The Burletta of TOM and JERRY had been repeated so often all over the kingdom, and particularly in the metropolis, that the performers, notwithstanding the great applause they nightly received in the above piece, absolutely became tired and worn-out with the repetition of their characters, when the following piece of satire, written by T. Greenwood, Esq., was published, entitled, “The Tears of Pierce Egan, Esq., for the Death of ‘Life in London’; or, The Funeral of Tom and Jerry. Dedicated to Robert and George Cruikshank, Esqs. Price Two Shillings, with an engraving by George Cruikshank.”
“Beat out of the Pit, and thrown over the Ropes, TOM and JERRY resign’d their last breath, With them, too, expired the Manager’s hopes, Who are left to deplore their sad death!
“Odd and various reports of the cause are about, But the real one was _this_ I opine: They were run to a _standstill_, and, therefore, no doubt, That the cause was a rapid _decline_.
“When death showed his _Nob_, out of _Time_ they were beat, And neither would come to the _scratch_; They hung down their heads and gave up the last heat, Not prepared with the Spectre to _match_.
“All wept at the FUNERAL! the Fancy and all-- Some new, but a great many mended: And EGAN, while CRUIKSHANK and _Bob_ held the pall, As _Chief Mourner_ in person attended!!!
“Their _Sprees_ and their _Rambles_ no more shall amuse, Farewell to all nocturnal parleys: The Town felt regret, as the bell tolled the news, And no one rejoiced--but the _Charleys_!
“A monument, too, their kind Patrons will raise, Inscribed on--‘Here lies TOM and JERRY, Who, departing the _Stage_, to their immortal praise, ONE THOUSAND NIGHTS made the _Town merry_!!!’
“May their souls rest in peace, since they’ve chosen to flit, Like other great heroes departed; May no mischief arise from their _sudden_ exit, Nor PIERCE EGAN die--_broken-hearted_!”
In reference to the above, Pierce Egan states that Jemmy Catnach, the renowned Ballad-monger of the Seven Dials, in less than twelves hours after the publication, produced a pirated edition for street sale, for two-pence.
Mr. Pierce Egan, in his “_Finish_,” states that he reckoned no less than sixty-five separate publications, which he enumerates _in extenso_, all derived from his own work, and adds, with his usual amount of large and small CAPITALS and _italics_--“We have been _pirated_, COPIED, _traduced_; but, unfortunately, not ENRICHED by our indefatigable exertions; therefore NOTORIETY must satisfy us, instead of the smiles of FORTUNE. Our efforts have given rise to numerous productions in the market of literature, yet we can assert, with a degree of confidence hitherto unshaken, that none of our _Imitators_ have dared to think for themselves during the long period of seven years, neither have they shown any originality upon the subject of ‘LIFE IN LONDON’; but who have left it--_disinterested_ souls!--to the Author and Artist to put a CLIMAX to the adventures of TOM, JERRY, and LOGIC.” The last remark is in reference to the publication of “PIERCE EGAN’S FINISH to the Adventures of TOM, JERRY, and LOGIC, in their Pursuits through LIFE IN AND OUT OF LONDON. With numerous coloured illustrations by Robert Cruikshank. London: George Virtue & Co., Ivy Lane, Paternoster Row.” Seven years after the date of “The Life in London.” In common with almost all other sequels, or “continuations” it was not successful--the fact being that Pierce Egan, and the subject of his work were alike literally and financially “used up!”