ustan age.

we have seen, a history of its Muses had fallen upon evil own reaching back to the Aug- days. Its successive stages of

decadence reminded me of the We have written more at well-known life of a racehorse, length about Dick's and the “The High-mettled Racer,” who, Cock because so little has been after undergoing various indigsaid about them by others—Mr nities, died between the shafts Callow only gives two lines to of a dung-cart. However, the the former-and because it was house is now pulled down. The here that the real old tavern crooked passage down which so life of London breathed its many brilliant wits and scholars last,

had lurched into Fleet Street is “ And here dust and rubbish.

Not long The prints of its departing step ago we took a last look at the appear.”

old coffee-room window, now That is to say, at the New dark and dirty, from Hare Cock and the Cheshire Cheese Court, and thought of the many its extrema vestigia may be merry meetings we had known traced. But that is all. there; of the many genial com

The above celebrities whom rades who started on the race we have named as frequenters of life at the same time as ourof Dick's did not all dine there. selves, “ fellows of infinite jest, But many of them were members who are now in their graves, of a club which met there every and spared one long-drawn sigh night for nine years, known as for the fate of the dear old the Rambler. The club session tavern whose glories had ended was from the 1st of November so ignobly. to about the middle of June, Another club of much the and for these eight months the same kind, which met, however, members, who never numbered only once a-week, had its home more than two- or three-and- at one of the Covent Garden twenty, and seldom mustered taverns. Here came Professor on any one night more than Masson, Samuel Lucas of the nine or ten, continued to meet "Times,' Shirley Brooks, Hepeveryevening after dining down- worth Dixon, Sir Charles Taylor, stairs in the coffee-room with and others whose names I have out ever getting tired of each forgotten. Another such was other. Like Addison, the Ram- the Fielding, but I don't know bler “met his party" at Dick's, whether a club of this nature is and we fear, too, that, like entitled to a place in any sketch Addison, he often sat late into of tavern life, because of this the night. This goodly fellow- dinner or supper was ship was broken

up
about sential part ;

and I don't thirty years ago; but less than think “The Club” either dined, ten years ago about a dozen supped, or drank anything to survivors were found to meet speak of. Many other clubs of together at dinner, but, alas! the same description might be not at Dick's. That historic mentioned, but they hardly come temple of Bacchus and the within the scope of this article.

an

es

as

ago.

But the Cave of Harmony and Not but what there was a mixthe Back Kitchen deserve more ture of all four both at the than a passing notice. The Cave and the Kitchen. We first represented Evans's and have seen Lord Hopetoun and the second the Cider Cellars. “Cherry Angel " come into the

” Both presented many of the Cider Cellars at two o'clock features of genuine

genuine tavern in the morning to listen to life. Bardolph, described by such well-known moral songs Thackeray in "A Night's Pleas- Sam Hall” or “Joe Mugure," must have been a familiar gins," while at the same table figure in the taverns of the would be the lawyer's clerk, eighteenth century. He had a described by Dickens, who great contempt for the majority "goes half-price to the Adelphi, of the company, as being ig- dissipates majestically at the norant of Greek; and with Cider Cellars afterwards, and is some reason, as the old wretch, a dirty caricature of the fashion says Thackeray, could still turn which expired six months a slang song into Greek iam- As for the supper, there was bics, or a police report into the more variety at the Cellars. language of Herodotus. The I remember in particular the waiters knew when to bring salmi of wild-duck one used to him his fresh noggin, and after get there. Ye gods, how good five or six of these he would it was! If we remember right, reel home to his chambers in at Evans's the menu was limited the Temple, where he lived in to steaks, chops, and kidneys; solitary bachelorhood, sustained and here might be seen Buckto the last by the proud con- stone, Sergeant Ballantyne, sciousness of that superiority poor Frank Talfourd, Billy to the vulgar herd which his Hale, Albert Smith, and other classical scholarship conferred birds of the same feather, it upon him. Bardolph was not being considered almost as great an imaginary character. The a privilege to sit at “the Serpresent writer has seen him. geant’s ” table as it was to be He was a fellow of a college, admitted to another Sergeant's a double first, and a highly room by the sleek Mr Mallard. cultivated

in general. At the Cider Cellars Colonel Yet this was the life he led, Newcome, who remembered it and this was the kind of man a very different kind of place, for whom the tavern life of volunteered to sing “Wapping the last century was made. Old Stairs,” which was listened

