Chambers's Journal of Popular Literature, Science, and Art, No. 742, March 16, 1878

A lively portrait unfolds of a restless talent who turned the streets of early‑19th‑century London into his sketchbook. From a childhood marked by early doodles of grand public events to a daring foray into political caricature, the narrative follows his rise through the bustling world of cheap songbooks, satirical pamphlets, and the scandal‑ridden courts of power. Listeners hear how a single, sharp illustration of a queen’s marital ladder sparked a wave of controversy and cemented his reputation as a fearless visual commentator.

The story then moves to his most celebrated collaborations, including the flamboyant “Life in London” that introduced the mischievous Tom and Jerry to a hungry public. Amid triumphs and artistic quarrels—such as his brief clash with the Royal Academy—he pivots from biting politics to whimsical humor and moral fables. This first act offers a vivid sense of the man’s restless creativity, his wit, and the bustling cultural scene that both inspired and challenged him.