text:
English Caricaturists and Graphic Humourists of the Nineteenth Century
English Caricaturists
and Graphic Humorists
How they Illustrated and Interpreted their Times.
A contribution to the History of Caricature from the Time of the First Napoleon
Down to the Death of John Leech, in 1864.
Butler & Tanner,
The Selwood Printing Works,
Frome, and London.
Dr. Johnson's definition of the word Caricatura.—Francis Grose's definition.—Modern signification of the word.—Change in the Spirit of English Caricature during the last Fifty Years.—Its Causes.—Gillray.—Rowlandson.—Bunbury.—Influence of Gillray and Rowlandson on their immediate Successors.—Gradual Disappearance of the Coarseness of the Old Caricaturists.—Change wrought by John Doyle.—We have now no Caricaturist.—Effect of Wood Engraving on Caricature.—Hogarth, although a Satirist, not a Caricaturist.—Gustave Doré misdescribed a Caricaturist.—Absurdity of comparing him with Cruikshank.—"Etching Moralized."pp. 1-11.
Connection of Gillray and Rowlandson with Nineteenth Century Caricaturists.—Napoleon Bonaparte.—The Causes of English Exasperation against him explained.—Sketch of his Policy towards England.—The "Berlin Decree."—English Caricatures brought to the notice of Bonaparte.—"A Political Fair."—The "Gallick Storehouse for English Shipping."—"Spanish Flies, or Boney taking an Immoderate Dose."—"Boney and his New Wife, or a Quarrel about Nothing."—Birth of the young King of Rome.—"British Cookery, or Out of the Frying-pan into the Fire."—"General Frost Shaving Boney."—"Polish Diet with French Dessert."—"The Corsican Blood-hound beset by the Bears of Russia."—"Nap nearly Nab'd, or a Retreating Jump just in time."—"Boney Returning from Russia covered with Glory."—"Nap's Glorious Return."—Rowlandson's Anti-Bonaparte Caricatures.—French Contemporary Satires.—Gillray's Anti-Bonaparte Caricatures.—His Libels on Josephine.—Madame Tallien.—Robert Dighton.—Consequences of a Pinch of Snuff.—Master Betty—Impeachment of Lord Melville.—Introduction of Gas.—Mary Anne Clarke.—Imbecility and Death of James Gillray.pp. 12-33.
Re-opening of Drury Lane.—Dr. Busby's "Monologue."—"A Buz in a Box, or the Poet in a Pet."—"Doctors Differ, or Dame Nature against the College." —Joanna Southcott.—Flight of the Princess Charlotte.—"Plebeian Spirit, or Coachee and the Heiress Presumptive."—"Miss endeavouring to Excite a Glow with her Dutch Plaything."—American War of 1812–1815.—Hostile Temper of the Americans.—Disastrous Results of their Invasion of Canada.—English Retaliatory Measures.—Burning of Washington.—Expedition against Alexandria.—"The Fall of Washington, or Maddy in Full Flight."—British Defeated at Baltimore and New Orleans.—"Romeo Coates."—Marriage of the Princess Charlotte.—"Leap Year, or John Bull's Establishment."—Troubles of 1817.—Narrow Escape of the Prince Regent.—"More Plots!!! More Plots!!!"—Edmund Kean and Lucius Junius Booth.—"The Rival Richards."—Congress of the Allied Sovereigns at Aix-la-Chapelle."—A Russian Dandy at Home: a Scene at Aix-la-Chapelle."—"A Peep at the Pump Room, or the Zomerzetshire Folks in a Maze."—Death of Queen Charlotte.—"The Hambourg Waltz."—Invention of the Kaleidoscope.—"Caleidoscopes, or Paying for Peeping."—The Velocipede or "Hobby."—"The Spirit Moving the Quakers upon Worldly Vanities."—"John Bull in Clover," and "John Bull Done Over."—Birth of the Princess Victoria.—"A Scene in the New Farce, called The Rivals, or a Visit to the Heir Presumptive."pp. 34-61.
Caroline of Brunswick.—Levity of her Character.—Result of the Commission to Inquire into her Conduct in 1806.—Her Letter to the Regent.—Result of the Commission of 1813.—Caroline rebels.—Wrath of Lord Ellenborough.—"A Key to the Investigation, or Iago distanced by odds."—Refusal of the Regent to meet her in 1814.—Her Protest.—Applies for Permission to Travel Abroad.—Rumours prejudicial to her Moral Conduct.—"Paving the way for a Royal Divorce."—The Milan Commission.—Ministers averse to the Prosecution of the Queen.—Their False Step.—Arrival of Caroline in London.—Opening of the "Green Bag."—Arrival of the Witnesses.—Strange Appearance of Caroline at the Trial.—Satire upon Her and her Supporters.—"City Scavengers Cleansing the London Streets of Impurities."—Practical Failure of the Prosecution.—"The Queen Caroline running down the Royal George."—"The Steward's Court of the Manor of Torre Devon."—Popularity of the King.—"Grand Entrance to Bamboozlem."—Public Events of 1822–1825.—Greek War of Independence.—Battle of Navarino.—"Russian Bear's Grease, or a Peep into Futurity."—"The Descent of the Great Bear, or the Mussulmans in a Quandary."—"The Nest in Danger."—"The Porte presenting a Bill of Indemnification."—"Burking old Mrs. Constitution, aged 141.—Caricature Declines after 1830, and why.—William Heath and other Caricaturists of the Period.—Theodore Lane.pp. 62-88.
Caricatures of Robert Cruikshank.—Forgotten, and why.—Artistic Training.—"The Mother's Girl Plucking a Crow, or German Flesh and English Spirit."—"The Horse Marine and his Trumpeter in a Squall."—Queer Fashions of the early part of the Century.—Thackeray's Difficulty.—Caricatures on the "Dandies" of 1818.—Robert and his Fellow-Caricaturists ridicule the sham "Corinthians"—and "Corinthian Kates" of their day.—Hollow Pretensions of the "Dandies."—"The Dandy Dressing at Home" and "The Dandy Dressed."—"A Dandyess."—Robert's Satires on the "Dandies" of 1819.—"The Mysterious Fair One, or the Royal Introduction to the Circassian Beauty."—Other Caricatures of his of 1819.—His Satires on the Trial of Queen Caroline.—His Caricatures of 1821.—Duel between the Dukes of Bedford and Buckingham.—Other Satires by him in 1822.—Interference of Louis XVIII. in Spanish Affairs.—Robert's Satires on Louis and his Son.—"The Golden Ball."—Other Caricatures by Robert in 1823.—The Tenth Hussars.—Maria Foote and "Pea-green Hayne."—Other satires by Robert in 1824.—Colonel Fitz-Bastard and Mr. Judge.—Cox v. Kean.—Sir Walter Scott.—"The Living Skeleton."—Popple and Stockdale.—Other Subjects of 1825.—"Cruikshankiana."pp. 89-108.
Book Illustrations of Isaac Robert Cruikshank.—The "Life in London."—Injustice done to Robert with reference to this Book.—The "Life" Dramatized.—Excitement it Occasioned.—The Portly Stranger in the Duke's Box.—Queer Visitors at Rehearsal.—Horror of the Serious People.—The Mistake which they made.—"The Finish."—Pierce Egan's Position with reference to the "Life."—Origin of "Bell's Life in London."—Charles Molloy Westmacott.—"The English Spy."—"The Oppidans' Museum."—The "King at Home."—Rowlandson's contribution to "The English Spy."—Westmacott and the Literature of Foote and Hayne.—Robert's Carelessness.—"Points of Misery."—"Doings in London."—"Cruikshank's Comic Album."—"Monsieur Nong-tong-paw."—Three Books Illustrated by Robert.—Death.pp. 109-124.
Caricatures of George Cruikshank.—"No Plan, no Ambition."—The Assertion Disproved.—Why George's Caricatures possess so remarkable an Interest.—"The Scourge."—Lord Sidmouth's Bill to amend the Toleration Act.—Opposition to the Measure by the Nonconformists.—George's Satire upon them.—Satire upon the Medical Profession.—"The Satirist, or Monthly Meteor."—"Fashion."—"The Loyalists' Magazine."—An Early Satire.—"Meditations amongst the Tombs."—Other Satires of 1813.—"Little Boney gone to Pot."—Alexander of Russia and the Duchess of Oldenburg.—The Princess Caroline.—Joanna Southcott.—The Obnoxious Corn Laws of 1815.—Satires thereon.—Escape of Napoleon.—Outlawed by the Powers.—Excitement caused by this Event.—George's Satires thereon.—Napoleon endeavours to Establish Friendly Relations.—Silent Hostility of Europe.—He Sets out for the Army.—George's Satire thereon.—Surrender of Bonaparte.—The Bellerophon off the English Coast.—Other Satires of 1815.—The Regent's Repugnance to Retrenchment and Reform.—Marriage of the Princess Charlotte.—Satire on the Purchase of the "Elgin Marbles."—Other Satires of 1816.—John Bull's Bankruptcy Proceedings.—Remanded for Extravagance.—His "Schedule."—Seditious Troubles of 1817.—A Satire on the Princess Caroline.—Death of the Princess Charlotte.—Other Satires of 1817—of 1818.—The "Bank Restriction Note."—Satires of 1819.—Queen Caroline and other Caricatures of 1820 and 1821.—Death and Funeral of the Queen.—The Populace force the Procession to go through the City.—The Military fire on the People.—Alderman Sir William Curtis in Highland Costume.—Indignation of the King.—Satires on both.—Statue of Achilles.—Other Caricatures of 1822.—Satires of 1823 and 1824.—Joint Stock Company Mania of 1825.—Undated Satires—Amazing value of George Cruikshank's Caricatures.pp.125-166.
