Rambles in Dickens' Land Part 2

Lirriper's wedding, some forty years previous to the narration of her business experience; and where she still retained "a sitting in a very pleasant pew, with genteel company, and her own ha.s.sock, being partial to evening service, not too crowded."

Retracing our steps, three minutes, to the Church of St. Mary-le-Strand, again leaving the Strand by _Newcastle_ and _Houghton Streets_, and turning left and right (leaving Clare Market on the left), we shortly arrive at _Portsmouth Street_, _Lincoln's Inn Fields_. At No. 14 will be found (for a short time only) a small old-fas.h.i.+oned house, on the front of which is painted an inscription, "The Old Curiosity Shop, _Immortalised by Charles d.i.c.kens_," now occupied by Mr. H. Poole, dealer in wastepaper. This is said to be the house a.s.signed by the novelist for the residence of Little Nell and her grandfather, with whose pathetic history we are all familiar-

"One of those receptacles for old and curious things, which seem to crouch in odd corners of this town, and to hide their musty treasures from the public eye in jealousy and distrust."

It cannot, however, be regarded as absolutely certain that this particular house was the author's intended "local habitation" for one of the best-known and loved of his creations. The tale itself concludes with a reference to _Kit's_ uncertainty as to the whereabouts of the place:-

"The old house had long ago been pulled down, and a fine broad road was in its place. At first he would draw with his stick a square upon the ground to show them where it used to stand. But he soon became uncertain of the spot, and could only say it was thereabouts, he thought, and that these alterations were confusing."

[A lady, personally acquainted with the great novelist, has informed the author that she was once taken by Mr. d.i.c.kens to No. 10 Green Street (approaching Leicester Square from the east)-at the corner of Green and Castle Streets, behind the National Gallery-the business of curiosity-dealing being then and there carried on. Mr. d.i.c.kens himself localised this house as the home of little Nell, pointing out an inner room-divided from the shop by a gla.s.s part.i.tion-as her bedroom. The premises are now rebuilt.]

[Picture: The Old Curiosity Shop]

At a short distance from this locality, and at an opposite angle of the street, there existed (until 1898) one of the old-fas.h.i.+oned taverns of the metropolis. The house was noteworthy, with its overhanging front resting on rough wooden pillars, and was named _Old George IVth_.

It is now replaced by a newly-built house of the same name, in modern style of plate gla.s.s, mahogany, and glitter.

It is highly probable that the old tavern represented the location and character of "The Magpie and Stump," the rendezvous of _Mr. Lowten_ (Perker's clerk) and other choice spirits in the days of Pickwick. It is described in the Pickwickian history as being near Clare Market, at the back of New Inn, and to this position the "Old George IVth" will correspond. Joe Miller, of jocular celebrity, was, aforetime, a frequenter of this establishment, when his quips "were wont to set the table in a roar." His seat was still shown in the bar of the old house.

d.i.c.kens and Thackeray were also well remembered as visitors to this ancient hostelry. There is now a "Magpie and Stump" in Fetter Lane, at some distance hence; but it is evident that d.i.c.kens transferred the name to a tavern in this neighbourhood. It will be remembered that here Mr.

Pickwick enjoyed an hour's entertainment, listening to the legends of "those curious old nooks," the Inns of London, as related by Jack Bamber-see "Pickwick," chapter 21-also containing a description of the advertis.e.m.e.nts of the tavern, as then displayed therein.

"In the lower windows, which were decorated with curtains of a saffron hue, dangled two or three printed cards, bearing reference to Devons.h.i.+re cyder and Dantzic spruce, while a large black board, announcing in white letters to an enlightened public, that there were 500,000 barrels of double stout in the cellars of the establishment, left the mind in a state of not unpleasing doubt and uncertainty as to the precise direction in the bowels of the earth, in which this mighty cavern might be supposed to extend."

_d.i.c.k Swiveller_ would doubtless occasionally patronise this establishment. He lodged hereabouts "in the neighbourhood of Drury Lane;" but it is difficult to indicate any particular house which d.i.c.kens may have selected for his accommodation.

Stretching eastward from this point is _Portugal Street_, famed in the same book as containing the Old Public House patronised by Mr. Tony Weller and his _confreres_ of the coach-driving persuasion. This house-opposite the Insolvent Debtors' Court-existed until a few years since, by name, "The Horse and Groom." It and many more besides, have now given place to a range of new offices and buildings in Elizabethan style, on the south side of the street (forming the north boundary of New Court), and the Insolvent Court has been recently appropriated to the uses of the Bankruptcy Court. It will be remembered that it was here _Mr. Samuel Weller_ got into difficulties, and was hence consigned to the Fleet Prison at the instance of his father; the professional services of the suave _Mr. Solomon Pell_ being retained on that occasion. Here also a select committee of friends a.s.sembled to a.s.sist at an oyster lunch and the proving of Mrs. Weller's will, when Mr. Pell again conducted the business to the satisfaction of all concerned.-See "Pickwick," chapters 43 and 55.

