NONE BUT THE BRAVE DESERVE THE FAIR 

John Leech made this ink drawing titled 'None but the Brave deserve the Fair'. It presents a view into Victorian social mores and gender dynamics. The image contrasts a young boy's bashful admiration with the poised elegance of a woman, likely of higher social standing. We can consider this drawing within the context of Victorian England, a society marked by rigid class structures and expectations of decorum. The boy's gesture, offering flowers, is weighed against the backdrop of a society where courtship was highly formalized. Leech's work often appeared in publications like *Punch* magazine. The institutional context of such magazines shaped public opinion. His drawings acted as both commentary and reinforcement of contemporary social norms. By consulting periodicals and social histories, we can unpack the meanings embedded in this seemingly simple scene. The drawing serves as a valuable document reflecting the values, anxieties, and power dynamics of its time.