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in those days — or vagabond soldiers on tramp for a new master to 

 fight under ; all arrangements resting with the house steward, who 

 made charges for extra privileges enjoyed by the guests ; and on 

 his catering, whether liberal or otherwise, depended the comfort of 

 the establishment. 



As population increased, and the number of travellers became 

 greater, the places of accommodation set apart at the castles and 

 manor houses in time became too small for the numbers seeking 

 lodgings for the night. In such cases the steward, if he was an 

 old servant of the place, had a detached house provided, and was 

 allowed to carry on business in connection with head quarters. 

 The family arms were still permitted to be hung in front, and gave 

 a name to the establishment. If a lion gules were displayed on 

 the heraldry, it not unnaturally attained for the house the name of 

 the Red Lion ; and if the emblem were azure, the Blue Lion ; in 

 time the innkeepers adopted these devices in order to inform the 

 public that they offered accommodation for man and beast. 



"The Adventurer," in 1752, expresses indignation at the frater- 

 nity of publicans for the extravagance displayed in the selection of 

 signboards. "Their modest ancestors," he goes on to say, "were 

 content with a plain bough stuck up before their doors, whence 

 arose the wise proverb, 'Good wine needs no bush;' but how have 

 they since deviated from their ancient simplicity? They have 

 ransacked earth, air, and seas, called down sun, moon, and stars 

 to their assistance, and exhibited all the monsters that ever teemed 

 from fantastic imagination. Their Hogs in Armour, their Blue 

 Boars, Black Bears, Green Dragons, and Golden Lions, have 

 already been exposed by your brother essay writers. What reason 

 can there be," he asks, "why the glorious Duke William should 

 draw porter, or the brave Admiral Vernon retail flip 1 Why must 

 Queen Anne keep a gin shop, and King Charles inform us of a 

 skittle ground? Propriety of character, I think, requires that 

 these illustrious persons should be deposed from their lofty stations, 

 and I would recommend hereafter that the alderman's effigy should 

 accompany his 'Entire butt beer,' and the comely face of that 

 spirited patriot who first reduced the price of punch, and raised 



