Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
porary guidebook said, 'It is impossible to refer to this acquisition without feeling a patri-
otic exultation.' The rest of the exhibition seems rather less thrilling - 'amphibious animals
in great variety, several mummies and non-descript animals, bones etc.'
In April 1811 Jane told Cassandra that she visited the Liverpool Museum and a gallery.
At that time the museum was at its original location at No. 22 Piccadilly. She reports, '…I
had some amusement at each, tho' my preference for Men & Women, always inclines me
to attend more to the company than the sight,' which rather suggests she managed to ignore
most of the bones.
Return to go down Piccadilly Arcade to Jermyn Street and the statue of Beau Brummell
wearing his beautifully tasselled Hessian boots and elegant neckcloth. Turn right to the
corner of Bury Street where William Brummell kept a lodging house. Through the influ-
ence of one of his lodgers, later to become Lord Liverpool, William's son Billy, father of
George 'Beau' Brummell, began his rise through society.
A bow window at White's Club. It dates to 1811 and may be the famous
window where the 'beaux' would sit to survey the street.
Continue on and you will meet St James's Street again. To your right is White's, at Nos.
37-8. Originating in a chocolate house of 1693, it moved to this site in 1755. The building
was substantially reconstructed in 1778. White's was the oldest, smartest and most exclus-
ive of the Regency clubs and home to the 'Beau' Window set who would loftily watch the
world go by as they sat in the famous bow window. In 1814, during the peace celebrations,
the club threw a great ball that cost £10,000. Guests included King George III, the Prince
Regent, the Emperor of Russia - and Henry Austen. 'Henry at Whites! Oh! What a Henry.'
Jane could hardly contain herself.
The billhead of an account from Hoby's to Major Crowder, who served
with distinction in the Peninsula. A guide to measuring yourself for
boots is included at the top right, which must have been handy for cus-
