buildings and all but a thin strip of it hidden from view, is a
veritable piece of old London.

This is the "George and Vulture," known throughout the world as
the tavern that Mr. Pickwick and his friends made their favourite
city headquarters. The address in the directory of this inn is St.
Michael's Alley, Cornhill; The Pickwick Papers, however, describe it
as being in George Yard, Lombard Street. Both are correct. If the
latter address is followed, the inn is not easy to find, for the
sign "Old Pickwickian Hostel" is so high up over the upper window in
the far left-hand corner that it is almost the last thing one sees.
One fares little better from the other approach, for the narrow
alley with its tall buildings facing each other so closely as to be
almost touched with outstretched arms, makes it necessary to search
for the entrance doorway.

These, however, are not drawbacks to the lover of old London, for
he rather prefers to probe about for things he likes, particularly
when, as in this case, the discovery is worth the trouble; for once
inside the "George and Vulture" the pilgrim will be thoroughly
recompensed for the trouble he has taken in finding it. Here he
will be struck by the atmosphere of old time which still prevails,
even though there are signs that the modern has somewhat supplanted
the old. Not long since the dining-room on the ground floor was
well sawdusted, and partitioned off in the old coffee-room style,
and some of these high-backed box-like compartments still remain in
corners of the room. With the knowledge that this ancient hostelry
was called "Thomas's Chop House"--and it still bears that name ground
on the glass doors--one expects to discover a grill loaded up with
fizzing chops and steaks, and there it will be found, presided over