r. Killpack, for selling
spirituous liquor. Mr. James (the counsel for the defendant) stated that
there was a club held there, of which Mr. Keeley, the actor, was
treasurer, and many others of the theatrical profession were members, and
that they had a store of brandy, whiskey, and other spirits. Fined L5 in
each case."--_Observer_

[ILLUSTRATION: Best British Brandy not Permitted]

INVOCATION.

Assist, ye jocal nine[1], inspire my soul!
(Waiter! a go of Brett's best alcohol,
A light, and one of Killpack's mild Havannahs).
Fire me! again I say, while loud hosannas
I sing of what we were--of what we _now_ are.
Wildly let me rave,
To imprecate the knave
Whose curious _information_ turned our porter sour,
Bottled our stout, doing it (ruthless cub!)
Brown,
Down
Knocking our snug, unlicensed club;
Changing, despite our _belle esprit_, at one fell _swop_,
Into a legal coffee-crib, our contraband cook-shop!

ODE.

Then little Bob arose,
And doff'd his clothes,
Exclaiming, "Momus! Stuff!
I've played him long enough,"
And, as the public seems inclined to sack us,
Behold me ready _dressed_ to play young Bacchus.
He said[2] his legs the barrel span,
And thus the Covent Garden god began;--
"GENTLEMEN,--I am--ahem--!--I beg your pardon,
But, ahem! as first low com. of Common Garden--
No, I don't mean that, I mean to say,
That if we were--ahem!--to pay
So much per quarter for our quarterns, [Cries of 'Hear!']
Import our own champagne and ginger-beer;
In short, _small_ duty pay on all we sup--
Ahem!--you understand--I give it up."
The speech was ended,
And Bob descended.
The club was formed. A spicy club it was--
Especially on Saturdays; because
They dined extr'ordinary cheap at five o'clock:
When there were met members of the Dram. A. Soc.
Those of the sock and buskin, artists, court gazetteers--
Odd fellows all--_odder_ than all their club compeers.
Some were sub-editors, others reporters,
And more _illuminati_, joke-importers.
The club was heterogen'ous
By strangers seen as
A refuge for destitute _bons mots_--
_Depot_ for leaden jokes and pewter pots;
Repertory for gin and _jeux d'esprit_,
Literary pound for vagrant rapartee;
Second-hand shop for left-off witticisms;
Gall'ry for Tomkins and Pitt-icisms;[3]
Foundling hospital for every bastard p