t, flowers, and exotics in profusion, invite alike the eye and the
appetite.

Onwards they reached the classic ground of Drury, "Where Catherine
Street descends into the Strand."

"I never," said the Hon. Tom Dashall, "pass this spot without a feeling
of veneration--the scenes of "olden times" rise on my view, and the
shades of Garrick, and our late loss, and not less illustrious
Sheridan, flit before me! This was then, as now, the seat of Cyprian
indulgence--the magnet of sensual attraction, where feminine youth and
beauty in their most fascinating and voluptuous forms were let out by
the unprincipled procuress, and the shrines of Venus and Apollo invited
the votaries of each to nocturnal sacrifice.{1}

1 The avenue to the boxes of Drury Lane Theatre was, in the
time of Garrick, through Vinegar Yard. In this passage an
old spider, better known, perhaps, by the name of a
Procuress, had spread her web, alias, opened a Bagnio, and
obtained a plentiful living by preying on those who
unfortunately or imprudently fell into her clutches. Those
who are not unacquainted with haddocks, will understand the
loose fish alluded to, who beset her doors, and accosted
with smiles or insults every one that passed. It happened
that a noble Lord, in his way to the theatre, with his two
daughters under his arm, was most grossly attacked by this
band of "flaming ministers." He immediately went behind the
scenes, and insisted on seeing Mr. Garrick, to whom he
represented his case, and so roused the vengeance of the
little Manager, that he instantly, full of wrath, betook
himself to this unholy Sybil:--

"Twin-child of Cacus; Vulcan was their sire, Full offspring
both of healthless fume and fire!"

Finding her at the mouth of her cavern, he quickly gave veut
to his rage in the most buskin'd strain, and concluded by
swearing that he would have her ousted. To this assault she
was not backward in reply, but soon convinced him that she
was much more powerful in abusive language than our Roscius,
though he had recourse in his speech to Milton's "hell-born
bitch," and other phrases of similar celebrity, whilst she
entirely depended on her own natural resources. Those to
whom this oratory is not new, have no need of our reporting
any of it; and those to whom it is a perfect mystery, boast
a "state