9.—THE FIRST PICTURE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES. 1843.
Picture No. 4 is the first by famous John Leech—Mr. Punch's first great artist—and in addition to the signature "John Leech" at the bottom of the block, there is in the middle of the design the curious sign-manual, a leech in a bottle, which John Leech often used to mark his work. This first design by Leech was in the fourth number of Punch, August 7, 1841, and its title "Foreign Affairs" has reference to the groups of foreign refugees who at that time were specially numerous in Soho and Leicester Square—places that even nowadays are characterized by the presence of numerous and not too desirable foreigners.
THE WHISTLING OYSTER,
as it appeared whilst executing the charming air of—"Come to these yellow sands."
10.—A FANCIFUL DISCOVERY BY "PUNCH." 1843.
The facsimile in No. 5 is from the commencement of Thackeray's first literary contribution to Punch, and the sketch which forms the initial letter T is also by Thackeray. Mr. Spielmann says this sketch is "undoubtedly" by Thackeray; the full contribution is on page 254 of Volume II.
The cartoon shown in No. 6 contains the first picture of Queen Victoria in Punch, and it represents Sir Robert Peel sent for by the Queen to form an Administration in place of the beaten Ministry of Lord Melbourne. This was in the autumn of 1841. The words, The Letter of Introduction, at the bottom of the cartoon, are the title of "a MS. drama, called the 'Court of Victoria,'" on page 90 of Volume I. of Punch, which commences:—
SCENE IN WINDSOR CASTLE.
[Her Majesty discovered sitting thoughtfully at an escritoire.]
Enter the Lord Chamberlain.