George Cruikshank as a Book Illustrator.—Defects and Excellencies.—Women, Horses, Trees.—"Greenwich Hospital."—Sikes and the Dog.—Jonathan Wild.—Simon Renard and Winwike.—"Born a Genius and Born a Dwarf."—Its History.—Randulph and Hilda at Ranelagh.—Sale of the Shadow.—Sailors Carousing.—Paying off a Jew.—Simpkin Dancing.—The Last Cab Driver.—Dominie Sampson.—Dumbiedikes.—Fall of the Leaf.—Taurus.—Libra.—Revolution at Madame Tussaud's.—Theatrical Fun Dinner.—"Gone!"—Duke of Marlborough's Boot.—The Two Elves.—Witches' Frolic.—Ghosts.—Jack o' Lantern.—Devils.—The Gin Shop.—Redgauntlet.—Fagin in the Condemned Cell.—Murder of Sir Rowland Trenchard.—Xit Wedded to the Scavenger's Daughter.—Mauger Sharpening his Axe.—Massacre at Tullabogue, etc.—His Geniuspp. 167-188.
The Sleep of Thirty Years.—Causes of George Cruikshank's Decadence Insufficiently Understood.—Professor Bates' Theory.—Charles Dickens's Nervousness (?).—Why Cruikshank was Unfitted to Illustrate his Novels.—The Rejected Illustration to Oliver Twist.—Quarrel with Bentley.—Guy Fawkes Illustrations.—"Ainsworth's Magazine." Progress of the Cruikshank versus Bentley Campaign.—Cruikshank's Declaration of War.—His Tactics.—"Our Library Table."—Quarrel with Harrison Ainsworth.—Cruikshank's Claim to be Originator of Two of his Stories Considered.—A word for Harrison Ainsworth.—Popularity and Success of his Novels.—Charles Lever's "Arthur O'Leary."<! -- should be an end-quote here -->—Cruikshank's final Leap in the Dark.—Its Fatal Consequences.—Crusade against Drink.—"Worship of Bacchus."—His Work Falls away.—Thirty Years of Artistic Sterility.—Fairy Stories turned into Temperance Tracts.—Forgotten!pp. 189-207.
Birth of Robert Seymour.—Starts as a Painter in Oils.—Death of George IV.—His Contemptible Character.—Sale of his Wardrobe.—Order for General Mourning.—"The Adelaide Mill."—Revolution of 1830.—Dismissal of the German Band.—St. John Long the Quack.—Administering an Oath.—The "Humorous Sketches."—"Book of Christmas."—"New Readings of Old Authors."—"Figaro in London."—À Beckett's Editorial Amenities.—Feud between him and Seymour.—Seymour Caricatures À Beckett.—"Figaro" passes into the hands of Mayhew.—Re-engagement of Seymour.—Origin of the "Pickwick Papers."—The Rejected Etching.—Suicide of Seymour.—His Claim to be the "Inventor" of "Pickwick" considered.pp. 208-234.
The Agitation for Reform in 1830-32.—The Marquis of Blandford's Scheme of Reform.—Strange State of the English Representative System of those Days.—O'Connell's Scheme.—Lord John Russell's "Resolutions" Rejected.—Dearth of Political Caricaturists at this Time.—HB.—Secret of the Success of his "Political Sketches."—His Style a Complete Innovation.—"I'll be your Second."—Unpopularity of the Duke of Cumberland.—"My Dog and my Gun."—Lord John Russell Introduces a Reform Bill.—Second Reading Carried by a Majority of One.—General Election.—Lord John Russell's Second Reform Bill Passes the House of Commons.—Deputation to the Lords.—"Bringing up our Bill."—The Lords Throw it Out.—Lord John Russell again brings in a Bill.—Ministers again in a Minority in the Lords.—Earl Grey tenders certain Alternatives.—Excitement caused by the Opposition of the Lords.—Perplexity of the King.—How he Overcame the Opposition of the Peers.—William IV. as Johnny Gilpin.—The King as Mazeppa and Sinbad the Sailor.—Outrage on the Duke of Wellington.—"Taking an Airing in Hyde Park."—"Auld Lang Syne."—"A Hint to Duellists."—"A Great Subject Dedicated to the Royal College of Surgeons."—Sir Francis Burdett.—"Following the Leader."—"The Dog and the— Shadow,"—"A Race for the Westminster Stakes."—"A Fine Old English Gentleman."—"Jim Crow Dance and Chorus."pp. 235-253.
Political Sketches of HB. (continued).—Lord John Russell.—"Jonah."—Reduction of the Stamp on Newspapers.—How it was evaded.—Arguments of the Opponents of the Measure.—Hard and Soft Soap versus Newspapers.—Strange Arguments of the Newspaper Proprietors of the Day.—"The Rival Newsmongers."—Brougham Watches for the Door of Preferment being Opened.—"The Gheber Worshipping the Rising Sun."—Made Lord Chancellor.—"A Select Specimen of the Black Style."—A Scene in the House of Lords.—"The Duel that Did Not Take Place."—Dissolution of Parliament in 1834.—Brougham's Royal "Progress" through Scotland.—Annoyance of William IV., who Determines to Get Rid of Him.—"The Fall of Icarus."—"The Vaux and the Grapes."—The Irish Coercion Bill of 1833.—Irish Disaffection which led Up to It.—List of Irish Crimes for One Year.—Scenes between English and Irish Members.—"Prisoners of War."—Good Effects of the Coercion Bill.—Irish Agitators of 1833 and 1883 Compared.—O' Connell and the Irish Peasant.—Unscrupulous Political Conduct of O'Connell.—"The Comet of 1835."—"Doctor Syntax [i.e. Peel] on his Faithful Steed in Search of the Picturesque."—Amazing Number of HB's Political Sketches.—His failings.—His Imitators and their Fate.pp. 254-276.
John Leech.—Birth.—At Charterhouse.—The "Coach Tree."—Early Efforts in Drawing brought to the notice of Flaxman.—Apprenticed to Whittle, an Eccentric Medical Man.—Transfer of Leech's Indentures.—Early Work.—Applies to Illustrate "Pickwick."—Style not Matured till 1840.—An Attack on Dickens.—Attack on "Phiz."—Attack on D'Israeli.—"Bentley's Miscellany."—Joins Punch.—Marriage.—The "Right-hand Man in Punch's Cabinet."—"Illuminated Magazine."—Portraits of Leech in Punch.—Douglas Jerrold and Albert Smith.— Douglas Jerrold and À Beckett.—Leech at a Fancy Ball.—Albert Smith and the Wide-awake Innkeepers at Chamounix.—George Cruikshank Borrowing from Leech.—Influence of Cruikshank on Leech.—The Two Compared.—Abhorrence of Frenchmen.—Mistake in "The Battle of Life."pp. 277-293.
John Leech's Punch Cartoons.—The "Albert" Hat.—O'Connell.—Sir James Graham.—"Peel's Dirty Little Boy."—"How do you Like the New Whig?"—"The Premier's Fix."—"The Railway Juggernaut."—Between Free Trade and Protection Sir Robert Peel falls through.—"Dombey and Son."—Lord Brougham "in order."—Smithfield.—Louis Philippe.—The Year of Unrest, 1848.—French Expedition to Rome.—"A Bright Idea."—General Haynau and Barclay & Perkins' Draymen.—"Joe" Hume.—The "Papal Aggression" Cartoons.—"The Boy who Chalked up 'No Popery' and then Ran Away."—Great Exhibition of 1851.—The Coup d'état.—The Peace Society.—"The Old 'Un and the Young 'Un."—War with Russia.—Evils of the Purchase System.—Generals Janvier and Fevrier.—"The Return from Vienna."—Incapacity of English Generals.—"Urgent Private Affairs."—"Staying Proceedings."—The Royal Levées.—The French Colonels.—"Religion à la mode."—Fête at Cremorne.—Plots against the French Emperor, and their Consequences.—"Invasion of French Light Wines."—pp. 294-314.
