Voces Populi

"Voces Populi" by F. Anstey, is a collection of funny short stories that were first seen in "Punch" magazine in the late 1800s. Using lighthearted humor and smart comments, the book looks at different parts of public life by showing the talks and experiences of everyday people in different places. The book begins in a suburban hall, where a small and bored audience is waiting for a magic show to start. The stories show a funny back-and-forth between the magician, Herr von Kamberwohl, and the audience, who don't seem very interested and don't really believe in magic. As the magician tries to get the audience involved with his tricks, which include a hat and silly items, a sarcastic man in evening clothes makes funny remarks, which makes the situation even more silly and humorous. This first scene sets up the book's overall style, showing Anstey's skill at mixing humor with social observations.