Returning through Portsmouth Street, we come into _Lincoln's Inn Fields_; and, keeping on its western side-pa.s.sing Sardinia Street, with its old archway, on the left-we may note Mr. John Forster's House, No. 58. At this house resided the friend and biographer of d.i.c.kens, and here our author was, of course, a frequent visitor. On December the 2nd, 1844, Charles d.i.c.kens here first read his new Christmas book, "The Chimes," to a select and critical audience, including Messrs. Forster, Maclise, Douglas Jerrold, Carlyle, Laman Blanchard, Fox, Stanfield, Harness, and Dyce. The house is itself described in the pages of "Bleak House"

(chapter 10) as the

RESIDENCE OF MR. TULKINGHORN.

"In a large house, formerly a house of state, lives Mr. Tulkinghorn.

It is let off in sets of chambers now; and in those shrunken fragments of its greatness, lawyers lie, like maggots in nuts. But its roomy staircases, pa.s.sages, and antechambers still remain; and even its painted ceiling, where Allegory in Roman helmet and celestial linen sprawls among bal.u.s.trades and pillars, flowers, clouds, and big-legged boys, and makes the head ache, as would seem to be Allegory's object always, more or less."

As in the time spoken of, the house is still in legal possession, being let out as solicitors' offices; but the old Allegory has disappeared beneath modern whitewash. Within two minutes' distance northward, the weary rambler may reach the central thoroughfare of HOLBORN, where (turning to the left), close at hand, will be found the _Holborn Restaurant_, at which Sam Weller's advice on the subject of a "little dinner" (or luncheon) may be worth practical consideration:-

"Pair of fowls and a weal cutlet; French beans, 'taturs, tart, and tidiness."

Certain it is that everything at this establishment will be found "werry clean and comfortable," on reasonable terms.

RAMBLE II _Lincoln's Inn to the Mansion House_

Lincoln's Inn Hall; "Jarndyce and Jarndyce"-Old Square; Offices of Kenge and Carboy; Chambers of Sergeant Snubbin-Bishop's Court; Miss Flite's Lodging at Krook's Rag and Bottle Warehouse; Nemo; Tony Weevle-The Old s.h.i.+p Tavern; "The Sol's Arms"-Coavinses' Castle-Mr. Snagsby's Residence, Took's Court, Cursitor Street-Bell Yard; Lodgings of Neckett and Gridley-Tellson's Bank, Fleet Street-The Temple; Fountain Court (Ruth Pinch and John Westlock); Garden Court (Pip's Chambers); Pump Court (Chambers of the elder Martin Chuzzlewit); Paper Buildings (Sir John Chester and Mr. Stryver, K.C.)-Offices of Messrs. Lightwood and Wrayburn-Bradley Headstone's Look-out-Clifford's Inn; John Rokesmith and Mr. Boffin-St. Dunstan's Pump and Maypole Hugh-St. Dunstan's Church; "The Chimes"-Bradbury and Evans, Bouverie Street-Office of the _Daily News_-Hanging Sword Alley; Mr. Cruncher's Rooms,"Ye old Ches.h.i.+re Cheese"-Farringdon, formerly Fleet, Market-Fleet Prison; Mr. Pickwick and Sam Weller's Imprisonment-Belle Sauvage Yard-London Coffee House; Arthur Clennam's arrival-St. Paul's Churchyard-Dean's Court-Doctors' Commons; Messrs. Spenlow and Jorkins-"Bell Tavern"-Wood Street; Coach Office at which Pip first arrived-The London Stereoscopic Company; "Grip," the Raven-Bow Church-The Guildhall; Bardell _v._ Pickwick-Grocers' Hall Court-The Mansion House; References in "Barnaby Rudge," "Christmas Carol," and "Martin Chuzzlewit"-"Dombey and Son."

The Rambler now crosses Lincoln's Inn Fields, and, on its eastern side, enters the precincts of _Lincoln's Inn_, through an arched gateway, from Serle Street. Pa.s.sing the imposing building of the Dining-Hall and Library on the left, with New Square on the right, we shortly arrive at old Lincoln's Inn Hall, THE LORD HIGH CHANCELLOR'S COURT, with its central turret and lantern, bearing the initials of the reigning Treasurer, 1818, where Chancery suits were tried thirty years since.

Here that _cause celebre_, JARNDYCE and JARNDYCE, dragged "its slow length along" through the weary years, involving

"Bills, cross-bills, answers, rejoinders, injunctions, affidavits, issues, references to masters, masters' reports-mountains of costly nonsense."

Here, on a seat at the side of the hall, stood little _Miss Flite_, in her squeezed bonnet, carrying "her doc.u.ments," and

"Always expecting some incomprehensible judgment in her favour."-See "Bleak House," chapter 1.

The business of Chancery procedure is now transferred to the New Law Courts. Hard by, on the north, pa.s.sing through the cloisters of the Chapel of Lincoln's Inn, we come into the enclosure of Old Square, LINCOLN'S INN, where the _Offices of Messrs. Kenge and Carboy_ were situated. Esther Summerson says:-

"We pa.s.sed into sudden quietude, under an old gateway, and drove on through a silent square, until we came to an odd nook in a corner, where there was an entrance up a steep broad flight of stairs, like an entrance to a church."

