A
Description of the Metropolis

Written and Set to Music by
CORINTHIAN TOM.

London Town’s a dashing place—For ev’ry thing that’s going,
There’s fun and gig in every face—so natty and so knowing.
Where Novelty is all the rage—From high to low degree,
Such pretty lounges to engage—Only come and see!:—
What charming sights—On gala nights,
Masquerades—Grand parades,
Famed gas lights—Knowing fights,
Randall and Cribb—Know how to fib.
Tothill-fields—Pleasure yields.
The Norwich bull—With antics full.
Plenty of news—All to amuse;
The Monkey “Jacco”—All the crack O!
Ambroghetti’s squall—Match girl’s bawl!
Put on the gloves—Playful as doves
Then show your forte—At the Fives’ Court;
Conjurors rare—At Bartlemy fair;
Polito’s beasts—See city feasts,
Lord Mayor’s day—Then the play,
Adelphi Theatre—Pretty feature!
Rotton Row—All the Go!
In the Bench—Keep your wench.
When next you roam—Mathew’s “At Home!”
Such prime joking—Lots of smoking;
Here all dash on—In the fashion.
Chorus—Dancing, singing, full of glee,
O London, London town for me!
From ev’ry part the natives run,
To view this spot of land;
All are delighted with the fun,
Astonish’d ’tis so grand!
To Vauxhall haste to see the blaze.
Such variegated lights;
The ladies’ charms are all the gaze—
No artificial sights!:—
Lovely Faces—Full of graces,
Heavenly charms—Create alarms!
Such glances—And dances.
To the sky—See Saqui fly—
In the blaze—All to amaze.
Cyprians fine—Kids full of wine,
Orchestre grand—Pandean band;
Charming singing—Pleasure bringing;
Great attraction—And satisfaction:
Plenty of hoaxing—Strong coaxing;
Beautiful shapes—Beaux and apes,
Prone to quiz—Every phiz!
Dashing glasses—Queering lasses;
Flashy cits—Numerous wits;
Loud talking—Thousands walking:
Rare treating—Numbers eating;
Punch and wine—Every thing prime,
Grand Cascade—Once displayed;
Duke and groom—In one room;
Here all dash on—In the fashion!
Chorus—Dancing, singing, full of glee,
O London, London town for me!
And various fancies there display’d,
To please and cheer the mind;
They captivate both man and maid,
All polite and kind,
See fashion driving through each street,
With splendour and renown:
Pedestrians, too, with shining feet;
O, what a charming town!:—
Four-in-hand—Down the Strand!
Funny gigs—With knowing wigs;
Baxter’s hats—That queer the flats;
Flashy whips—With silver tips,
Leathern breech—Pretty stitch!
High-bred cattle—Tittle tattle,
Tattersall sell—Peep into “Hell!”
Full of play—And make a stay;
Hear Kean speak, Grimaldi squeak!
Courts of law—Full of jaw;
Brougham plead—Macauley read;
And Old Borum—At the Forum;
To Opera prance—See Vestris dance,
At Free and Easy—Full and greasy;
Prime song and catch—The Trotting-match
London Cries—O rare hot pies!
Sadler’s Wells—In summer tells;
Quick approach—In Hackney-coach;
Take your Daffy—All be happy:
And then dash on—In the fashion.
Chorus—Dancing, singing, full of glee,
O London, London town for me!

Mr. W. T. Moncrieff—one of the most successful and prolific writers of the day—appeared as the third on the list of dramatists, and it was announced at the Adelphi Theatre in the following style:—“On Monday, Nov. 26th, 1821, will be presented for the first time, on a scale of unprecedented extent (having been many weeks in preparation, under the superintendence of several of the most celebrated Artists, both in the Ups and Downs of Life, who have all kindly come forward to assist the Proprietors in their endeavours to render this Piece a complete out-and-outer), an entirely new Classic, Comic, Operatic, Didactic, Aristophanic, Localic, Analytic, Panoramic, Camera-Obscura-ic, Extravaganza Burletta of Fun, Frolic, Fashion, and Flash, in three acts, called ‘Tom and Jerry; or, Life in London.’ Replete with Prime Chaunts, Rum Glees, and Kiddy Catches, founded on Pierce Egan’s well-known and highly popular work of the same name, by a celebrated extravagant erratic Author. The Music selected and modified by him, from the most eminent composers, ancient and modern, and every Air furnished with an attendant train of Graces. The costume and scenery superintended by Mr. I. R. Cruikshank, from the Drawings by himself and his brother, Mr. George Cruikshank, the celebrated Artists of the original work.”

TOM AND JERRY;
OR, LIFE IN LONDON.

AN OPERATIC EXTRAVAGANZA

BY W. T. MONCRIEFF.