Chapter 14

_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 Memory 299