attended at the Table, and exerted
himself in _Punch's_ behalf. And when he died--the greatest blow _Punch_
had hitherto suffered by death (for Dr. Maginn was never on the
Staff)--Henry Mayhew (his son-in-law), Thackeray, Horace Mayhew, Mark
Lemon, and W. Bradbury were his pall-bearers, and Leech, Shirley
Brooks, Tom Taylor, John Oxenford, Percival Leigh, James Hannay,
Landells, Kenny Meadows, Albert Smith, and John Tenniel attended at his
graveside. Dickens took a prominent part in raising a fund for the
benefit of the widow, and with Thackeray and Dr. W. H. (now Sir William)
Russell gave readings, while Dickens' Amateurs made a public appearance,
and T. P. Cooke returned to the stage for the occasion--with a result
amounting to L2,000. Tom Taylor's feeling address, which was spoken at
the Adelphi Theatre by Albert Smith, between whom and Jerrold a kindlier
feeling had latterly sprung up, concluded thus:--

"... If one joy
From earth can reach souls freed from earth's alloy,
'Tis sure the joy to know kind hands are here
Drying the widow's and the orphan's tear;
Helping them gently o'er lone life's rough ways,
Sending what light may be to darkling days--
A better service than to hang with verse,
As our forefathers did, the poet's hearse.

Two things our Jerrold left, by death removed--
The works he wrought: the family he loved.
The first to-night you honour; honouring these,
You lend your aid to give the others ease."

FOOTNOTES:

[37] Dr. Strauss's attribution of this repartee to Robert Brough in
reproof of James Hannay appears to be quite without foundation.

[38] See p. 113 _et seq._

[39] See p. 227 _et seq._

CHAPTER XIV.

_PUNCH'S_ WRITERS: 1841-2.

Percival Leigh--His Medical Shrewdness--Unsuspected Wealth--His
Ability and Work--His Decay--Kindness of the Proprietors to the Old
Pensioner--Albert Smith--Inspires varied Sentiments--Jerrold's
Hostility--"Lord Smith"--Parts Company--H. A. Kennedy--Dr.
Maginn--John Oxenford--W. M. Thackeray--His First
Contribution--"Miss Tickletoby" Fails to Please--He Withdraws--And
Resumes--Rivalry with Jerrold--As an Illustrator--A Mysterious
Picture--Thackeray's Contributions--And Pseudonyms--Quaint
Orthography--"The Snobs of England"--He Tires of _Punch_--His
Motives for Resignation--The Letter--Death of "Dear Old
Thack"--_Punch's_ Tribute to his Mem