Punch (24.1853)

iv PREFACE.

of Punch—to exhort the British Soldier so to study his Punch, that, whilst in time of peace he shall feel
as simple as the lamh that, all innocently, crops the mint—he shall, in the hour of war, be as the raging
lion that roars and whips himself for his shin of beef.

" And here the Commander-in-Chief gladly avails himself of this pleasing opportunity to express his
acknowledgments to Mr. Punch for the abounding lessons of mirth and wisdom that, in the hottest Aveather
in India, have been more refreshing than gentle showers to the troops under Viscount Hardinge's
command; have been more animating than any grant of batta to the native soldier.

" Moral cheerfulness is the very life and soul of a Camp. Keep the soldier cheerful, and he is
ready for any work in any weather, and at any notice. It is, therefore, Mr. Punch, that as Commander-
in-Chief, I have thought it my duty to order, at the country's expense, the supply of ten thousand of
your Twenty-Fourth Volume for the troops at Chobham; all the other twenty-three volumes, as I have
made it my duty to know, being in the possession of every soldier encamped there, and making an
inseparable part of his daily baggage. Yes, Mr. Punch, not only has the British soldier your works by
heart, but he has 'em on his shoulders.

" Anticipating the many privations to be suffered by the heroes of Chobham—(where there will be
no Rotten Row, no Opera, no Club-House)—I nevertheless feel confident of the beneficial influence of
your pages upon Her Majesty's Forces, feeling assured that both on the part of the officers and men—
especially may I speak for the officers—the greatest sacrifices will be readily deferred to, if foregoing many
of their usual little comforts, they are permitted an unlimited supply of Punch.

" Accept, Mr. Punch, the assurance of my distinguished consideration.

atomic-

" P.S. and Private.—You will stop to dinner. In fact, bring a portmanteau for a Aveek. There will
be a bullock roasted for every regiment the day of the distribution, Avith fireworks in the evening. If your
dog can dance, bring him : he '11 take the conceit out of young Fitzpipeclay and his lot "