A reference to Douglas William Jerrold (1803-1857), Mrs. Caudle's Curtain Lectures. By "Punch." (Hartford: S. Andrus & Son, n.d. [1845?).
[Mrs. Caudle is the stereotypical nagging wife; Mr. Caudle, the original henpecked husband. The following, the final paragraph of the the opening "lecture," is a fair example of Jerrold's style. The lecture was occasioned by Mr. Caudle lending five pounds to a friend and consisted of an extended recitation of all the sacrifices his family, and particularly his wife, would have to make as a result.]
P. 11: And now, Mr. Caudle, see what a misery you've brought on your wretched family! I can't have a satin gown -- the girls can't have new bonnets -- the water-rate [i.e., tax] must stand over -- Jack [their son] must get his death through a broken windown [that they cannot afford to repair] -- our fire insurance can't be paid, so we shall all be victims to the devouring element -- we can't go to Margate [a seaside resort], and Caroline [a daughter] will go to an early grave [from consumption for lack of sea air] -- the dog will come home and bite us all mad -- that [bedroom window] shutter will go banging forever -- the soot will always fall -- the mice never let us have a wink of sleep -- the thieves be always breaking in the house -- and our dear Mary Anne [another daughter, who needed three teeth pulled] be forever left an unprotected maid -- and all, all, Mr. Caudle, because you will go on lending five pounds!