In 1856 "Melbourne Punch" was born, an event greeted with applause and expectation. Mr Punch was to safeguard the colony. It was already a paper renowned for its political criticism. Now it was hoped that it would clean up the colony, represent the interests of ordinary people, expose the hypocrites, snobs, cheats and corrupt officials. In 1886, only thirty years after its Victorian debut, "Punch" was amalgamaated with the Melbourne "Bulletin". Despite its promise to continue with its political criticism, "Punch" was changing from social criticism to becoming a society paper. (Introduction.)