Both at the Cider Cellars to quite respectfully. Private and at Evans's the company, individuals were allowed to sing we needn't say, very at either place if they chose; mixed. The former was rather and I remember a literary genmore patronised by the “young tleman of Scottish extraction swell,” who used to come there striking up “Bonnie Dundee" in evening dress from "Lady at Evans's, which he sang at Whiston's"; the latter by jour- the top of his voice to a tune of nalists, actors, and dramatists. his own, to the great amuse

man

was

as

ment of the whole room, and by Macaulay in his account of Paddy Green in particular, them at the time of the Revoluwho never offered to interrupt tion. In the 16th No. of the him.

'Spectator,' written by AddiIt was a good thing to see son, there is mention of the Evans's some forty years ago Rainbow, but the allusions to at the time of the cattle show. it in the eighteenth - century The farmers took possession of essayists are extremely rare, and the place; and to see their its career as a modern diningjolly round red faces on the house dates from 1820. broad grin over some decidedly We have found Mr Callow's broad ballad, or nudging one

a useful book of reference; but, another when anything par- as might be expected, there are ticularly racy caught their some omissions in it, and it is ears, was to the student of rather a handbook like Peter mankind a treat. But all this Cunningham's than any account kind of thing is quite over

of tavern life. But it is very now. The Cider Cellars have well done, and should hencelong ago emptied their last forth be the standard work barrel, and Evans's, instead of upon the subject. We fear, dying game-qualis erat—like however, that the rising generits contemporary, degenerated ation, nurtured in clubs, and into something little better than “wallowing, " Thackeray a music-hall. In spite of the says, in easy-chairs, will not undesirable quality of the songs retain much interest in the old with which Mr Sharp, or Mr convivial world of which we Ross, or Mr Moody were re- have here given a few glimpses. quested to oblige the company, All the more reason why this we have a kindly feeling for should be done while there are these old taverns still, where, still some survivors who can as Lady Agnes Foker said, you appreciate them. With the old met “all the wits and authors, tavern life have disappeared people who are not in society, its riotous Bohemianism and you know, but whom it is a reckless orgies : “ the gipsy and great privilege and pleasure the Mohawk” have vanished for Harry to meet.” For Lady from the literary profession; Agnes was of the same period the punch-bowl and the diceas Major Pendennis, in whose box are seldom either seen or time, as he expressed himself, heard in a house of public en“poetry and genius and all that tertainment; but with these kind of thing were devilish evils have disappeared also a disreputable.” So they took good deal of hearty good-felrefuge at the Cave of Harmony. lowship, of frank sociability and

. In our notice of Fleet Street fearless originality, on whose taverns we

have as yet said grave, while we welcome the nothing of the Rainbow. This salutary change, “one human was originally one of the old tear may drop and be forgiven." coffee-houses, and is mentioned

HARE COURT.

THE WAR OPERATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA.-II.

BY A MILITARY CONTRIBUTOR.

THE “theatre of the war” tered koppjes : it has been comhas, from the commencement pared with the Soudan, the chief of the campaign, been situate difference being that the one is in northern Natal; but towards stony sand, the other stony the end of November it had veldt. Farms are

scattered extended to Cape Colony, where widely, each house substantially it touches the boundary of the built, surrounded by gum-trees. Free State on the west, with From the southern boundary the entire breadth of that of the Free State, as far north country, about 300 miles in as Pretoria, the veldt is well extent, separating it from adapted for the movements of a Natal.

