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"I observe that though musick is here in such great perfection, so constantly and universally encouraged, few of the common people have any ear, or sing with any spirit."

These extracts may show the spirit of the man at that time, and truly he had not been idle. The sketches of ruins in my possession are most voluminous, and are executed in a very peculiar though free style; a few are in red chalk, but by far the majority in pen and ink, slightly tinted with Indian ink or umber. This method, though laborious and engraving-like, of course has a nice sharpness about the details unattainable by the pencil. The views of Tivoli above-mentioned are among them, and altogether they form an interesting collection to the lover of classical spots. I am afraid his collections of casts, &c., are all dispersed, the only relics in my possession are two books of the 16th century (one having very curious engravings of the remains of ancient Rome at that time, and each possessing his autograph), together with some original studies of Domenichino, " A. Z." Polidoro, Tadeus Sucano, Carlo Maratte, and Frano Albani, all mounted. Dyer's portrait was taken in Italy, but I reserve mention of it till afterwards.

Meantime his muse had not slept during his sketching furor. The "Ruins of Rome" was most probably now first planned, and a moral vision, "Wrote at Ocriculum, in Italy, 1725, altered 1730," in blank verse, was written. This is too long for insertion here; the following is in the spirit of the last extract given above.

"Wrote at St. Peter's, &c.

"O gracious Lord, forgive us; we are all,
All of us, sinners vile: but these, who build
Greatness upon their brethren's miseries :
Who scorn to make thy meek and patient life
The pattern of their doings; yet put on
A day-dress of religion; hypocrites!
Who faiths absurd exact with fiery zeal;
And strive to thrall the tongue to their decrees,
Not win the spirit to the bond of love.
God of our Fathers, keep us from the ways
Of these foul hirelings : less Thy glory pure
Seek they to magnify, than that of men:
For basest ends the simple they perplex,

And with the guise of learning check the hope

in

That rises in their hearts from virtuous deeds."

A poem to Clio was also written from Rome, but she, fictitious or real, must stand over for consideration till our next number.

(To be continued.)

THE CLUBS OF LONDON,

It is not a little singular that Englishmen, who are so generally reproached by other nations for their want of sociality, should yet have originated Clubs, the very object of which is the promotion of good fellowship. Such, however, seems to be the case, the two earliest we have on record being one which celebrated its symposia at the Mermaid Tavern in Friday Street, and Ben Jonson's Club, which was held at the old Devil Tavern, between Temple Gates and Temple Bar. The club at the Mermaid was according to all accounts the first established, and owed its origin to Sir Walter Raleigh, who had here instituted a meeting of men of wit and genius, previously to his engagement with the unfortunate Cobham. This society comprised all that the age held most distinguished for learning and talent; numbering amongst its members Shakspeare, Ben Jonson, Beaumont and Fletcher, Selden, Sir Walter Raleigh, Donne, Cotton, Carew, Martin, and many others, who were inferior to none in reputation except those master spirits, and well worthy to sit at the same table, although at a lower seat. There it was that the "wit-combats" took place between Shakspeare and Ben Jonson, that have so often excited the regretful curiosity of antiquarians, and to which, probably, Beaumont alludes with so much affection, in his letter to the old poet, written from the country:

"What things have we seen

Done at the Mermaid! heard words that have been

So nimble and so full of subtle flame,

As if that every one from whom they came
Had meant to put his whole wit in a jest."

It is greatly to be regretted, that not a fragment of these meetings has come down to us; a few scattered allusions amongst the old dramatists, or their panegyrists, alone attest that such things did exist; but the wit, and the lively fancies, the gay bubbles, as it were, of the most fervid imaginations, brightened by wine and social emulation, all these have passed away with the moment that gave rise to them. What would we now give to recall even the slightest portion of those days, and thus enjoy even a single hour in the society of such men as Shakspeare and his brother dramatists, their conversation varied and tempered by the world-knowledge of Raleigh, and the profound learning of Selden! One man, and one only could, by the magic of his pen, have called up the images of such a time; but the Great Unknown-the name must never leave him-sleeps the last sleep in Dryburgh Abbey, and who is there that can hope to succeed him? Nay, we almost regret the having thrown out such a hint, lest some of our popular writers-Heaven save the mark!-should catch at the idea, and having dressed up a set of fantoccini puppets, should endeavour to impose them upon the world as the legitimate representatives of the Mermaid Tavern.

