26 LITERARY ASSOCIATION. 
excellence that had been said in the course of the even- 
ing, but these records perished in the fire. Fifty years 
later, when the Prince of Wales, Duke of Norfolk and 
the poet Morris were of the members, we find this de- 
scription of a meeting. ‘‘The Duke took the chair, 
which was elevated some steps above the table and 
decorated with the insignia of the society. As the clock 
struck five, a curtain drew up, discovering the kitchen, 
in which the cooks were seen at work, through a sort of 
grating, upon which was this inscription, ‘If it were 
done when ’tis done then ’twere well it were done 
quickly.’ ”’ . 
There have been, at times, associations of congenial 
Spirits, whose meetings were. at first, unpremeditated. 
but which, becoming habitual, came to answer the same 
purpose and exert the same influence, as the formally 
organized clubs. Such a literary coterie held together 
for many years in the Chapter Coffee House, a noted 
resort for men of letters. The box in the north-east 
corner came to be known as the Wittenagemott. Here 
used to gather daily, a knot of editors, writers and book 
sellers, designated as the ‘‘ Wet Paper Club,’’ as it was 
their practice to open the papers when brought in by 
the newsmen and read them before they were dried by 
the waiter. 
In recalling the literary circles of the past, the minds 
of all of us, [am sure, would very early turn to those 
houses which became celebrated, not only for hospitality 
given both generously and gracefully, but still more for 
the intellectual character of the gatherings ; while else- 
where fashion and gayety ruled, in these lofty purpose 
and high thinking held sway. Such a one was Gore 
-House, where, about the middle of this century, Lady 
Blessington maintained soirees, bringing together people 
of the same pursuits, who were rivals for professional 
distinction ; her aim being to bring about harmony and 
