“In 1887, the appearance of ‘Mr. Punch’s Manual for Young Reciters,’ gave evidence of the fact that the Author of Vice Versa, Mr. F. ANSTEY, had joined my Table.  He, with R.C.  LEHMANN, Author of ’Modern Types,’ &c., and E.G.  REED, the Artist, are the very latest additions thereto.  That Table has, within the last two years, sustained yet two other losses:  PERCIVAL LEIGH, last survivor of the ‘Old Guard,’ dying on 24th October, 1889, whilst, early in the present year, the inimitable CHARLES KEENE, universally acknowledged to be the greatest master of ‘Black-and-White’ technique who ever put pencil to wood-block, was taken away from me.

“Merely to mention all the bright pens and pencils which have occasionally contributed to my pages, would occupy much space.  Amongst Writers may be named MAGUIN HANNAY, STIRLING COYNE, COVENTRY PATMORE, MORTIMER COLLINS, GEORGE AUGUSTUS SALA, ANDREW LANG, JAMES PAYN, and Lord TENNYSON; amongst Artists, HOWARD (whose signature, a trident, was at one time familiar to Punch readers), Miss BOWERS, RALSTON, BRYAN, BARNARD, W.S.  GILBERT (who illustrated several of his own articles), CORBOULD, CALDECOTT, RIVIERE, H.S.  MARKS, FRED WALKER, SIR JOHN MILLAIS, and Sir FREDERICK LEIGHTON.

“The present Staff, Mr. ANNO DOMINI, you may see assembled ’round the old Tree’ in the accompanying Cartoon.  Around on the walls are the counterfeit presentments of their illustrious and honoured predecessors.  My guests, you perceive, are drinking a toast.  That toast is, ‘Mr. Punch, his health and Jubilee!’”

“In which I am delighted to join!” responded ANNO DOMINI. “Mr. Punch, you must be as proud of your ‘Mahogany Tree,’ and its many memories, as King ARTHUR of his Table Round.”

  “’For dear to ARTHUR was that hall of ours,
  As having there so oft with all his Knights
  Feasted,’”

quoted the Sage, musing deeply of many things.  Many of my Knights have ‘gone before,’ but they have not

  “‘Left me gazing at a barren board.’

“Their monograms are carven on this Table, their memories abide with us as we drink to Punch’s Jubilee, and will abide when, as I hope, yet another fifty years hence, our successors drink with equal heartiness to Punch’s Centenary!”

* * * * *

[Illustration:  J. Tenniel.  H. Silver.  C. Keene.  T. Taylor.  F.C.  Burnand.  R.F.  Sketchley.  H. Mayhew.  M. Lemon.  Shirley Brooks.  Du Maurier.  P. Leigh.]

* * * * *

PAST AND PRESENT.

[Illustration:  IN THE SIXTIES.]

[Illustration:  IN THE SEVENTIES.]

[Illustration:  IN THE EIGHTIES.]

[Illustration:  IN THE NINETIES.]

* * * * *

[Illustration:  MR. PUNCH’S JUBILEE PAGEANT.

AS REFLECTED IN HIS OWN MAGIC MIRROR.]