In 1862, Jerry Thomas published the 'Bar-Tenders Guide', subtitled 'How To Mix Drinks' or the 'Bon Vivant’s Companion'.
One included a horse race with a track that started on stage, went over the audience and did a circuit outside before finishing back on stage. Meanwhile, Pierce Egan invented a drink called 'Tom and Jerry' as part of an effort to promote the shows. In the 1820s, there were extravagant stage versions which elaborated on the story.
It remained in print for many years - my own copy is a 1904 edition. The book and illustration were enormously popular and reprinted in New York, Paris and Dublin. In the 19 th century, going 'Tom and Jerry' was a common term for having a wild time. It was only when it was too late to be corrected that they found the error in this. Finding a Charley (night watchman) asleep in his box, they turn over the box (with him in it) to great hilarity. The noise rouses the other guardians of the night and our friends flee, eluding capture. On another occasion, they end up at Bow Street Magistrates Court. Measures of spirits were sometimes called “nails in the coffin,” but a damper was said to cool the spirits and pull the nails out. One evening, they fall into company that compels them to swallow repeated “flashes of lightning” and now and then a “clap of thunder” with a “damper to make all cool again” that is, repeated glasses of Gin, Brandy and Porter, after which they were all getting rather “funny”. Tom and Jerry get up to all sorts of drunken adventures. The antique print was from a book entitled “Life in London” by Pierce Egan, published in 1821, which related the adventures of Jerry Hawthorne and his friend Corinthian Tom. Jerry, who comes from the country, is shown around the high life and low life of London. They visit sites across London including the Royal Exchange and see the men of business gathered there. Some things don’t change and, when the pandemic is over, you may see LGT Vestra staff there. Also nearby our office, they visit the Half Moon tap where the boxing fraternity gathered. This is now the New Moon pub in Leadenhall Market. The link in the story is a warm cocktail that will lift the spirits in the heart of winter. It made me wonder 'Who were Tom and Jerry?' and 'Could there be a connection to a well-known cartoon cat and mouse?' Research took in the highs and lows of Regency London - from 19 th century cocktail bars and the mountains of Montana to Hanna Barbera and MGM. To end the year, rather than more economic commentary, we give you a story and recipe to bring you some cheer and warmth.Īt Christmas a few years ago, I was given an old print, which showed “Tom and Jerry” riding in Hyde Park. The recent vaccine news gives us hope that things can get better in the New Year. Christmas has its origins in a mid-winter festival when we look forward to longer days and warmer weather to come. As we near year-end, lockdowns around the world and a rising death toll will make it hard for anyone to celebrate as they normally would. Jonathan Marriott, Chief Investment OfficerĬOVID-19 has made 2020 an horrendous year for many people.
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