[* 1917, p.214.]

At the close of the eighteenth century the "Black Boy" was
recognised as the leading hostelry of the town, and was known far
and wide. In the Pickwickian days it was a busy posting-house for
the coaches from London to many parts of Norfolk.

[illustration: The "Black Boy," Chelmsford. From an old engraving]

Before Mr. Pickwick carried out his determination to pursue Jingle,
he had occasion to visit the "Magpie and Stump," "situated in a
court, happy in the double advantage of being in the vicinity of
Clare Market and closely approximating to the back of New Inn."
This was the favoured tavern, sacred to the evening orgies of
Mr. Lowten and his companions, and by ordinary people would be
designated a public-house. The object of Mr. Pickwick's visit was
to discover Mr. Lowten, and on enquiry, found him presiding over a
sing-song and actually engaged in obliging with a comic song at the
moment. After a brief interview with that worthy, Mr. Pickwick was
prevailed upon to join the festive party.

[illustration: The "George the Fourth," Clare Market. Drawn
by C. G. Harper]

There were, at the time, two taverns, either of which might have
stood as the original for the "Magpie and Stump"; the "Old Black
Jack" and the "George the Fourth," both in Portsmouth Street, and
both were demolished in 1896. Which was the one Dickens had in mind
it is difficult to say. His description of its appearance runs as