British force provided with It had been apparent from cavalry and field artillery: the the first that the strategy of transport, which would be the campaign would move in mules and oxen drawing light this direction. Cape Town was waggons, could move parallel the first port of call for the to the column almost everytransports; there was direct where, and subsistence for the railway communication between cattle is invariably to be found it and Kimberley or Pretoria, by the wayside. It is, on the which, although it was certain other hand, unsuited to Boer to be interrupted the farther it tactics, which depend largely on was from Cape Town, would the existence of boulders. An still be available from thence to advance through the Free State within almost striking distance would be self-supporting to a of the Transvaal-say, for 500 large extent: the farms there miles. The mountains which

are larger and better stocked enclose the Free State on the than are those in the northeast are left behind. The only west of Cape Colony or in obstacle then between Cape the Transvaal. Again, from Colony and the Free State a strategic point, an advance is the Orange river, a mighty from the west,

the west, threatening flood at times, now low, flowing Bloemfontein, would be althrough several snag-encum- most certain to detach a large bered channels, between great number of Boers round Ladybanks of sand and mud, spanned smith; for with Bloemfontein by substantial bridges which, if in our hands we should be they were found to have been on the direct line to Pretoria, destroyed, could soon be ren- 250 miles distant, and in a posidered passable for troops. tion to cut the communications

The country through which with their base, the country the Orange river flows is flat, before us being level and open, stony veldt, with numerous scat- with no obstacle except the

move

a

it.

some

Vaal river, which is crossed by At an early hour on the many “drifts."

23rd inst. the division moved The intention to

off towards the Boer position, column by this western route and after a five-mile nightwas carefully concealed from march, the Guards Brigade, the public, until it leaked out which was leading, came upon that a relief column had ar- They found the Boers on a rived at Orange River Station line of koppjes, a few miles on the 8th November, and east of Belmont Station, and that Gough had found the attacked at once: the Scots Boers in force, with

and Grenadier Guards had guns, in a strong position seven advanced to within fifty yards miles east of Belmont; and when the Boers opened a scathhaving gained a knowledge of ing rifle-fire which staggered their strength and dispositions, them, forcing them to take had retired to Orange River cover, and much independent Station with the loss of Colonel fire took place till day broke, Keith-Falconer, who was shot and our artillery were able to while making a sketch, three come into action. The Guards officers and three privates killed then climbed the koppje, still or wounded. Orange River under a heavy fire which the Station commands many points Boers had reserved, and at 4.10 of strategical importance besides A.M. the position was captured. the bridge over the Orange river, Immediately in rear of it was and had been gradually formed another line of koppjes, which into a military camp which may was defended in the same debe considered the key of the termined manner. Then the western border.

Coldstream Guards, with the On the 12th November Gen- 1st Northumberland and 2nd eral Methuen arrived, and on Northampton regiments in supthe 21st inst. moved out port, under a fierce cross-fire, with a light flying column, rushed up this second ridge, to effect the relief of Kim- and with the assistance of the berley, seventy-five miles north. artillery, urged forward by loud No tinned rations were carried, cheers, carried it, the Boers flyfresh meat being relied upon ing in confusion, when a third during the march, which usu- ridge in rear again gave them ally began at 3 A.M., break- the opportunity for final fast on cocoa, pitch camp near stand ; a rush was made and the best water, and dine when the position carried—the Naval the transport arrived. It was Brigade coming into action for this column that was destined the first time with four guns. to exercise a considerable in- The 9th Lancers were sent in fluence on coming events. pursuit, but were not able to

The night of 21st they slept account for many of the fugiat Witteputs, eight miles from tives, owing to the rocky nature Orange river, and continued of the ground to which the Boers the next morning in the direc- clung with tenacity. Their tion of Belmont.

laager, with stores, horses, and

a