Exhibition of Leech's "Sketches in Oil" at the Egyptian Hall in 1862.—What Thackeray said of them.—Gradual Decrease in the Numbers of his Cartoons for Punch.—Overwork.—Goes to the Continent with Mark Lemon in 1862.—"A day at Biarritz."—Returns with no Benefit.—Leech and Thackeray at Evans's in December, 1863.—Thackeray and Leech at Charterhouse on "Founder's Day."—Thackeray at the Wednesday Punch Dinner, 15th of December, 1863.—Death of Thackeray.—Death of Mr. R. W. Surtees.—The Punch Council Dinners.—John Leech a faithful Attendant.—"Moses Starting for the Fair."—John Leech's Illness described.—No Falling off in the Quality of his Designs.—"St. Genulphus." —Starts off for Homburg with Mr. Alfred Elmore.—Death of Thomas Frederick Robson.—His Wonderful Powers Wasted.—Leech goes to Whitby.—Shirley Brooks joins him.—"The Weinbrunnen Schwalbach."—Reminiscences of the Whitby Visit.—Opening of Fechter's Season at the Lyceum.—John Leech at a Party at Mr. W. P. Frith's, 13th of October.—At the Weekly Punch Dinner, 26th of October.—Serious Change for the Worse.—His Death.—Shock caused by his Death in London and the Provinces.—His Funeral.—Shirley Brooks' Memorial in Punch.pp. 315-335.
Hablot Knight Browne ("Phiz").—Invincible Tendency to Exaggeration.—Charles Lever's Opinion.—Weakness and Attenuation of his Figures.—Compared with John Leech.—Tendency to Reproduce.—All his Heroes closely Resemble One Another.—Charles Lever's Complaint on this Score.—Great Ability of the Artist.—"Ralph Nickleby's Visit to his Poor Relations."—Newman Noggs.—Squeers.—Mrs. Nickleby's Lunatic Admirer.—"Pecksniff's Reception of the New Pupil."—"Pleasant Little Family Party at Mr. Pecksniff's."—"Warm Reception of Mr. Pecksniff by his Venerable Friend."—Quilp and Samson Brass.—Quilp and the Dog.—Mrs. Jarley's Waxwork Brigand.—Capture of "Bunsby by Mrs. Macstinger.—"Sunday under Three Heads."—The Jack Sheppard Mania of 1840.—"The Way to the Gallows made Easy and Pleasant."—"Phiz" not a Born Comic Artist.—Excellence in Depicting Graver Subjects.—"The Dombey Family."—"Mrs. Dombey at Home."—"Abstraction and Recognition."—"The Dark Road."—"Carker in his Hour of Triumph."—"Bleak House."—Why Browne suited Charles Dickens's Requirements.—Coolness between Artist and Author.—One of Browne's Finest Illustrations.—Decline of Book Etching.—Browne without an Idea of his Own.—Powerful Assistance rendered to Novelists by Book Illustrators of his day.—Sketches and Studies.—Death of the Artist.pp. 336-354.
Kenny Meadows.—"Portraits of the English."—A Thoroughly Useful Man.—Some Works Illustrated by Meadows.—His Merits Unequal.—His Contempt for Nature.—An Early Illustrator of Punch.—His Illustrated Shakespeare.—Some Excellent Work of Meadows.—His Death.—Robert William Buss.—Recommended to Illustrate "Pickwick" on Seymour's Death.—Etchings Suppressed.—The "Buss Plates" not his at all.—His Paintings.—Lectures on Caricature and Graphic Satire.—Comic Publications which preceded or ran side by side with Punch.—Alfred William Forrester (Alfred Crowquill).—"A General Utility Man."—Crowquill a Caricaturist.—His Talent and Cleverness.—Some of His Paintings.—Charles H. Bennett.—"Shadows."—"Shadow and Substance."—"Origin of Species."—Taken on the Punch Staff.—Early Death.—Theatrical Performances for the Benefit of his Family.—Kate Terry.—Thackeray as a Comic Artist.—Satire on Charles Lever.—Unfitted to Illustrate his own Novels, and why.—His Genius Displayed in Literature not in Art.—Illustrations to "Vanity Fair" Considered.—Anthony Trollope on this Subject.pp. 355-380.
First Work of Richard Doyle.—Receives his Art Training from his Father.—Joins Punch. The Peace-at-any-Price Party.—The Troubles of 1848.—The Sea-Serpent of Revolution Upsetting the Monarchical Cock-boats.—Lord Brougham.—Richard Doyle's Dream of the Future of Ireland.—The Window Tax.—"Manners and Customs of Ye Englishe."—"The Month" upon Exeter Hall.—Establishment of the Papal Hierarchy in England.—The Causes of Doyle's Retirement from Punch Explained.—Unselfishness of His Conduct.—Ultimate Consequences on his Prospects.—Number of his Punch Illustrations.—Caricatures of Richard Doyle.—"Brown, Jones, and Robinson."—Works Illustrated by Doyle.—Mr. Hamerton's Criticism on his Illustrations to "The Newcomes."—His Death.—John Tenniel.—Joins Punch at the Commencement of Troublous Times.—Death of the Duke of Wellington.—Battle of Oltenitza.—Lord Aberdeen as the "Courier of St. Petersburg."—Lord Aberdeen tries to Hold in the British Lion.—England the Unready.—"Peace" Seated on the Garrison Gun.—Punch's Low Estimate of the Third Napoleon.—An "International Poultry Show."—"The Eagle in Love."—"Playing with Edged Tools."—"An Unpleasant Neighbour."—Louis Closes his Firework Shop "to please Johnny."—Miss Britannia Refuses to Dance again with Louis.—Mr. Tenniel one of the most Versatile of Modern Designers.—Examples of his Graphic Satire.—Notice of his Cartoons Closes with 1864, in Accordance with the Plan of the Work.—His Comic Powers.pp.381-400.
|A Buz in a Box
|From Woodcut Reproduction of the Original Caricature.
|Grand Entrance to Bamboozlem
|From Woodcut Reproduction of the Original Caricature.
|Leap Year; or, John Bull's Peace Establishment
|From Woodcut Reproduction of the Original Caricature.
|A Peep in the Pump Room
|From Woodcut Reproduction of the Original Caricature.
|"Creeping Like a Snail"
|From Original Woodblock in possession of the Publishers.
|Old Enough to Know Better
|From Original Woodblock in possession of the Publishers.
|The Departure
|Dick Swiveller and the Lodger
|The Rioters
|Sam Weller and his Father
|Woodcut Reproductions of the Original Sketches.
|Interior of a Barber's Shop
|Salutation Tavern
|Strephon and Chloe
|By Permission of Messrs. Chatto & Wintus.
|Frozen Out Gardeners
|"Swearing the Horns" at Highgate
|Both by permission of Messrs. W. & R. Chambers.
|Bat Boroo
|The Braintrees
|The Deaf Postilion
|The Dentist
|The Elves and the Cobbler
|Above six by permission of Messrs. Geo. Bell & Sons.
|The Gin Shop
|From Woodcut Reproduction of the Original Caricature.
|The Old Commodore
|By permission of Messrs. Geo. Routledge & Son.
|Russian Condescension
|From Woodcut Reproduction of the Original Caricature.
|A Scene in Kensington Gardens
|From Woodcut Reproduction of the Original Caricature.
|"A Tall Figure her Sight Engrossed"
|By permission of Messrs. Geo. Routledge & Son.
|The Tête-a-Tête
|The Waits of Bremen
|The Witch's Switch
|Above three by permission of Messrs. Geo. Bell & Sons.
|John Bull Flourishing
|Woodcut Reproduction of the Original Caricature.
|Cuts from "The Universal Songster"
|By permission of Messrs. Geo. Routledge & Son.
|The Abbot of Marmoustiers
|The Landlord of the Three Barbels
|Monseigneur Hugon
|Serjeant-of-the-Justice Taupin
|Above four by permission of Messrs. Chatto & Windus.
|A Connoisseur
|The Gout
|A Lesson in Apple Dumplings
|Napoleonic Caricatures
|18, 20
|The National Assembly
|A Peep at Christie's
|Royal Affability
|Above seven by permission of Messrs. Chatto & Windus.
|Shakespeare Sacrificed
|Woodcut Reproduction of the Original Caricature.
|Twopenny Whist
|By permission of Messrs. Chatto & Windus.
|Marriage à la Mode
|Woodcut Reproduction of the Original Sketch.
|The Gallery
|The Non-Paying Audience
|Woodcut Reproductions of the Original Sketches.
|The Election
|"I hope, Mr. Smug, you don't Beat your Boys!"
|The Mayor and Corporation of Swinestead
|"All the Talents"
|"Anything will do for an Officer"
|The Cobbler's Cure for a Scolding Wife
|Trumpet and Bassoon
|Above six by permission of Messrs. Chatto & Windus.
|A Mountebank Painter
|By permission of Messrs. Chatto & Windus.
|The Adelaide Mill
|Woodcut Reproduction of the Original Caricature.
|The Dying Clown
|Woodcut Reproduction of the Original Sketch.
|Angelica Arrives just in Time
|By permission of Messrs. Smith, Elder & Co.
|Brown, Jones, and Robinson
|By permission of Messrs. Bradbury, Agnew & Co.
|By permission of Messrs. Smith, Elder & Co.
|Marginal Sketches (2)
|By permission of Messrs. Chatto & Windus.
|Monks of the Order of Flagellants
|Prince Bulbo
|Both by permission of Messrs. Smith, Elder & Co.
|"General Complaint"
|Both by permission of Messrs. Chatto & Windus.
"The Farthing Rushlight."
