Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1907-05-17
SOME LONDON LITERARY TYPES.
The blacks" and "Penny-a-Liners''
That Frequent the British Museum

Another circle of friends during my
British Museum days, which ! found
entertaining. was the bloomsbury
Guards" as they call themselves. This
company of men. or "cla-ass." is APP
parently organized to stay Oh earth
permanently in Bloomsbury. Some of
the members die off now and then. but
that does not matter. The generous
museum filings wide its doors and out
come new recruits.
/ made their acquaintance at the
tavern opposite the museum. Political
economy absolutely refused to interest
me at times. and every now and then
] would drop in at THE Plough" or
THE Tavern" The exclusive saloon
Bar was the recreative room of the
Guards" in both cases. 1t took me
some time to find out why the saloon
Bar was exclusive. but eventually d
young barrister took me aside and ex-
planned.
Don't be na-asty," he cautioned. It's
merely a matter of cla-ass, you know.
Really, you must understand
The Guards" that | knew best We're
"Mengy." 90" and the "Swordsman,"
az L on w men
these three men got together a liqui-
dating friend was along. the Tavern"
or Plough as the case might be. be-
came the scene of as doughty passages
at arms at the bar as Bloomsbury has
ever known. As guards of their bev-
erages they were matchless, while, as
Pub" hunters. it is TO be questioned
whether Bloomsbury. until the Guards
came to earth, ever knew how many
public houses she had Perhaps 20"
was the most inveterate explorer.
When o. got pound or two for a
review. he slicked up in his finest man
ner and went forth alone to seek and
find. Somehow the Plough" and the
Tavern" did not appeal to him when
he was in funds. But he would give
you his shirt if you happened upon him
in some new Pub" which he had To-
Gated, and was trying to impress with
his spirit. Then was 20" indeed in
his glory.
"Why, my dear fellow" he would
say. how fortunate, What is il to be?''
Perhaps you wanted bus fare to
Hampstead.
Most assuredly. Have something
TO warm you up for the ride"
The other Guards did not like
"Q's" running off when he felt flush
"Mengy." in particular; but "Mengy''
ought to be very grateful 10 90
When "Mengy' got permission to lee
ture on mummies at the museum and
sent out learned circulars about his
accomplishments as an Psychologist.
who was it."Mengy." that made up
your audience at your first lecture ?
None other than poor. old hayward
% II he hadn't exercised compassion.
you would have had no hearers at all.
The Guards" could not be referred
to here without reference to "Bosky. .
although / never knew him as well as
/ did 20" and "Mengy." "Bosky" prob
ably had the greatest reputation of all
as a learned man and writer. His
writings on ancient men and things
appear in our magazines at times. He
once got me very much interested in
what he knew about the art of bur-
glary in Pharaoh's time. and / have
often wondered Why he did not write
the article he had in mind. But. with
all his knowledge of dead nations and
languages, ''Bosky" enjoyed his "Tav-
ern' sittings quite as much as did 90
and "Mengy." The last time / saw
in Chaldaic. He handed me some HE
roglyphics on an envelope. "Maening?''
said. ''Bosky'' smiled benevolently.
and said: Il want a long drink from
the Far West