Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1883-01-31
The EngiIsh Bohemian Haven.

Among the places in London interesting
to such as have penchant for the haunts
of genius is a sort of tap-roonl, located in
cellar under a corner of the Tsylstock
| Hotel, and directly Opposite the Convent
Garden Market Little known to the Am
erican tourist, aud more seldom visited by
him, there are few, We take il, among the
| reading community of London to whom its
story Is not more or less familiar.
| vans, it Is styled, and it stands In the
! cry midst of numberless scenes wei
known to most of us through the medium
of old as well as more recent British
authors.
For the past century and a half-lf
what we are told be tTue-the choicest
spirits of the English literary and theatrI-
cal world have been wont, at night, to
congregate in this refectcry; then and
there 10 abandon themselves to whatever
recreation appCrtaiDs to such an assem-
blage.
The original Evans, of course, went to
mis- last home long yesrs ago, but succeed
ing tapsters have occupied his shoes in
such uninterrupted succession that each
has taken the thread OF history where his
predecessor dropped 1t, and 50 preserved
unbroKen the story of the place.
1he present depository of its annals is q
rublcund old fellow, who possesses an ap
proprately colored nose, but who lacks
somewhat that complete rotundIty OF per-
son which one desires 10 see in the host of
very ancient tap. Though dignlfed and
little prone TO the garrulity which might
be expected from his occupation and sur
roundings. he still is quite ready TO recite
his story, whenever he feels that he has an
auditor upon whom his breath Will not be
wasted. To the worthy listener, then, he
will point out table after table, at which
have sat various celebrities who frequented
Evans's "before you was born, SIR" and
will n9rrate such incidents OF their careers
as are the special property Of that institu-
ton.
But his great boast is of the pictures
that adorn the walls, among which are tine
PORTRAITS of Sheridan, SIddons, kemble,
and fifty others who within the recolec-
ton of Evans, have reused audiences, of
even stirred the nation.
Quaint and cracked ss many of these
portraits are, they are much better than
the ordinary run of ''hkenesses, and not |
a few Of them are noticeable for genuine !
artistic merit. In our memory to see Peg
Wellington now, just as the artist depicted |
her; hthe fair creature more gIrl than |
woman; sImpliclty's self, and yet sbout |
whom there is tnat something OF other, !
we know not how to call 1t, which Charles |
Reade brings out so cleyerly In his novel |
bearing her name. Among .he collection /
is a picture of Edwin Forrest; aud we
will never forget the pompOus flourish |
with which the host pointed to 1t as a |
proof of highlands appreciation of genius,
no matter what its nationality. A portrait |
in the gallery of which he has the ward.
in his opinion, is AKIN to sculptured hon
Ors in Wes minister Abbey.
But midnight has come. The theatres
are over and the crowd is collecting. SO
10 be regular and to do as others do, let us
choose table end order chops and potatoes
ana beer.
By this time. no doubt, the room is filed
with notabilites, and it would be our
greatest pleasure 10 tell the reader Just
how they look, and all about them; but
as We ourselves haven't the slightest idea
as to who is who, we will presume each
TO be marvel in his own par
tIcular way, and turn our attention to the
rejection that We see IS coming.
And ISN'T this tootEsOme dIshi Chops
as delicate as the dsintiest palate could
wish for. and potatoes such as are to be
gotten only where potatoes are speciality.
How white the latter open, and how
beautifully they crumble as the waiter
presses them from their jackets.
Now, everything IS ready. So. with
the best of appetites and an imagination
so strengthened by tine situstien as to be
able to summon whomsoeyer 1t will, We
proceed to sup amid company selected
from list extending back for ages.
Fancy occupying table where, hum
dred and fifty years ago, Colly CIbber
may have discussed chops and potatoes
with boon companions; or from which, in
son or dear old Thackeray were used 10
contribute to the fun and hilarity of this
place.
Does any one who has read "Penden-
mis-" forget the Back Kitchen 2" What a
Jolly den II wasl How every rolIIckIog
gravitated TO it naturally Was
eyer description more graphic than the
novelist has written of that resort When
Thackeray penned 1t be unquestionably
had in his mind some place that had fig-
ured in his own experience; aud We can
hardly visit Eyans's without feellrg that
Foker, or Shandon, or miserable old
drunken Costigan must be somewhere
about, or that little Bows may still be
found operating at the piano.
ApropOs OF the turn eur thought has
Jeken, how wild fancy runs when once
fee rein Is given II Whilst we've been
sitting here 1t has peopled this old room
with beings whose talk and laughter
ceased generations since, the walls mean
while rcverberating the din and clamor Of
a LIVING throng. And furthermore, not
ouly has it rehabllitated the dead, it has
brought hither the shadOwy creatures of
and invested them also with
Well. the chops and potatoes are gone,
the tanksrd is empty, and the crowd Is de-
parting. Perforce, then, We must wend
our way.
Having lighted cigar we sally forth,
aud as we homeward stroll this thought
su5Ststs itsell, tuat rs We Hdfc sat anu
unused of nen who now live only in the
story of their achievements. so when the
Present shall have retreated 10 It's position
in the Past the coming wight will occupy
the seat We have Just vacated, and therein
will mediate upon souls as yet unknown
but striving, and whose names the Future
Will find upon the record of the great.