The author desires to express his sense of obligation to the several publishers who have courteously granted him permission to reproduce drawings, the copyrights of which are vested in themselves; and at the same time to state his regret that other publishers, similarly situated with respect to other works, have not seen their way to render it possible for him to supply specimens of the style of certain artists, two of whom in particular, John Leech and H. K. Browne, must needs be conspicuous by their comparative absence.
Such Caricatures and Book Illustrations as have seemed specially desirable—of which the copyrights have lapsed and no editions are at the present day in print—have been engraved for this work by Mr. William Chesire.
This work was published before January 1, 1923, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.


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Of what significance is gun ownership compared to voter fraud? You see, the half dozen or so cases of voter fraud over the past ten years is far more pressing than a not-so-occasional wacko exercising his 2nd Amendment rights by slaughtering human beings with a military assault weapon.
California gun laws are already very strict. Like, you have to take a test and score 18 out of 25. And if you fail it, you are provided the answers and then you must retake the very same test, until you you pass it or until the gunshop owner gets tired of waiting on your repeated efforts and goes off to attend to some other patriotic customer.
No, the real problem isn't guns. It's that young impoverished and desperate black males have procured guns from responsible owners and then gone ballistic in our schools. How many of the shootings at schools, after all, have been committed by inner city black youths who have stolen military assault weapons from patriotic suburbanites? That's the real crime, which needs to be addressed but not with MY tax money.
I rest my case. Let's slow things down until we're able to logically sort through all the relevant facts.

subset: commoncrawl


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After several high-profile artists backed out of planned performances at SeaWorld, others are now stepping in. Last week, Alan Jackson and Kid Rock announced they would play the Bands, Brew & BBQ concert series — and they did so, each performing this past weekend (Feb. 1 and 2) at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida.
Now SeaWorld has unveiled that singer Gretchen Wilson and comedian Bill Engvall have now signed up to perform as part of the series. Wilson appears this Saturday (Feb. 8) and Engvall the following day.
The event is supposed to feature weekend performances through March 9, though no additional artists are listed. The Orlando Sentinel writes that additional names are not being revealed until "a few days before they are scheduled to perform" in order to "insulate" them from the "pressure" of animal rights groups and others who urged artists to cancel appearances late last year.
Related: Martina McBride, Others Back Out of SeaWorld Performances
The controversy began when a string of artists, including Martina McBride, Willie Nelson, Trace Adkins, Joan Jett and Trisha Yearwood, pulled out of scheduled performances in response to the recently released documentary Blackfish. The film follows the life in captivity of an orca (a.k.a. 'killer whale') named Tilikum that attacked and killed trainer Dawn Brancheau and two others in three separate instances. The film suggests that it was Tilikum's life in captivity that caused the whale's aggression.
"I don't agree with the way they treat their animals," Nelson told CNN regarding SeaWorld. "It wasn't that hard a deal for me."
SeaWorld has responded aggressively to the accusations with a series of newspaper ads and press statements, the most recent of which calls the film Blackfish "propaganda" and claims it "conveys falsehoods, manipulates viewers emotionally, and relies on questionable filmmaking techniques to create 'facts' that support its point of view."


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News & Events
For the Media
Theoretician, Chemist and Researcher George Schatz Receives Clarkson University Honorary Degree
[A photograph for media use is available at http://www.clarkson.edu/news/photos/gschatz2.jpg.]
George C. Schatz, the Charles E. and Emma H. Morrison Professor of Chemistry and of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Northwestern University, received an honorary doctor of science degree at Clarkson University's 119th Commencement today.
Schatz is a world-class theoretician, chemist and researcher in the optical, structural and thermal properties of nanomaterials and biomaterials.
The degree was awarded for his "remarkable vision and pioneering research in the field of chemical reaction dynamics that has laid the foundation for today's research in combustion, atmospheric and space chemistry, and his scholarly achievements in the fields of chemistry, nanoscience, biomaterials and computational electrodynamics; and for his steadfast dedication to mentoring tomorrow's scientific leaders."
In addressing the Class of 2012, Schatz said, "Forty-one years ago I sat where you are now today and I wondered, what is the future going to bring?
"The good news for me, and this news also applies to you, is that I had a Clarkson education. I had the grounding of fundamentals and I also had the training for independent thinking. I had the role models; I had the professors who had not only educated me, but who became my friends and who have played a huge role throughout my career.
"Let me conclude by simply saying, good luck to you all. Have fun. I look forward to hearing about the great things that you will accomplish in the future."
Over the past 35 years, Schatz has published three books and more than 650 papers, contributing significantly to theories of dynamical processes important in chemistry, including gas phase and gas/surface reactions, energy transfer processes, transport phenomena and photochemistry. He recently appeared on the Times Higher Education list of the Top 100 Chemists of the Past Decade.
In the field of chemical reaction dynamics, Schatz was one of the pioneers in the application of quantum scattering methods to determine the cross sections and rates of simple gas phase reactions. With these methods and surfaces, he was involved in early studies of many reactions important to combustion, atmospheric and space chemistry.
Schatz's work in nanoscience has contributed to the development of computational electrodynamics and electric structure methods for the study of noble metal particles and molecules interacting with metal particles.
This work has led to the basic understanding of the influence of nanoparticle size, shape, arrangement and environment on these optical properties, leading to applications of these particles in biomolecule detection.
Schatz has also been involved in studies of self-assembly processes, DNA structures and the patterning of molecules on surfaces and has studied the mechanical properties of hard materials, including diamond films, grapheme and carbon nanotubes.
Schatz, who was born in Watertown, N.Y., earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Clarkson University in 1971, and then went on to earn a Ph.D. from Caltech in 1976 and perform postdoctoral work at MIT.
He has been at Northwestern since 1976, where he oversees a research group of some 20 graduate students and postdocs. Throughout his career at Northwestern, Schatz has been a mentor and advisor to hundreds of students. He has taught courses in chemistry, physical chemistry, quantum chemistry and advanced topics in chemistry.
Schatz is a member of several national academies, including the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Sciences.
He serves as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Physical Chemistry and is the recipient of several awards, including the Bourke Medal of the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Feynman Prize of the Foresight Institute, the Herschbach Medal, and the Debye Award of the American Chemical Society.
Clarkson University launches leaders into the global economy. One in five alumni already leads as a CEO, VP or equivalent senior executive of a company. Located just outside the Adirondack Park in Potsdam, N.Y., Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university for undergraduates with select graduate programs in signature areas of academic excellence directed toward the world's pressing issues. Through 50 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, arts, sciences and health sciences, the entire learning-living community spans boundaries across disciplines, nations and cultures to build powers of observation, challenge the status quo, and connect discovery and engineering innovation with enterprise.
Photo caption: Clarkson University President Tony Collins (left) presents an honorary doctor of science degree to George C. Schatz, the Charles E. and Emma H. Morrison Professor of Chemistry and of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Northwestern University.


text: Meeting Day and Time: Arranged Course Description and Content: Independent work in analysis and interpretation of various aspects of textiles and apparel field. Required Texts and Readings Arranged by instructor. Outline Course Requirements This course is an individually designed tutorial. Students must propose a topic of study for approval by faculty sponsor. Departmental permission form must be completed before registration. Other Comments P: Consent of department. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Topic may vary.


text:
" The motion responsive Wii Controller is precise, comfortable and consistent. With built in speakers and an impressive battery life, you get a lot for your money. "
* Prices may differ from that shownMore Offers
--What is it?--
Well, it's probably pretty obvious what this is but let's explains anyway. The Wii controller comes with the Wii console. It is a motion sensing controller than looks rather like a television remote. It is connected to the Wii console using infra-red.
--How to use it--
Using the wrist strap, the controller is securely fastened to your wrist to stop you from dropping it or throwing it towards the TV. I've seen plenty of pictures of smashed TV's caused by the controller, so it's best to use this! You then move the controller around while pointing at the TV to move the curser around. Depending on what game you are playing, the action you are required to do will change such as shaking it or using it as a golf club, tennis racket etc. It can also be held while you are running on the spot or dancing to zumba and will then takes your score according to the movements.
--What can be used with it?--
There are many things that it can be used with such a nanchuks. Though I have never used this, this will be inserted in the bottom of the controller via a wire and the nanchuck will be held in the other hand. You can also place it into a plastic car wheel to then play driving games such as Mariocart. I think the first one you should buy if you are thinking of purchasing any extras is the grip. This is like a sleeve that is placed over the remote and attached at the bottom. This makes it easier to hold as well as being much more powerful
--Would I recommend it?--
Well if you have a Wii console, it certainly is an essential part! ;)
I got this remote actually with the wii when I bought it, but you can buy them seperately and I got a couple off Ebay for around £11, they do come in different colours also as I got mine in pink and also a blue one too.
The remote I got is entirely white in colour, and it does come with a grey strap, which I would recommend to use to keep the remote safe in your hands.
The front of the remote
The front of the remote is the most important part where all the buttons are, to start you have the power button, this is what you use to turn the wii on without having to move over to the box.
Then you have the directional keypad, you really only use this in certain games, as the sensor part takes you to most things you need.