Ben Jonson's Club was held in a room of the old Devil Tavern, which, probably from this circumstance acquired the distinguishing name of the Apollo." A print of this room, published in 1774, appears to have been seen by Gifford, who describes it as a handsome room, large and lofty,

VOL IV. NO. XVII.

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X

and furnished with a gallery for music." Over the door of it was placed a bust of the poet, underneath which were inscribed, in golden letters upon a black ground, his own verses of welcome to the comer :

"Welcome all who lead or follow,
To the Oracle of Apollo;
Here he speaks out of his pottle,
Or the tripos, his tower bottle;
All his answers are divine,
Truth itself doth flow in wine,

Hang up all the poor hop-drinkers,
Cries old Sim, the prince of skinkers,
He the half of life abuses,

That sits watering with the Muses.
Those dull girls no good can mean us,
Wine it is the milk of Venus,

And the poet's horse accounted;
Ply it, and you all are mounted.

'Tis the true Phebeian liquor

Cheers the brain, makes wit the quicker,
Pays all debts, cures all diseases,
And at once three senses pleases.
Welcome all who lead or follow,
To the Oracle of Apollo."

O RARE BEN JONSON!

The "Old Sim," mentioned in the above lines, was Simon Wadloe, who at that time kept the Devil Tavern. So at least Whalley informs us, and his account is quoted by Gifford without any expression of doubt as to the assertion.

Within the room were hung up the laws of the Club, the celebrated Leges Convivales, drawn up by Ben Johnson in the purest and most elegant Latin. These we now give, with the old translation of them which, however, is neither very faithful, nor very remarkable for poetry.

LEGES CONVIVALES.

Quod felix faustumque convivis in Apolline sit.

1. Nemo Asymbolus, Nisi Umbra, Huc Venito.

2. Idiota, Insulsus, Tristis, Turpis, Abesto.

3. Eruditi, Urbani, Hilares, Honesti, Adsciscuntor.

4. Nec Lectæ Fœminæ Repudiantor.

5. In Apparatu Quod Convivis Corsuget Nares Nil Esto.

6. Epulæ Delectu Potius Quam Sumptu Parantor.

7. Obsonator Et Coquus Convivarum Gulæ Periti Sunto.

8. De Discubitu Non Contenditor.

9. Ministri A Dapibus, Oculati Et Muti,

A Poculis, Auriti Et Celeres Sunto.

10. Vina Puris Fontibus Ministrentor, Aut Vapulet Hospes.
11. Moderatis Poculis Provocare Sodales Fas Esto.

12. At Fabulis Magis Quam Vino Velitatio Fiat.

13. Convivæ Nec Muti Nec Loquaces Sunto.

14. De Seriis Ac Sacris Poti Et Saturi Ne Disserunto.

15. Fidicen, Nisi Accersitus, Non Venito.

16. Admisso Risu, Tripudiis, Choreis, Cantu, Salibus,
Omni Gratiarum Festivitate Sacra Celebrantor.

17. Joci Sine Felle Sunto.

18. Insipida Poemata Nulla Recitantor.

19. Versus Scribere Nullus Cogito.

20. Argumentationis Totius Strepitus Abesto.

21. Amatoriis Querelis Ac Suspiriis Liber Angulus Esto.
22. Lapitharum More Scyphis Pugnare, Vitrea Collidere,

Fenestras Excutere, Supellectilem Dilacerare, Nefas Esto.
23. Qui Foras Vel Dicta, Vel Facta Eliminat, Eliminator
24. Neminem Reum Pocula Faciunto.

FOCUS PERENNIS ESTO.

RULES FOR THE TAVERN ACADEMY,

OR

LAWS FOR THE BEAUX ESPRITS.

From the Latin of Ben Jonson, engraven in Marble over the Chimney, in the Apollo of the Old Devil Tavern, at Temple Bar, that being his Club-room Non verbum reddere verbo.

I.

1. As the fund of our pleasure let each pay his shot,

Except some chance friend whom a member brings in.
2. Far hence be the sad, the lewd fop, and the sot ;
For such have the plagues of good company been.

