"SHIRLEY BROOKS succeeded him in the editorial chair, which he filled
fittingly and faithfully for--alas!--only four years. In 1874 I lost
my second Editor. TOM TAYLOR was his successor, taking up with the
Editorship, the extraction of that weekly 'Essence of Parliament,' so
long and so delightfully distilled by the deceased Chief.

"Meanwhile, on April 30th, 1872, HORACE MAYHEW, had departed from our
midst. A little later the Table received a further accession in the
person of ARTHUR WILLIAM À BECKETT, ('Mr. BRIEFLESS Junior,') son of
that GILBERT ABBOTT À BECKETT who was one of my earliest 'Stars.' His
brother, a second GILBERT À BECKETT, took his seat at the Table a
few years later. In Volume LXVIII. for 1875, E.J. MILLIKEN made his
first appearance as a _Punch_ Writer. The Author of the 'ARRY papers,
'CHILDE CHAPPIE's Pilgrimage,' &c., joined my Table two years later.

"On the 12th July, 1880, another great loss befel me. TOM TAYLOR, my
third Editor, left that honourable post vacant, after occupying it
with credit and distinction for six years. Mr. F.C. BURNAND, author of
'Happy Thoughts,' &c., reigns in his stead. R.F. SKETCHLEY, who had a
seat at my Board for several years, resigned it a little later.

"The same year, 1880, saw the introduction of a new Artist, in the
person of HARRY FURNISS; and the next introduced HENRY W. LUCY, the
'TOBY' of _Mr. Punch's_ remodelled Essence of Parliament.

"In 1887, the appearance of '_Mr. Punch's_ Manual for Young Reciters,'
gave evidence of the fact that the Author of _Vice Versâ_, 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