Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-11-17

in time to know John Simpson, for |
am quite sure that he was a "charac
ter" No man who did not possess
plenty of character. and no sense OF
humor, could have penned the follow
ing noble advertisement, which ap-
peared in the newspapers of Oct. II,
1S4S:
John Simpsons Grand Restaura-
tum, adjoining the Divan opposite Exc
ter Hall, Strand. To those who like
good living, choice wines, and fine
cigars, blended with economy, John
Simpson, whose exertions to merit the
appreciation of his friends and -he
public are so we'll known and appreci-
ated, begs to announce that he will
open the above named premises this
day "wednesday, Oct. ~, with a view
to entertain his customers in a manner
not to be surpassed in London, upon
terms of unequalled moderation. The
establishment consists of a large sa-
loon, Coffee-room communicating with
the Divan, and private rooms for par
ties, the whole decorated and embel
lished in superb manner. The culin-
airy arrangements are formed under
the express suggestions and plans Of
M. Soyer of the Reform Club. John
Simpson begs to inform his patrons
that the astronomical department
will comprise every delicacy of the
season, and the qualities of the wines
and spirits will be indispensable"
John Simpson, who most certainly
did continue to exert himself to merit
the appreciation of his friends and the
public by blending economy with his
cigars and wine-a sentence which
from a less known man might have
been received with suspicion-made
Simpsons tavern renowned for good,
sound British fare and the best of
wines and spirits and malt liquor. but
he had vanished from the scenes be
fore | was old enough to go a-iinina
In any restauratum, and the place was
Simpsons, Limited, when in the six
ties |, as very small boy just going
to Harrow, was taken there for a cut
from the joint before going to see a
pantomime at "the Lane"
Nothing struck me so much on my
first introduction to Simpsons as the
dignity of the British waiter. other
incidents with regard to that first
visit to the shrine of roast lamb have
passed from my memory, but can re-
call that we were received by a white
haired parsonage, who, with the air of
a court official and with a wave of the
hand that was dignity itself. directed
us to another gentleman rather fatte4'
and darker, who permitted us to sit at
the table which he superintendent, and
placed the bill of fare before us as
though it were treaty to be signed.
| expressed my astonishment at the
magnificence of the manner of the
walters as soon as the plump gentle
man had withdrawn, and nay father in
formed me that they were all members
of the House of Lords earning an hon
est living out of business hours.
This | did not believe, but somehow
Lord Dalmerston and the white-haired
parsonage became confused in my
remembrance of the place. though l
am quite sure that Pam was never so
magnificently hammered as that head
waiter at Simpsons. I am told that
this grandee among serving men was
Dad Ellis" who has gone to that DOT
ton of the Elysian fields reserved for
good head walters, and who gave over
his high office to William, of whom |
shall write anon. One other incident
| recall, and that was that my father
gave two pence to the white-coated
carver. and | wondered how he dared
to offer coppers to so majestic a being,
The man in the white coat, however
pocketed the affront without the least
sign of resentment.
The white-haired head waiter who
had so impressed me as boy no long.
er ruled the roast when as a man !
came to know the restauratum well
and his place had been taken by Will.
lam, veteran who well upheld the
traditions of the tavern for dignity and
courtesy. Simpsons developed char
acter in the walters, and in the later
days of its existence there were two
of the gentlemen of the napkin who
were notable in their own station. One
was William, above mentioned. whose
sphere was the room on the ground
floor. man who had handed plates To
all the celebrities of the day, and his
conversation was really interesting,
Charles Flowerdew was the other man
of note who stood and waited. and his
post was in the large, welllighted
ladies' dining room on the first floor. a
room which in the earliest DAYS was
the Chess Divan. He had the grand
manner and snuff box, and it was his
boast that many gentlemen deserted
the room on the ground floor and as,
cended the stairs to take a pinch o.
snuff and TO enjoy his "reminiscences
OF the great men of the day.
So much for the personnel of Simp-
sons; now>for its clientele. Poor
William Terriss, the actor. was a
most constant patron, and on the day
on which he was so foully murdered
he dined at the tavern, and. leaving
1t to go to the theater, shook hands