the Berlin Treaty was given forth--"The
_Pas de Deux_" (1878)--in which Lords Beaconsfield and Salisbury in
official dress are executing their _pas de triomphe_ with characteristic
grace and i