The A button is used for most games, but it does do different things on each of the games, so you would need to read the individual games manual to find out what it works as.
The home button, this is also the pause button for when you are in the middle of a game, or you can quit back to the main wii menu, this also tells you how much battery life you have left in your remote, so its a good thing to use.
The plus and minus are not really used for too much but they can be used in certain games for things, this you would have to again read the manual.
Then lastly there is the 1 and 2 button, again these are not really used for much but they are there if you need them in any sort of game.
The back off the remote
On here you have your B button which is again used for different things depending on the game, so you will need to check.
Then you have the battery cover to take tthis off you just pull the clip up and the back will very easily slide off, the remote takes 2 AA batteries, but they do eat batteries like mad so I would recommend buying rechargable batteries they maybe a little bit more expensive but in the long run they will work out cheaper.
Then there is the motion sensor at the bottom of the remote, for this there is a lock button which you need to move to unlock to be able to take the motion sensor off.
The sides of the remote
These are really just plain with not much on them, but you do however have the clips to take off the motion sensor once you have moved the back button to unlock you have to push in the buttons at the side to be able to take off the motion sensor.
Also at the bottom of the motion sensor is where the Nunchuck plugs in or it can be put in place of the motion sensor, however I did find that the remote was really no good without a motion sensor so you should have no need to unplug it.
How to sync your remote
Now this is something I had to google as I did not have a clue, your remote will not work until it has been synced with your wii. To do this you need to make sure you have inserted batteries, then turn on your wii console maually and lift down the SD card cover, also take off the battery cover off your wii remote.
On the remote you will then need to press and release the red button that is near the battery compartment. Once you've done that you should notice the remote blinking. As soon as you see the lights you will need to press and release the red sync button on the Wii console. Then it should all be ready and working.
my overall opinion
Well really what can you say about this remote, it is really a must as your wii won't work, the remotes do work well, and the motion sensor does work well, but you do have to make sure you have the remote pointing at the sensor bar.
Official Nintendo Wii Remote
When you purchase a Nintendo Wii you will need a Wii Remote to be able to play the games on your Wii. Thankfully most of the Wii bundles available in the shops come with at least one Official Nintendo Wii remote. If you require extra remotes though they can be purchased separately at a bit of a cost for the official ones, but there are cheaper unofficial ones available. My personal preference though is the Official Nintendo version.
I have been lucky in the sense that I have managed to get 3 out of 4 of my remotes with either the wii when we got it or through games promotions including a free remote. I did however purchase one official wii remote separately just to make my number up to 4.
** In The Box **
I ordered my Wii remote from play.com. When it arrived it was in a slim white box with a picture of the remote on the front. As I opened the box I could see the remote was well packaged and came complete with a protective remote jacket. Also inside the box were 2 AA batteries included, a wii remote adjustable wrist strap and an instructions sheet. The instructions sheet was in many languages including English and was clear and simple to understand.
** The Look **
From the front the wii remote looks good. Holding the wii remote vertically to face you in the top corner is a power button for turning the wii remote on and off, also at the top there is a directional button, underneath this is a round button with the letter A on it. Just beneath the A button is a small button slightly inset with a picture of a blue house, this is your home button and to the left and right of this are 2 more buttons '+' and '-' these buttons only seem to be used in most games for pausing and options menus. Towards the middle of the remote is a small dotted area, this is the remotes speaker. Under the speaker are two more small buttons with the numbers 1 and 2 on, these also don't seem to be utilised much in many games. Under these 2 button are 4 blue lights, these show which player out of 1-4 should have the remote, player one has the remote with the first light lit up, player 2 with the second light and so on.
The back of the remote only has one button, this is the B button and is shaped sort of like a trigger button. Towards the bottom of the remote on the back is the battery compartment, as well as batteries the battery compartment also contains the little red 'sync' button.
The underneath of the remote has a port for attaching accessories such as a nunchuk or motion plus. there is also a hole for you to attach the provided Wii remote wrist strap.
On the top side of the remote is a sensor area, this connects with the sensor bar that is placed either on top of or in front of your TV, this enables the wii to track the remotes movements in the games.
** The Set Up and Sync-ing of Remote **
The set up of a new wii remote is pretty simple, after taking the back off the remote and inserting the batteries you can keep the battery cover off for a moment as you need to sync the remote with your wii, if you don't sync your remote and wii then they wont connect together and wont work.
Sync-ing your remote and wii is simple, on the front of your wii there is a small flap, under this flap is a little red button, you press this red button at the same time as the red button in the battery compartment for a few seconds and then the wii remote will make a little beep noise and one of the blue lights at the bottom of the remote will be lit up, this shows that your remote is sync'd.
Also before using your wii remote you are recommended to attach the wii remote jacket to protect both the remote and also any TV's, walls or furniture you might accidentally get too close to while playing. The jacket simply slips into place over the remote. I confess I personally don't use mine as I don't like the feel of it, but I always put it on when my brother comes round to play with the wii. There is also a wrist strap which attaches to the bottom of the remote and must be worn at all possible times while playing, I don't find this too much of a problem as it annoys me when I forget and leave it dangling. Plus it saves the wii remote going flying across the room.
** Use of Remote **
Once set up the wii remote is the main controller in any wii game. There are alternatives for some games such as the classic controller or some games do require you to have a nunchuk or motion plus, these are all sold separately.
The way you use your wii remote varies from game to game. In the sports games in particular the wii remote is used in the same way as a tennis racket by swinging it like a bat, it is also used like a baseball bat for the baseball game, in golf games you can use the remote by pointing it down and taking your shot like you have a golf club in your hands. In a game like Warioware Smooth Moves the wii remote even gets balanced on your head and held in front of your nose like an elephant trunk. There are a lot of games like this which make full use of the possibilities for the remote.
In platform games such as Donkey Kong Country Returns the wii remote is held horizontally and used in the same way as a classic controller would be, but even Donkey Kong has taken advantage of the wii remotes capabilities by making the gamer have to shake or tilt the remote to do certain manoeuvres.
While games like these make full use of what a wii remote is capable of there are also a wide variety of games which require mainly point and click motions, my example of this would be Big Brain Academy where for most of the mini games you are simply pointing at the screen and selecting items. Some games including Big Brain choose to take advantage of the speaker on the wii remote and play sounds through it to incorporate into the game play.
** Attachments **
There are currently two main attachments for the Wii remote that I am aware of, these are the Nunchuk and the Wii Motion Plus.
The Nunchuk is almost like a second remote in some ways. It has a wire which plugs into the bottom of the wii remote and holding it in the opposite hand to the remote you can use this in a variety of games. My favourite use of the Nunchuk is in the Wii Play game with the Tanks game, with this you use the Nunchuk to steer the tank around and the wii remote to aim and make shots.
The Motion Plus accessory came out when Sports Resort was released and is a requirement for some games, but not all. The motion plus plugs into the bottom of the wii remote and picks up movement much more accurately than the wii remote alone which makes for a better gaming experience. The Motion Plus also has a port that the Nunchuk can be plugged into if required.
Wii remotes are now also being sold with built in Motion Plus sensors but there is a separate category for this so I wont cover it, all I will say is if you are buying a remote it would be worth the extra few pounds to have the one with a Motion Plus built in.
** Battery Life **
The wii remote requires 2 AA Batteries to function. Depending on the brand of battery you use will vary the life of the batteries drastically. For example when I have used a quality battery such as Duracell I found they lasted for what I've worked out to be around 30ish hours of gaming, but when we used the cheaper Kodak batteries they only lasted for around 6 to 8 hours. I always remove the batteries when I'm not using a remote as not removing them seemed to drain them too. Of course the best idea is to buy some rechargeable batteries and then you wont have to keep buying batteries.
** Price and Availability **
Wii remotes are widely available both in games shops and online. When I bought my wii remote it was before the release of the motion plus remotes and it cost me £32 which I thought was expensive and I could have bought a game instead. I now see though that the price has dropped down to a more reasonable £16 - £20 depending where you shop, which is a lot more reasonable.
** My Experience and Opinion **
Well, if you have a wii then you need to have a wii remote so of course I will recommend the Wii remote. I think it is a great way to play video games and the uses and possibilities for this remote are pretty much endless, I think Nintendo knew they were onto a good thing here!
Thanks for reading :)
The Nintendo Wii offered a new way of gaming to the masses thanks to its new wireless motion senor control system and this is the main controller that forms the basis for this gameplay but just how good is it?
The Nintendo Wii wireless controller is well designed and offers up a comfortable gaming experience thanks to the perfect fit in your hand (no matter if you are left or right handed) that will enable anyone to be able to pick this up and play. The controller has been shaped to have the design and feel of a television remote (although thicker than a tv remote) so that it can offer up gaming to a whole new market in the non traditional gamers.
The controller has a large amount of buttons but thankfully this does not make it too complex to use for those who are new to gaming but will also not make those in to their gaming feel constrained. The front of the controller has a D pad, a large A button, power button, home button, + and - buttons, a 1 and a 2 button all make for the ultimate in gaming control yet not making things seem overly cluttered. The back of the controller rear has a trigger like B.
