PUNCH,

OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

VOL. 99.



December 13, 1890.




MR. PUNCH'S PRIZE NOVELS.

NO. IX.--THE CURSE OF COGNAC.

(_By_ WATER DECANT, _Author of "Chaplin off his Feet," "All
Sorts of Editions for Men," "The Nuns in Dilemma," "The
Cream he Tried," "Blue-the-Money Naughty-boy," "The Silver
Gutter-Snipe," "All for a Farden Fare," "The Roley Hose,"
"Caramel of Stickinesse," &c., &c., &c._)

[Of this story the Author writes to us as follows:--"I can
honestly recommend it, as calculated to lower the exaggerated
cheerfulness which is apt to prevail at Christmas time. I
consider it, therefore, to be eminently suited for a Christmas
Annual. Families are advised to read it in detachments of four
or five at a time. Married men who owe their wives' mothers
a grudge should lock them into a bare room, with a guttering