The “Old Pub.” of sixty years ago is now The Victoria Tavern, Great Northern Railway. Maiden Lane is York Road, and Battle Bridge is known as King’s Cross, from a statue of George IV.—a most execrable performance—taken down in 1842.
Great sculptors all conwarse wi’ me,
And call my taste diwine, sirs—
King George’s statty at King’s Cross
Vas built from my design, sirs.
The Literary Dustman.
Besides the authors already mentioned. Tom Dibden, Farrell, and Douglas Jerrold, each produced dramas upon the popular theme; and during the seasons of 1821-2, “Life in London” was performed with great éclat, at ten theatres in and around the metropolis, to overflowing houses. But Pierce Egan at length became tired of the successes of the playwrights in using his book, and resolved to try his own hand at a dramatic version—or, as he termed it, “to take a leaf or two out of his own book”—and the Author’s Piece was “got up” and performed for the first time at Sadler’s Wells, under the respectable management of Mr. Egerton, on Monday, April 8, 1822, with most decided success.
It was thus announced by Mrs. Egerton, in the address written for the occasion by T. Greenwood, Esq.
“To-night, my friends, this modern taste to meet,
We show you Jerry at his country seat;
Then up to town transport the rustic beau,
And show him ‘Life in London,’ HIGH and LOW.”
SADLER’S WELLS THEATRE.
Under the Direction of Mr. Egerton, of the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, Sole Proprietor.
The Brilliant Success, and increasing Attraction of Pierce Egan’s “Tom and Jerry”: not exceeded by any performance ever yet produced; and the celebrated Pony Races, exciting an interest equal to the Race Course itself: being nightly performed to crowded Audiences, amidst Roars of Laughter and Shouts of applause, will be repeated Every Evening, at half-past six o’clock precisely:—
The new Pedestrian, Equestrian, and Operatic Extravaganza: in Three Acts—of Gaiety, Frisk, Lark, and Patter, called