Cartoons for Punch—Book Illustrations—A Self-Taught Artist—Becomes Acquainted with Dickens—Designs for "The Haunted Man"—A Wonderful Memory of Observation—An Interview with Dickens—Knighthood.

Sir John Tenniel, the doyen of the Punch staff, is undoubtedly best known as the designer and draughtsman of the cartoon published weekly in that journal. This famous pictorial satirist succeeded Richard Doyle on Punch in 1850, and since 1861 (with the exception of a few brief intervals) he has supplied the subject of the principal engraving with unfailing regularity. Confining himself almost entirely to black-and-white drawing, Sir John has produced, during a long and active career, a large number of book-illustrations, such as those embellishing certain editions of "Æsop's Fables," "The Ingoldsby Legends," "Lalla Rookh," and "The Arabian Nights," while those charming designs in the late "Lewis Carroll's" "Alice in Wonderland," with its sequel, "Through the Looking-Glass," will be readily remembered. In Once a Week may also be found many of his illustrations.

Sir John Tenniel was born in London in 1820. Although for a time he attended the Royal Academy Schools, he is practically a self-taught artist, and exhibited his first picture when sixteen years of age. After this initial success he continued to paint and exhibit pictures both in oil and water-colours, but soon realised that he could exercise his facile pencil with greater advantage, his designs possessing a refinement and good taste, coupled with a sense of humour—characteristics suggesting the thought that to him may be attributed the establishment of the connection between "High" Art and what may be termed "Grotesque" Art.

The Haunted Man, 1848.Prior to joining the Punch staff—that is to say, in 1847—Sir (then Mr.) John Tenniel became acquainted with Charles Dickens, who invited the young artist to contribute (in conjunction with Clarkson Stanfield, R.A., John Leech, and Frank Stone, A.R.A.) some designs to "The Haunted Man," published in 1848. Accordingly, in this Christmas Book we find him represented by six illustrations, consisting of the frontispiece, engraved title-page, and four other designs, the latter appearing at the opening of the chapters. The frontispiece is a remarkable achievement in respect to the decorative border surrounding the central picture,—a beautifully-fanciful treatment of elf-like and other figures, typifying Good and Evil, the drawing being admirably engraved on wood by Martin and Corbould. In the second chapter the artist has represented the Tetterby family, which it is interesting to compare with a similar group of the Tetterbys by John Leech in the same chapter. Sir John Tenniel's final drawing is a successful attempt to portray, in the form of allegory, Night receding before Dawn.

Except in painting, Sir John Tenniel never resorts to the use of the living model for his figures, but depends entirely upon a wonderful memory of observation. Apropos of his collaboration with the novelist, he has favoured me with the following note:—

"My 'artistic association' with Charles Dickens began and ended simply with my poor little contributions towards the illustration of 'The Haunted Man.' There was no written correspondence between us that I can remember, and I believe I had but one interview with Dickens on the subject, when he gave me certain hints as to treatment, &c. &c. &c. Only that, and nothing more!

"As to what became of the original sketches I have not the remotest idea; probably I gave them away—or, more probably still, they were one day consigned to the waste-paper basket. At all events, and after an interval of about forty-five years, it is perhaps scarcely surprising that I should have long since forgotten all about them."

It should be mentioned that, as in the case of Leech, many of Sir John Tenniel's Punch cartoons are adapted from illustrations in the works of Dickens, these happily suggesting the political situation of the moment. This subject is fully treated in my paper on "Dickens and Punch" in the English Illustrated Magazine, August 1891.

Sir John is one of the oldest members of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water-Colours. In June 1893 the distinction of knighthood was conferred upon the veteran artist, his name having been included in the list of Royal birthday honours, at the recommendation of Mr. Gladstone, whose face and figure he has so frequently delineated; thus for the first time were the claims of black-and-white draughtsmen deservedly recognised. Sir John Tenniel's busy pencil continues to be effectively employed in the pages of Punch; but he remains, alas! the sole survivor of the band of clever artists whose designs adorn the Christmas Books of Charles Dickens.