Vanishing England by P. H. (Peter Hampson) Ditchfield
page 229 of 374 (61%)
page 229 of 374 (61%)
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famous hostelries of the past.
Not far from Marlborough is Devizes, formerly a great coaching centre, and full of inns, of which the most noted is the "Bear," still a thriving hostel, once the home of the great artist Sir Thomas Lawrence, whose father was the landlord. [Illustration: Courtyard of the George Inn, Norton St. Philip Somerset] It is impossible within one chapter to record all the old inns of England, we have still a vast number left unchronicled, but perhaps a sufficient number of examples has been given of this important feature of vanishing England. Some of these are old and crumbling, and may die of old age. Others will fall a prey to licensing committees. Some have been left high and dry, deserted by the stream of guests that flowed to them in the old coaching days. Motor-cars have resuscitated some and brought prosperity and life to the old guest-haunted chambers. We cannot dwell on the curious signs that greet us as we travel along the old highways, or strive to interpret their origin and meaning. We are rather fond in Berkshire of the "Five Alls," the interpretation of which is cryptic. The Five Alls are, if I remember right-- "I rule all" [the king]. "I pray for all" [the bishop]. "I plead for all" [the barrister]. "I fight for all" [the soldier]. "I pay for all" [the farmer]. One of the most humorous inn signs is "The Man Loaded with Mischief," |
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