Volume Ii Part 25 (2/2)
The superb decoration and effective lighting, render this a truly festive Hall, with abundant s.p.a.ce to set off the banquet displays. The first Public Dinner was given here on June 2, 1858, when Mr. Robert Stephenson, the eminent engineer, presided, and a silver salver and claret-jug, with a sum of money--altogether in value 2678_l._--were presented to Mr. F. Pet.i.t Smith, in recognition of his bringing into general use the System of Screw Propulsion; the testimonial being purchased by 138 subscribers, chiefly eminent naval officers, s.h.i.+p-builders, s.h.i.+p-owners, and men of science.
In the following month, (20th of July,) a banquet was given here to Mr. Charles Kean, F.S.A., in testimony of his having exalted the English theatre--of his public merits and private virtues. The Duke of Newcastle presided: there was a brilliant presence of guests, and nearly four hundred ladies were in the galleries. Subsequently, in the Hall was presented to Mr. Kean the magnificent service of plate, purchased by public subscription.
The success of these intellectual banquets proved a most auspicious inauguration of St. James's Hall for--
”The feast of reason and the flow of soul.”
THEATRICAL TAVERNS.
Among these establishments, the Eagle, in the City-road, deserves mention. It occupies the site of the Shepherd and Shepherdess, a tavern and tea-garden of some seventy-five years since. To the Eagle is annexed a large theatre.
Sadler's Wells was, at one period, a tavern theatre, where the audience took their wine while they sat and witnessed the performances.
APPENDIX.
BEEFSTEAK SOCIETY.
(Vol. I. page 149.)
We find in Smith's _Book for a Rainy Day_ the following record respecting the Beefsteak Society, or, as he calls it, in an unorthodox way, Club:--
”Mr. John Nixon, of Basinghall-street, gave me the following information. Mr. Nixon, as Secretary, had possession of the original book. Lambert's Club was first held in Covent Garden theatre [other accounts state, in the Lincoln's-Inn-Fields theatre,] in the upper room called the 'Thunder and Lightning;' then in one even with the two-s.h.i.+lling gallery; next in an apartment even with the boxes; and afterwards in a lower room, where they remained until the fire. After that time, Mr. Harris insisted upon it, as the playhouse was a new building, that the Club should not be held there. They then went to the Bedford Coffee-house, next-door. Upon the ceiling of the dining-room they placed Lambert's original gridiron, which had been saved from the fire. They had a kitchen, a cook, a wine-cellar, etc., entirely independent of the Bedford Hotel.
”There was also a Society held at Robins's room, called 'The Ad Libitum,' of which Mr. Nixon had the books; but it was a totally different Society, quite unconnected with the Beefsteak Club.”
WHITE'S CLUB.
(Vol. I. page 121.)
The following humorous Address was supposed to have been written by Colonel Lyttelton, brother to Sir George Lyttelton, in 1752, on His Majesty's return from Hanover, when numberless Addresses were presented. White's was then a Chocolate-house, near St. James's Palace, and was the famous gaming-house, where most of the n.o.bility had meetings and a Society:--
”_The Gamesters' Address to the King._
”Most Righteous Sovereign,
”May it please your Majesty, we, the Lords, Knights, etc., of the Society of White's, beg leave to throw ourselves at your Majesty's feet (our honours and consciences lying under the _table_, and our fortunes being ever at stake), and congratulate your Majesty's happy return to these kingdoms which a.s.semble us together, to the great advantage of some, the ruin of others, and the unspeakable satisfaction of all, both us, our wives, and children. We beg leave to acknowledge your Majesty's great goodness and lenity, in allowing us to break those laws, which we ourselves have made, and you have sanctified and confirmed: while your Majesty alone religiously observes and regards them. And we beg leave to a.s.sure your Majesty of our most unfeigned loyalty and attachment to your sacred person; and that next to the Kings of Diamonds, Clubs, Spades, and Hearts, we love, honour, and adore you.”
To which His Majesty was pleased to return this most gracious answer:--
”My Lords and Gentlemen,
”I return you my thanks for your loyal address; but while I have such rivals in your affection, as you tell me of, I can neither think it worth preserving or regarding. I look upon you yourselves as a _pack_ of _cards_, and shall _deal_ with you accordingly.”--_Cole's MSS._ vol. x.x.xi. p. 171,--in the British Museum.
In _Richardsoniana_ we read: ”Very often the taste of running perpetually after diversions is not a mark of any pleasure taken in them, but of none taken in ourselves. This sallying abroad is only from uneasiness at home, which is in every one's self. Like a gentleman who overlooking them at White's at piquet, till three or four in the morning: on a dispute they referred to him; when he protested he knew nothing of the game; 'Zounds,' say they, 'and sit here till this time?'--'Gentlemen, I'm married!'--'Oh! Sir, we beg pardon.'”
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