The Merry Past 



or " swell " spent much of his time in one of the few 

 fashionable clubs, membership of which was an indis- 

 pensable adjunct of his life. When he lounged down 

 Bond Street or walked in the Park, he bore himself as 

 a dandy of the first water, and the anxiety he evinced 

 as to his dress, and the assumption of a certain swagger, 

 plainly proved that his promenade was an event in his 

 own opinion, at least, of some importance. 



As late as 1806 men about town still frequented 

 coffee-houses, which were crowded in the evening. 

 The resorts in question, whilst greatly promoting 

 sociability, could not in any way compare in comfort 

 with the clubs — coffee-houses were stuffy, ill-ventilated 

 places. 



At that time there were in London many small 

 clubs which held their meetings at a late hour of the 

 night in cosy taverns, where the rooms were carpeted 

 with sawdust, and the tables were of the darkest 

 mahogany, stained by the marks of pewter-pots and 

 the blemishes caused by heated tumblers. Prints 

 of famous racehorses, of ex-champions of the ring, of 

 jockeys, statesmen, and sportsmen hung on the walls. 

 The food served was simple, being limited to kidneys, 

 chops, and steaks, together with the whitest and 

 most floury of potatoes. Wine was at a discount, 

 but the beer and the spirits were of unimpeachable 

 quality. 



Such clubs as these were enlivened by much wit- 

 ticism and song, whilst many a good story, generally 

 unfitted for sensitive ears, was retailed by members 

 afflicted with much dryness of throat. Membership 



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