balled of the United Service Club," _i.e._ Lord Cardigan, was
his), all contributed to the first number. It is an axiom of newspaper
conductors that "the first number is always the worst number," and
_Punch_ did nothing to disprove the rule. Nevertheless, it was a great
success. The tone and quality were far higher in dignity and excellence
than was common to an avowedly smart and comic paper--far different from
what is suggested by the word "Charivari;" and the public admitted that
here was a novel school of comic writing, by a motley moralist and
punning philosopher, and hailed with pleasure the advent of a "New
Humour."

[Illustration: COVER OF THE FIRST VOLUME OF _PUNCH_.

(_Designed by A. S. Henning._)]

"Out came the first number," wrote Landells. "I shall never forget the
excitement of that first number! It was so great that Mr. Mayhew, Mr.
Lemon, and myself, sat up all night at the printer's, waiting to see it
printed." When "our Mr. Bryant," as the publisher was called, opened the
publishing office on that memorable 17th of July, at 13, Wellington
Street, Strand, the unexpected demand for the paper raised the
expectations and enthusiasm of the confederates to the highest pitch.
Mayhew, with Hodder and Landells, walked up and down outside the office
and in the neighbouring Strand, discussing the paper and its prospects,
and constantly calling to hear from Bryant how things were progressing.
At news of each fresh thousand sold, their spirits rose, and their
anxiety became satisfaction when the whole edition of five thousand had
been taken up by the trade, and another like edition was called for,
and, on the following day, was sold out. Ten thousand copies! Ten
thousand proofs, they took it, of public sympathy and encouragement.

Such is the outline of _Punch's_ conception and birth, based on many
original documents and a mass of evidence, as well as on the independent
testimony collected from survivors. In the words of Mr. Jabez Hogg,
"Landells and Henry Mayhew were certainly the founders"--the former
conceiving the idea of the paper which was presently established, and
the latter developing it, as set forth, according to his original
views--founding the tradition and personality of "Mr. Punch," and
converting him from a mere strolling puppet, an irresponsible jester,
into the laughing philosopher and man of letters, the essence of all
wit, the concentration of all wisdom, the soul of honour, the fountain
of