By Charles Green, R.I.
By permission of Messrs. Chapman & Hall.
In 1888, Gilbert Dalziel, who had been working in the interests of the paper from the day it came into our hands, took over the journal, paying the sum of eight thousand pounds for it. He at once made considerable alterations in the conduct of the paper. Amongst his artistic staff were that powerful draughtsman, W. G. Baxter; Bernard Partridge, one of the most brilliant and deservedly popular black and white men of our time; Maurice Greiffenhagen, whose drawings had graced the pages of Judy from the day of his early studentship; Alfred Bryan, inimitable in his way; Fred Pegram, Raven Hill, F. H. Townsend, and Fred Barnard.
With such a list of artists at work week by week, small wonder that it should now be spoken of as "The Golden Period" of Judy.
In the pages of Judy, Charles H. Ross created the character of Ally Sloper and also of his friend Ikey Moses. In the early part of 1884, Gilbert Dalziel conceived and modelled a new publication, to be called the Half-Holiday, in which Ally Sloper was to be a leading character. It was finally decided, however, to add the Old Man's name to the title, and on May 3rd, 1884, Ally Sloper's Half-Holiday made its first appearance.
Amongst the many quaint features of the paper, perhaps the "Award of Merit" stands foremost. This decoration consists of a very clever design by W. G. Baxter, executed in colours, and has been presented to and accepted by men and women of the highest distinction in all branches of art, science, literature, music, and the professions generally.
"'You're the wax-work child, are you not?' said Miss Monflather.