The controller is filled with technology and the main part of this is the motion sensors which work brilliantly well and capture your movements no matter how fast or slow. The controller transmits the information just like a normal remote control and uses a sensor bar which you place in front of your television to ensure that the information is all picked up and input to your game from up to 30 feet away.
The controller does not come with a rechargeable battery (although you can buy this) but instead uses 2 AA batteries which you will get an amazing amount of gameplay from. The fact you are using 2 AA batteries leads to the controller being very lightweight and the placement of the battery compartment at the bottom part of the rear on the controller means it is well placed and so won't interfere with your gaming experience.
The controller is well priced and can be picked up now for around £15-£20 so that you can easily have multi player gaming at an affordable price.
The controller comes with a rumble feature in built and a little speaker too so that this is a truly interactive controller that ensures you can get the most out of your gaming experience and the fullest feedback available. Both of these things add to the excellent control on offer and make this a market leader in the quality of design and creativity.
Overall I have been very impressed with the Nintendo Wii gaming experience and this is vastly down to the wireless controller and how much control this allows for you to have. The controller allows for you to play as if using a sword, your arm, legs, tennis racket and more but all with just the one controller and thanks to the speaker on the front giving you game feedback through sound effects this just adds to the entire experience you have when using this. Excellent value for money and a great design means this allows for the Nintendo Wii control system to be used the fullest. I love the excellent level of control you can exercise thanks to this wireless controller and the whole new gaming experience it opens up with the likes of sports games now able to be experienced up on your feet rather than just played while you sit on the sofa. If you want a controller that can be used easily by everyone (no matter their level of gaming experience) then this is the control system and controller for you.
To begin with, these controllers can be a bit confusing, as they are not really like any others. It can take a bit of time adapting to the differences, but when you get used to it, it is really simple to use. It only needs the use of one hand, and all the buttons are within easy reach of where you hold the controller. The wii easily picks up what you do with the controller, which means you can really interact with the games. Of course you can you can cheat with the controllers, and only move them slightly to make the game work, but I have found that I don't like to do that, as it takes away from the fun of the game.
However, there is the problem of the controller flying into the TV if you get too involved with the game. This hasn't happened to me yet - thankfully! This does mean that you have to buy the strap for the controller, which of course is definitely advisable, but is a bit of a nuisance.
The Wii remote was revolutionary at the time it was brought out and has taken game playing to a new level. Many other companies have tried to build on the idea from Nintendo but in my opinion nothing could quite compare to the original interactive style of play designed by Nintendo.
This reminds me almost of a TV remote. It is rectangle in shape with a power button, a plus and minus button, directional arrows, a button to get to the home screen, buttons numbered one and two on the front and a larger button A with button B on the back. There are also 4 LED lights to let you know which player number you are.
The LED lights work well and what I originally thought was a useless addition has proved very useful when playing multi-player games. A quick glance down at the remote will easily tell you which number you are and therefore which player on screen. The lights are easily seen and easily recognisable with the quickest of glances and therefore you don't miss any of the game when double checking. The remote itself is very sensitive and easily picked up by the sensor. I found originally that it was too sensitive and took some getting used to but after using it several times I actually like the responsiveness of it since it means I don't need to try too hard to get it to do what I want it to. It can be a bit fiddly when playing more complex games such as SimCity but this doesn't affect game play too much and doesn't detract from my enjoyment of the game.
The remotes take two AA batteries. The cover easily slides on and off to replace the batteries when needed. The batteries last a very long time, around a month, even when used for several hours each day. You can also easily see how much battery life is left by clicking the home button. This shows how much battery life is left in each controller and pauses the game allowing you to quickly and easily check it. If using rechargeable batteries you can also buy a charging stand for the remotes although I haven't bought this and so can't comment on its effectiveness.
I have bought a cover for my remote. This is just a thick plastic sleeve which the remote fits into, without this I found the remote slightly too thin for my hands but with the added cover it makes it bulky enough to comfortably fit into my hand and has the added advantage of protecting the remote at the same time. The cover also doesn't affect the responsiveness of the remote or the ease of pressing the buttons.
Although my remote is the standard white one I believe they also come in black, blue and pink. Many remotes now come with a motion plus sensor built in. For most games that I have I've found that this sensor makes very little difference to the game play or responsiveness. However in particular with Wii Sports Resort it makes the world of difference to game play. This sensor detects even the smallest of movements in your wrist and therefore makes game play much more realistic.
Each remote also has a speaker built in to it. This enhances my experience of the games as although the sounds from the remotes aren't brilliant it does mean that it almost gives an idea of surround sound as along with the music, voices or whatever other sounds come from the TV there are extra sounds coming from the remote.
Overall I love this controller and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. It really does make game play much more interactive and realistic. Because of the movement required it has even also been used as a part of physiotherapy for arm/shoulder injuries.
It gets a 5 out of 5 from me.
One of the first things you notice about a Wii remote is how small and light it is. The remote fits nicely in your hand, its not big and buly like other consoles controllers, and only needs operating with one hand (unless a nunchuck is connected)
Only a few inches wide, the remote is operated by 2 AA batteries in the back (remotes are also available with rechargeable packs)
There are no confusing multicoloured buttons, none that are rather unneccessary and only used once in a while, the simplicity of the Wii remote is what makes it easy fr all age groups to play.
There are 8 buttons on the remote, as well as the directions D pad. The top of the Wii remote has a sensor which is picked up by the motion bar, which enables gameplay.
1) Is the power button in the top left corner - a small button with the standby symbol on it. Not only does this turn off the remote but you can also put the console into standby mode.
2) Thesecond button is the A button, situated directly under the D pad. This is quite probably the most used button on the remote, its used as the start button, and the main control button in most games.
3) This small button is the home button, pressing this can take you back to the Wii start up menu. Its also the button you use in the menu to check settings and connect controllers and so on
4 & 5) These are the - and + Use these buttons to pause gameplay, or turn the volume up or down.
6 & 7) Buttons 1 and 2. These are the least used buttons I have found so far, I have mainly used these buttons when using the controller in the wheel, as gameplay is easier using these buttons when the controller is sideways
8) This is the B button on the back. Shaped more like a trigger than a button, thats exactly what this button is used for, to trigger. Or to aim. Used as much as the A button, the 2 are the most used buttons.
In between the house button, and the 1 button, is a small speaker. I hadnt really noticed it at first, until I was playing a game and a character started speaking to me through the remote! I was very impressed with this, it makes the games slightly more 3d-like, as its almost like the characters are right alongside you! It also makes it easier to use some games on the Wii Fit game for example - I can do the step aerobics freestyle while watching normal tv as I can keep in time with the rhythm on the controller.
On the front of the remote, at the bottom, are 4 little lights. When a controller is connected, one of these lights will light up blue. This enables you to know what number player you are connected as, which comes in very handy when playing multi player games.
Its easy to connect multiple controllers to a game. Using the house button while in the Wii menu, enables players to connect more controllers. One by one, each person needs to hold down both the 1 and 2 buttons on the remote, and as the controller connects it makes a bleeping noise and the lights will light up on the remote to tell you you are connected.
On the menu, you can also keep an eye on how much power is left in your batteries too.
Nintendo quickly realised the flaws in their design when the Wii was first released, and there were many stories of remotes flying into tv screens and hitting people! They came up with solutions to get around this, and I strongly suggest using them, as I have hit my husband on the face once when the remote flew out of my hand!!
The two options I use are to have a wrist strap connected to the bottom of the controller, which ties in through a slot. These are then placed around the wrist and fastened in place with a clip. I also have a silicone cover that goes around the whole controller and has cut out sections so you can still access the buttons. The silicone gives a much better grip over the remote therefore reducng the chance of it flying out of your hand!
A great little piece of technology which succeeded in turning gaming into a fun, active pastime that the whole family can play!
This is Nintendo's defining factor when it comes to the appeal of the Wii console. It interact with a motion sensitive bar hooked up the console itself to allow wireless control that sits very comfortably in your hand. If you own a Nintendo Wii chances are you have one.
The buttons are very straight forward. the A button on top usually handles the majority of things, browsing, general interaction. The B button underneath acts as a secondary/fire button, and the control pad allows you to also browse and acts as a classic controller on some of the downloadable Snes/Megadrive games. There is a plus and minus button are used variably, in different games, and a red power button on the tip of the remote which powers down the console.
The strap seems like a patronising attempt at nannying by Nintendo but it is clear this is needed after the first playing Wii-sports tennis. The Wii-remote will slip as you flail around. The strap fastens it straight to your wrist so to avoid accidents of this nature.
You can register up to 4 Wii-remotes by simultaneously pressing down and holding the 1 and 2 buttons for a few seconds. The main user remote will have dominance over the others, and only player 1 will be able to access main menus. One of 4 tiny led panels will light up to indicate which player you are registered as. I find this handy when first switching the power on as the Wii will initially only recognise player 1's remote.
Sometimes in multiplayer games you will have to register your second (3rd or 4th) Wii-remote in order for another player to enter the game. This can be done by accessing a menu on the Wii by pressing the home button ( a house shaped symbol half way down your remote). This appears to give you two options regarding exiting the game but you should instead access the setting option at the bottom of the screen. There you can reset, reconnect and register other remotes.