II.

3. Let the learned and witty, the jovial and gay.
The generous and honest, compose our free state,
And the more to exalt our delight while we stay,
Let none be debarr'd from his choice female mate.

4.

6.

III.

5. Let no scent offensive the chamber infest.
Let fancy, not cost, prepare all our dishes.
7. Let the caterer mind the taste of each guest,

And the cook, in his dressing, comply with their wishes.

IV.

8. Let's have no disturbance about taking places,

To shew your nice breeding, or out of vain pride.

9. Let the drawers be ready with wine and fresh glasses,

Let the waiters have eyes, though their tongues must be tied.

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10. Let our wines without mixture or stum be all fine,
Or call up the master and break his dull noddle,

11. Let no sober bigot here think it a sin,

13.

To push on the chirping and moderate bottle.

VI.

12. Let the contests be rather of books than of wine.
Let the company be neither noisy nor mute.
14. Let none of things serious, much less of divine,
When belly and head's full, profanely dispute.

VII.

15. Let no saucy fiddler presume to intrude,

Unless he is sent for to vary our bliss.

16. With mirth, wit, and dancing, and singing conclude.
To regale every sense with delight in excess.

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20. Let argument bear no unmusical sound,

Nor jars interpose sacred friendship to grieve.

21. For generous lovers let a corner be found,
Where they in soft sighs may their passions relieve.

Χ.

22. Like the old Lapithites with the goblets to fight,
Our own 'mongst offences unpardoned will rank,
Or breaking of windows, or glasses for spite,
And spoiling the goods for a rake-helly prank.

XI.

23. Whoever shall publish what's said, or what's done,
Be be banish'd for ever our assembly divine.
24. Let the freedom we take be perverted by none,

To make any guilty by drinking good wine."

From these "Leges Convivales," we may infer, with sufficient accuracy, the nature of clubs in their origin; they were associations for the purposes of good fellowship, no doubt, but it was the fellowship of men of learning and genius, who met for the interchange of ideas over the social glass. The dull man and the ignoramus were to be excluded; the learned and the cheerful were to be invited to join the club; drunkenness was forbidden, yet the members were encouraged to challenge each other to the glass in moderation; the society, of females was permitted, while mirth, singing, and pleasant conversation were enjoined: a snug corner was set apart for lovers to sigh in, and think upon their absent mistresses, no bad proof by the bye of the gentle temper of him, whom modern ignorance has designated as rough and surly; the discussion of sacred and serious things were also put under ban, the serious things including, it may be presumed, politics; there was to be no quarrelling with each other, no breaking of glasses or windows by way of frolic, nor was any one to plague the company by reciting bad verses, or compelling others to extemporise; finally, he who blabbed what was said or done was to be expelled. In many of these matters, as we shall see hereafter, the clubs of our own day have changed, and certainly not for the better.

We have no means of tracing out the time when these celebrated societies actually became defunct, nor have we any notice of similar meetings the time of Charles II. The probability is, that the great Revolution, which closed theatres, put down fairs, and in fact forbade everything in the shape of amusement as a sin against Heaven, dispersed also the clubs, the very essence of which was elegant enjoyment, and therefore in direct opposition to the gloomy spirit that had come over the age. But then in due time followed the Restoration, and the tide, which had ebbed so low, leaving as it were, a dry and barren shore, now flowed back again with a violence that swept every thing before it, not excepting decency and morals. The hatred of the recent changes, and the rage for bringing back the ancient order of things, admitted of no exception, even where the thing to be destroyed was positively good. The cavaliers, on finding themselves once again in their old quarters, were much in the condition of a man who should return after a lapse of years to the family mansion, from which he had been ejected, and who would naturally enough fancy every change that had been made in his absence an innovation, to be got rid of as speedily as possible. Hence it was to be expected that, among other revivals, so joyous an institution as that of Clubs would not be forgotten; and, accordingly, the traces of them, which were utterly lost to us in the time of the Commonwealth, now appear once again. The first, of which any mention is made, is the so-called Club of the Kings, and the name gives unmistakeable evidence of the times which orginated it. This association was formed a little after the return of Charles, and did not restrict admission to any quality or

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