Punch (24.1853)

^Jll. PUNCH, at the last moment, cancels a very handsome Preface prepared for this his Twenty-Fourth
Volume, in order to give insertion to a communication from the Head of the Horse-Guards : a document
to which, at the present time, and under the present tremulous circumstances—(foreign funds being as sensitive
as quicksilver in a thunder-storm)—Mr. Punch thinks it only wise and loyal to give the first place and
the boldest type.

" Horse-Guards, June 14, 1853
" Viscount Hardinge—Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty's Forces—presents his compliments
and felicitations to Mr. Punch ; and desires that he will, at the promptest military time, cause to be delivered
at the Camp at Chobham, no less than Ten Thousand Copies of his Twenty-Fourth Volume; Viscount H.
—as an old and instructed reader of Punch—knowing that among the many blessings of an English
Midsummer, there is ever a new Volume of Punch ; even as at Christmas-time another Volume is one of
the never-failing comforts and delights of that most jolly and most hospitable season.

" The Commanding-Officer at Chobham has it in orders to receive the Volumes of Punch with every
possible military honour. On arriving at the Camp, Mr. Punch himself will be received by a General's
Guard, and be immediately conducted to the officer commanding.

" A salute of Four-and-twenty Guns will be fired on the Ten Thousand Copies of the Twenty-fourth
Volume reaching the ground ; the troops presenting arms, and the Band playing God Save the Queen (with
roo-to-to4oo-it variations).

" The Commanding Officer will address the Troops before distributing the Volumes to the Forces.
That Officer has instructions to dwell most earnestly on the many noble lessons abounding in every Page