John Clare, the
Northamptonshire "stage peasant in
grass-green coat and yellow waistcoat," with whom Lamb walked arm in arm
along the Strand, discussing the "Clare-obscurities " of his poetry,
and followed by troops of boys, shouting, " There go Tom and Jerry,"*
who was lionized by the Mrs. Leo Hunters** of that day when he was not shut out
by their footmen.
From ‘Charles Lamb and his biographers’ (1867)
*
Characters in Pierce Egan’s 19th century bestseller ‘Life in
London’ in which Tom and Jerry’s ‘rambles and sprees through the Metropolis’
offers readers a unique glimpse into both high and low urban culture.
** A character in ‘Pickwick
Papers’ (1852) : "Mrs. Leo
Hunter—is proud to number among her acquaintance all those who have rendered
themselves celebrated by their works and talents. Permit me, sir, to place in a
conspicuous part of the list the name of Mr. Pickwick, and his brother–members
of the club that derives its name from him.’ … She dotes on poetry, sir. She
adores it; I may say that her whole soul and mind are wound up, and entwined
with it. She has produced some delightful pieces, herself, sir. You may have
met with her “Ode to an Expiring Frog,” sir.’ "
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