Humour was a part of normal life as demonstrated by the amount of humorous content of popular songs. Novels and plays tended to be serious although there were some humorous books and plays. Jokes and funny stories tended to centre in puns and witticisms. One of the most popular humorous book was Puniana edited by the Hon. High Rowley in 1866. Whilst much of the content would not be considered as humorous due to unacceptably racist content and relevance to people and habits of the 1850's  on which the humour would be lost in modern times quite a few of the entries still contain humour relevant to today. Some of the content of Puniana is reproduced below Why do girls like looking at the Moon? Because there is a man in it When is a black dog not a black dog? When he is a greyhound When is a blow from a lady welcome? When she strikes you agreeably
	What are the best letters of recommendation? £  s  d What asks no questions but requires many answers? A door knocker What relationship is the door mat to the door step? A step Farther ( father) What is the difference between a schoolboy and a fisherman? One hates his books while the other baits his hooks What tree does fire have no effect on? Ash as when it's burnt it's still ash What is the best flower for a Doctor cyclamen ( sickly men) Why is a young lady's bustle like a historical tale? because it's fiction based on fact what coin doubles it's value by deductions its half? Halfpenny What is more foolish then sending coal to Newcastle Sending milk to Cowes What's the difference between a market gardener and  billiard player the first minds his peas the other minds his cues