The houses in this square have been all rebuilt; but Kenge and Co.'s offices used to flourish in the north-west corner, where still the rising of the ground necessitates an exterior flight of steps. The chambers of _Sergeant Snubbin_, counsel for the defence in "Bardell _v._ Pickwick,"

were also located in this square, probably on the opposite side.

Returning to Lincoln's Inn, we may follow Esther Summerson's directions, and visit the apartments of _Miss Flite_-

"Slipping us out of a little side gate, the old lady stopped most unexpectedly in a narrow back street, part of some courts and lanes immediately outside the wall of the inn, and said, 'This is my lodging. Pray walk up!'"

Thus, pa.s.sing at the back of the Inn, and taking the next turning on the left, we arrive at Bishop's Court, near at hand, a narrow, dark, and old pa.s.sage leading to Chancery Lane. On the left hand, nearest the Inn, was _Krook's Rag and Bottle Warehouse_, probably No. 3. But during recent years, all the old houses of the court have been subst.i.tuted by modern buildings, offices, and shops; so that the location only remains of the "Lord Chancellor," and his place of business, yclept by the neighbours the "Court of Chancery." The old shop, at one time, possessed the private door and stairway leading to _Miss Flite's lodging_.

"She lived at the top of the house, in a pretty large room, from which she had a glimpse of the roof of Lincoln's Inn Hall."

Here, too, Captain Hawdon, otherwise _Nemo_, the law-writer, lived and died in a bare room on the second floor. A notice may have been observed in the old shop window, "Engrossing and Copying." It will be remembered that this room was afterwards occupied by _Mr. Tony Weevle_, during whose tenancy it was decorated with a choice collection of magnificent portraits, being-

"Copper-plate impressions from that truly national work, the Divinities of Albion, or Galaxy Gallery of British Beauty; representing ladies of t.i.tle and fas.h.i.+on, in every variety of smirk, that art, combined with capital, is capable of producing."

Returning to the top of the court, and pa.s.sing a short distance along Star Yard, we reach, at the corner of _Chichester Rents_, a modern warehouse (No. 7), recently erected on the site of "The Old s.h.i.+p Tavern,"

now _non est_, named in the pages of "Bleak House" _The Sol's Arms_, it being the house at which _the Inquest was held_, following the death of _Nemo_, as described in chapter 11; on which occasion the proffered evidence of Poor Jo was virtuously rejected by the presiding coroner.

"Can't exactly say; won't do, you know. We can't take that in a Court of Justice, gentlemen. It's terrible depravity. Put the boy aside."

The old tavern has given place to the exigencies of modern commerce (1897). The ghost of _Little Swills_ may still linger in the neighbourhood, but the musical evenings of the past are silent, being now superseded by the prosaics of ordinary business.

The real SOL'S ARMS still exists, _No._ 65 _Hampstead Road_, _N.W._, at the corner of Charles Street, once known as Sol's Row. Its name was derived from the "Sol's Society," whose meetings, held therein, were of a Masonic character. It has been suggested that d.i.c.kens transferred the style and name of this house to the neighbourhood of Chancery Lane, as above.

Coming now into Chancery Lane, we may observe, nearly opposite the old gateway of Lincoln's Inn, Cursitor Street, a thoroughfare leading eastward from the Lane. It will be noticed that the houses in this street are comparatively of recent erection, and we may now look in vain for COAVINSES' CASTLE, which has been swept away by the besom of modern destruction and improvement. This old sponging-house flourished (in the days of Harold Skimpole) on the left of the street, on the site now occupied by _Lincoln's Inn Chambers_, No. 1.

At a short distance in Cursitor Street (No. 9) we come to a turning on the left to _Took's Court_, referred to in "Bleak House" as _Cook's Court_, in which was Mr. Snagsby's Residence AND LAW STATIONER'S SHOP.

The court is not a long one, and consists mainly of offices connected with the legal profession. The location of Mr. Snagsby's shop was at the central corner on the left, the site being now occupied by modern offices and stores. "The little drawing-room upstairs" is described as commanding

"A view of Cook's Court at one end (not to mention a squint into Cursitor Street) and of Coavins's, the Sheriff's Officer's, backyard on the other."

The memorable, but now non-existent room, as prepared for the reception of the _Rev. Mr. Chadband_ (Chaplain-in-Ordinary to Mrs. Snagsby), who was "endowed with the gift of holding forth for four hours at a stretch."

On that occasion, it will be remembered that Poor Jo-brought to Cook's Court by a police constable-was eloquently addressed by the reverend gentleman, but was not greatly edified by his admonitions.

"At this threatening stage of the discourse, Jo, who seems to have been gradually going out of his mind, smears his right arm over his face, and gives a terrible yawn. Mrs. Snagsby indignantly expresses her belief that he is a limb of the arch-fiend."

Returning by Chancery Lane, on the left hand, we may note _Bream's Buildings_, as being the northern boundary of the former site of Symond's Inn, which hence extended onward to No. 22.