You may notice a small speaker on the Wii-remote. This allows noises and sound effects to be transmitted from the game out of the speaker. You can use rechargeable AA batteries with the remote and Nintedo do supply charging docks for this purpose. Two AA batteries will usually last about 6-7 hours of play I would say.
Great invention on behalf of Nintendo.
* Also Published on Ciao.co.uk under the name Pippylong.
The Wii controller, when first announced, had everyone mesmerised. The fact that gaming no longer had to be exclusively for couch potatoes was a revolution and could change the face of gaming forever.
Without the Wii controller, the Wii would have been just another console. But the Wii's inferior graphics has became insignificant due to how fun the Wii Controller has made playing games. What makes it so amazing is the acceleromator built into the the remote- which means actions performed with the remote are reflected in what happens on screen.
The Wii Remote is generally white in colour, the same as the Wii Console. They can come in black and red, however, depending in what colour console you have. They are smaller and thinner than traditional remotes and are ergonomically designed so thay it fits perfectly in the hand. It takes 2xAA batteries and I must admit I was surprised at how long the battery life was. There are several buttons on the remote which are cleverly placed so that they are easy to press without having to stretch too much! At the bottom of the remote is a port to plug in the nunchuch, and, more importantly, at hole to loop in the wriststrap. Don't overlook or forget the importance of the wriststrap, some Wii games require some very elaborate arm/ hand gesutres and forgetting to make sure you have the wriststrap secured could mean letting go of the remote and having a broken TV or smashed window!
There is a speaker in the remote, which I also think is a great idea. It makes you more immersed in the game as the sound is very close to you and makes games feel more interactive. Also, there is a dual shock vibration inbuilt which makes in-game collision more realistic.
Overall, I love the intuitiveness of the Wii remote. It gives a new dimension to gaming by giving the player more control. It also opens up a whole new genre of games by utilising the Wii remote in all sorts of fun ways. More people can get involved too- from very young children to the older generations. It also encourages you to get off your backside- which is no bad thing!
Isn't it amazing how fast things evolve? Just over 2 years ago, I was bought a Nintendo Wii for my birthday, and I thought I'd just received the most advanced games console there was. I wasn't far wrong, but since then, so much has happened in terms of user interaction for gaming that the Wii is almost getting left behind in certain ways.
My Wii came with a controller. I initially wondered how on earth this new interactive technology was going to work with something that just looked like a TV control, and indeed, I kind of regard it as a sensitive TV controller in many ways. The remote control fits snugly into your hand, and has an adjustable wrist strap that I strongly advise wearing. I got my Wii with the Wii Sports game included, and straight away I realised how the interactive technology works. The controller has a sensor on the top of it that links with a sensor on the Wii itself. It's a simple case of pressing the connect button on each to make sure the two devices are linked, and then the contact is made through the controller and a sensor bar which you can place right in front of your screen.
I'd say that the front of the Wii remote (or Wiimote, as it is commonly known) is well designed. The buttons took a little getting used to, but there are two or three main function buttons that are well placed for your thumb and main fingers to use. There is a trigger underneath which your finger nestles naturally over and the main 'A' button on the front for the thumb. The other buttons do minimal functions, increasing depending on how complicated the game you're playing is, and for some games there is a 'nunchuk' that you need to attach in order to give yourself further control.
It's quite durable, to be honest. The wrist strap is provided so that you can use the interactivity without fear of breaking anything is you let it go. The idea behind it is that you can move around, making the actions of your character on screen (such as playing tennis or bowling or golf, etc - at least with the Wii Sports game I had). The strap means that if you're getting a bit hot and bothered, which is easily possible, then accidentally letting go doesn't result in holes in the wall, your TV or your family!
The remote also slots into all the accessories that come with various Wii games. I particularly like the fact that you can get a steering wheel, golf club or tennis racket, to further enhance the sporting experience, and the remote fits in perfectly in the housing. Similarly, if you have Guitar Hero then it clips into the guitar and links in with all of the controls to give that real guitar playing experience.
I have had connection issues, and the control bar doesn't always pick things up. This can get really frustrating when you're doing things such as the Wii Sports Active or the Wii Fit games, as in the middle of exercises when you're doing them perfectly and the computer tells you you're not, it's quite frustrating and halts the flow. This is a big disadvantage when you compare it to a wired controller which doesn't rely on movement recognition, but obviously the examples I have given are only relevant for wireless movements away from the base unit. Wires and exercise don't really mix very well!
So, at the time of its arrival onto the market, this remote was the thing to have. Time has overtaken it, though, and much more responsive controllers and programmes are now out on the market for various other consoles. However, it all depends on what you want games for. If you're just looking for basic fun and entertainment for your kids, then the Wii is perfect, and the controller is an excellent accessory. There may be slight connection and precision issues at times, but for the majority of games, it's a brilliant help. I like the fact that my son stays active while playing on it, using the controller as it's supposed to be used and keeping active - it means keeping active while playing computer games at the same time. It's going to cost you around the £15 mark for one, though, so make sure you use that wrist strap, otherwise it could be a costly replacement job!
I have had the Nintendo Wii console now approaching a year and the control which it is provided with is a simple and yet effect piece of equipment.
The Wii Remote is designed to let you as a player sit around your home in many locations and angles and play games on the Wii console.
The control itself can be in a few various colours and I have one in black and one in white. At the front of the remote is a sensor which registers with your television monitor. You place this other sensor on the top or wherever your sensors can pick up the signal and everything you do is reproduced on the game you play.
The actual remote has keypad buttons as well which can be used to access various games which need these to help you move and they have other buttons which play key roles as well.
You have a button the back as well which is angled and used on some games but not them all and on the front is the A and B buttons as well as some numbered ones as well. At the base you have a connection to place other items into control.
You can plug in a nunchuck which is another item you can use for the Wii and you can put in other items as well. You have a long strap which you tighten around the wrist to stop anyone getting a control thrown at them. I have thrown my remote before whilst playing a game of golf so this strap is essential for the safety of others.
The control requires batteries in the back and they last a long time but I currently use rechargeables as they save me more money in the long run.
The device measures at 15 x 3.5 x 3cm and is not that heavy. It looks quite thin and the main size or the bulk of the device is the battery storage area which is quite thick. They are solid and yet messy controllers.
If you play plenty of games on the Wii sometimes the moisture on your hands comes onto the control and it can leave marks and make the control slippy. You do also get a nice plastic sleeve for the control as well which helps with the grip sometimes.
I rarely make errors when pressing buttons with this control and you can sometimes shake the item around and mess around and there is never a fault. You can gain signals even when you are covering the sensor so it shows how good the connection can be.
There is a power button in the top corner which can sometimes be difficult to press and you never quite know if the remote has turned the console off or not and this is the one problem I have found. The price can vary at times between £10-£20.
You can buy remotes which are suitable for the Wii but not actually registered as Wii remotes but they are just as good but I always make sure I stick to the best and this is it.
A great remote which works fantastically well for a superb console.
The Wii has revolutionised gaming. It has brought a whole new level to game play; instead of simply sitting on your sofa, clicking buttons and watching the game character have all the fun, you can be the character, and be part of the game... and have the fun!
All of this takes place thanks to the Wiimote (or Wii Remote, for those not in the know! Lol). The Wiimote's every move is monitored on a small sensor panel that is placed either above or below your television screen. This means that YOUR every move is picked up and replicated in the game.
A Wiimote is provided with the Wii console, although extras and/or replacements are widely available, ranging in price from £15-25. There are non-Nintendo Wiimotes available, although reviews are mixed and prices aren't much lower, so I don't know if they're a good buy.
The Wiimotes are 15 x 3.5 x 3 cm, and are of an average weight for a remote. They come with a long wrist strap and a sliding plastic clip to secure, the design of the clip means that it is suitable for all. This is a very important addition to the Wiimote as it can easily slip from the hand otherwise, not only risking damage to the controller, but to your TV, console, or anything else within throwing distance!
I have dropped our remotes a couple of times, and my son has hit the TV with them more times than I can remember, but luckily they have all survived. One throw even resulted in a huge crack along the controller, yet it still works perfectly; I believe that they are pretty sturdy devices, although I would still advise you to wear the wrist strap, as it is not just the Wiimote that could get damaged.
The controller is wireless and is easily connected to the console with the click of two buttons; One on the Wiimote (located under the battery cover) and one on the console. Once connected, the Wiimote will always work with the console, even when the batteries have been removed and replaced.
It is a simple device that is very easy to master; there are very few buttons and all are widely spaced so there is no risk of pressing the wrong one, which can be an issue for those with clumsy and/or chunky fingers!
I find that the remote is very responsive, and is usually accurate in play. There are times when the remote doesn't recognise certain movements or actions, although I have noticed that they tend to be on the same few games, this makes me think that the problem is with the games, rather than the Wiimote.
All in all, I am very happy with the Wiimote. It works well, responds well, and is very hardwearing. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, although obviously it is of no use for someone who doesn't own a Wii!
