Page:The Pocket Magazine (Volume 1, 1827).djvu/19

A good laugh is worth money at any time; but, at this season of the year, it is absolutely necessary to one's existence. In the horrors of December and its neighbour months, laughter is as necessary by one's fire-side as a great coat is out of doors. What then do we not owe to the man who furnishes us not with one but with whole myriads of laughs—who tickles us until our sides ache, and our diaphragms are fatigued with exertion? In heathen times an altar would have been built to him; and, although now times are altered, nothing prevents us making an offering; and, if we did not very sincerely offer him our praises, compliments, and congratulations, we should almost deserve a halter. Mr. Hood is the very prince of punsters; he cuts up words as dexterously as a clever carver would a fowl—nay, more dexterously, for he contrives to help his readers to a merry thought in every morsel. We could dilate on his merits (and they are such as make us hope that he may die late) but that we should do them and him more justice by giving examples of his excellence; and we therefore hasten to do so, enjoining our readers, if they like the samples, to buy the book; because it contains a budget full of things as good or better than those we show them, together with some wood-cuts full of fun, and spirit, and fancy, which are better things than better drawing, and rarer to boot.

The 'Mermaid of Margate' is a triumphant specimen of punning. A most whimsical design of a mermaid with a fish's tail, and the motto 'All's well that ends well,' precedes it.