LONDON 'LIFE' AS IT WAS 139 



some, and would then fight anyone, though he were big 

 as a giant. But he was by no means averse to having 

 ' a set-to ' at any time for the love of the science, and 

 seldom got the worst in the encounter. On one occasion 

 he had a few words with a tailor, which ended in an 

 undecided battle that lasted nearly all the afternoon. 



I am reminded, when I call to mind Mr. Parker and 

 his doings in those days, of the change that has come 

 over our habits. If there be fast living in the present 

 day, it is carried on in a different way. Then was, in 

 fact, the era of fast living, and the turning of a large 

 portion of the night into day. After dinner came the 

 theatre ; then the Casino or Evans's, to hear the mighty 

 chorus and sup ; next the Cider Cellars, or the Coal 

 Hole, where Chief Baron Nicholson tried all the crim.- 

 con. cases over again, and displayed his tableaux vivants. 

 After twelve or one a.m., Bennett might be seen with his 

 lovely ' rose ' in his retreat in Jermyn Street, where an 

 unrivalled collection of female beauty was always on 

 view, displaying their delicate charms in the most 

 attractive way until daylight appeared. In Panton 

 Street, and in other houses in the Haymarket, amuse- 

 ments could be found for all classes or any age, to suit 

 their respective tastes and pockets. Thence the pleasure- 

 seekers would repair to that pandemonium known as 

 Eegent Quadrant, where at night and early morning 

 could be seen persons of all degrees reputable and dis- 

 reputable, old and young, of both sexes in various 

 stages of inebriety, whose pursuits it is scarcely health- 

 ful to describe. Such were some of the nightly amuse- 

 ments with which in those days it was thought no 

 disgrace to be identified. Others would prefer an even- 

 ing at Ben Caunt's, Johnny Broom's, or Owen Swift's, 

 to whose places most men of fashion would repair just 