The Wii has made a really big difference to gaming, making it more participative and active, and making it seem more of a group or family activity, and the Wii remote is the gadget that really makes it all possible. Although it looks like a normal console controller, although in a weird shape, it´s actually ingenious. It has a motion sensor, which means that when you move the remote in a certain way, that action is replicated on screen in the game you´re playing. For example, when you´re playing tennis in Wii Sports, you use the remote like it´s a racket and hit the ball as it comes at you on the screen. It feels really realistic, and it has been improved even further by the addition of the Wii Motionplus, which is a small extension to the remote which makes the detection of your movements even more accurate, so it can sense even the slightest move you make.
The remote has a number of buttons on it too, which means that it can be used to select options, or make choices etc. When you´re browsing menus and so on, it acts a bit like a mouse, so you get an arrow on screen, and you point to move this around and press the button to click. There´s a button on the back as well, like a trigger, and you can also use these to play games in various ways. All in all, it takes a while to get used to, but not long, and soon it feels very natural.
The Wii Remote is well-made, and I´ve had no damage done to mine. It has a strap attached, and you loop this around your wrist to stop you throwing it accidentally - which is good for your remote and other people!
The only thing I don´t like about the controller (actually, there are two things ...) is that it´s difficult to play more traditional games, as although you can hold the controller sideways and use the D-pad, it´s not very comfortable to hold, as it´s just a rectangular shape, with no curves or recesses for your fingers. There is a separate controller with a more traditional design, but you already have to buy enough additional things for the Wii, I don´t want to spend a lot of money on another thing I´ll only use for one or two games. The second thing is the battery life - this eats batteries at an incredibly fast rate, and you need to change them often, which is fiddly.
Overall, though, this is a great design that opens up a whole new type of gaming, and is enormous fun, so I would definitely recommend it.
You only have to look around the web and the various electronics stores to see that many games console manufacturers are now moving towards the wireless remote controller as the latest 'must have' for the ultimate gaming experience. Indeed, the new Kinect for the Xbox 360 does away with the controller all together, where you yourself become the 'wireless' controller. But wind back a few years and right at the very start of that ultimate gaming experience 'must have' was the Wii Remote Controller, and it was this strange little wireless gadget that started the revolution into the wireless games controllers that we see today.
But what was so special about this little white plastic box? Well for a start, you were no longer restricted by the length of the controller cable, because with the Wii Remote, you could play the game from the other side of the room whilst standing up and jumping around. The internal movement sensors would sense where the controller was in 3 dimensions, so that you actually became part of the game. You physically swung your arm whilst holding the controller to replicate your on screen character playing a tennis shot, boxing a boxer, bowling a ball or chopping wood, and in turn the controller had a feedback vibration system in it to simulate the hit of the ball or the boxing punch of your character connecting with your opponent. Each movement was detected in terms of direction and speed, where the whole concept took gaming to a whole new level by making you become more involved with the game, and it proved to be such a success that many of the other games console designers are now following this wireless concept.
When you buy the Wii games console, you only get the one Wii remote, but you can have up to 3 others linked into the console for plenty of 4 player action. In the early days, many users 'apparently' experienced accidents and breakages through their over enthusiastic usage of the controller, which had 'apparently' slipped out of their hand and went through the closed patio door window, or smashed that 'priceless' Ming vase that they kept on the fireplace. Hence, the first thing you do with this controller is to attach it to your wrist using the special cord that is attached to the bottom of the controller, and slide the little plastic lock down the cord to ensure that the cord is a snug fit on your wrist.
You'll then find that this light weight controller sits nicely in your hand, and is equally at home in either the left or the right. The finish is excellent with the shiny white plastic casing and smoothed off edges, where the controller feels like it is balanced, well designed and built.
The number of buttons on it is minimal because the movement and direction are all sensed by the internal onboard movement sensors. At the top of the top face is the discrete power on/off button, below which is the 'plus' pad button for use with some selections. Next comes one of the main gaming buttons (marked A) which you often operate with your thumb. Coming down further you have the 'Home' button flanked either side by a + and a - button, all 3 of which tend to be used outside of the game. Below these is the tiny speaker that, along with the vibration that I described earlier, completes the feedback loop to the gamer. The top face finally drops down to 2 vertical buttons marked 1 and 2, used to assist menu selections, before finishing with 4 little blue lights which light up to indicate which controller and character you are if there is more than one player. On the back of the remote you have the other main gaming button/trigger (marked B) which you tend to control with your forefinger. Simple controls to ensure that anyone of any age can operate the Wii Remote.
In use, it becomes a natural extension of yourself and your movements. It matches what you do and translates that to your on screen character's movements. It recognises your tennis swing, your jumping movement, or the turning movement for a steering wheel. I've always found that translation of movement to always be fluid and precise enough for the variety of games that we play as a family, much like moving a mouse across a computer screen.
Pricewise they are expensive at around £27 each, and with only one remote supplied with the console, if you plan to use the console's full potential with 4 players, it is going to cost you a small fortune. But once you have taken that costly decision, this Wii remote opens up a whole new level of gaming to you and your family and friends, where new Wii games and concepts are continuing to be released to expand the unlimited boundaries of this remote.
The games console wireless controller revolution has begun, and whilst the other manufacturers are playing catch-up, to me, this Wii Remote wireless controller that started that revolution is still the best of the bunch.
In my household we always seem to be a little behind on all the new electronic gadgets that come out but we get there. I think money is always a huge part of our problem with two little ones they always come first. So in January 2008 we got what everyone was talking about a wii. I thought it would be nice as my other half has his beloved Xbox this was something for us both and for the kids to grow into. In a basic package you get the wii console, the leads to fix it up with, wii sports and a wii remote and nunchuck.
The wii remote has opened so many new doors for games consoles with its motion sensor technology. As soon as we used it I loved it. In my eyes it makes gaming more fun. So ok I'm not a huge gamer know it all. I just like to have a bit of simple fun and this gives you that. I guess it doesn't compare to the Xbox and PS3 with their latest releases of Call of Duty Black Ops (and have I heard about that this week!). But this game console gives you fun family entertainment. There is nothing like the wii remote sitting it in a line with other games consoles remotes it stands out alone.
The wii remote is the primary control for all wii games but adaption's can be added to it for example the nunchuck. The thing that makes it so exciting is the motion sensor allowing you to move just simply by turning the remote left or right, up and down or round. You will find not all games require using the remote like this but many do like the sports which is extremely fun. The wii can be used like any other normal remote with direction buttons and A and B.
So what is the remote like? It is rectangle, long and thin. It measure about 14 ½ cms long, 3 ½ cms wide and at its widest it is 3cms in depth. So you can see it's not a very big remote and sit nicely in your hand like a tv remote. I find it very comfortable to hold. It does come with a safety strap to pop round your wrist I think this was added after there were so many accidents with people letting go of the remote while getting that strike at bowling! It is a wireless remote which it had to be for the motion sensor to work at its best. This does mean it does require two AA batteries. The battery life on them is great even after hours of use but we do use the Duracell batteries not sure on how it would perform on cheaper batteries.
I found the wii remote not to be too complicated. It does have a few buttons on it but as a none gamer I picked it up quickly. At the top is the power button and then a plus shaped button which is you directionally button up, down, left and right. Below is a large clear A button which you use most often when playing games with the B button on the back of the remote. There is a very small home button in between a plus and a minus button. The home button takes you straight back to the menu if you want exit the game. 1 and 2 buttons towards the bottom of the remote are used for more complex games. Along the bottom are four small squares they have a blue LED light in them. Each one represents which number remote player you are as you can have four remotes linked up to the console at one time.
A wii remote will cost you around the thirty pound mark which isn't too bad for a remote for a games console. You do have to pay extra for a nunchuck or any other gadget you want to add to it. I would recommend buying a cover for you remote just to protect it against any bangs it may have and the fact it has a slipplery surface so when you hands get sweaty (believe me they will!) it does slip about. The rubber protector helps with this.
I love the wii remote or the wiimote as it is nicknamed. It just sits in your hand nicely and is super light to hold. I found it uncomplicated something I needed. Even my other half who is a huge Xbox fan likes it too. He finds the wii lighter hearted and a fun thing to use. I have had the original remote that came with the console for nearly two years and it is still going strong it looks in perfect condition and works just as good as it always did.
To make gaming as accessible to people of all ages and all abilities, Nintendo wanted to create a controller that was as inviting as it was sophisticated. The outcome is the Wii Remote controller. Nintendo fused the familiarity of a remote control with the sophistication of motion-sensing technology to come up with an input device for the ages!
Sporting the size of a traditional remote control, the wireless Wii Remote controller is a multifunctional device that is limited only by the game designer's imagination. In a tennis game, it serves as your racket you swing with your arm. In a driving game, it serves as your steering wheel. For first-person shooters, the remote acts as your weapon that you point at an enemy. The list of potential uses goes on and on.
Using Bluetooth technology, the wireless Wii Remote controller sends your actions to the Wii console from as far as 30 feet away. As a pointing device, the controller can send a signal from as far as 15 feet away. Up to four Wii Remote Controllers can be connected at once, making for some great multiplayer fun!