* * *

PEEPS INTO THE LITERARY CIRCLES OF LONDON. —The society of the literary world of London is conducted after this wise: There are certain persons, for the most part authors, editors, or artists, but with the addition of a few who can only pride themselves upon being the patrons of literature and art—who hold periodical assemblies of the Notables. Some appoint a certain evening in every week during the season, a general invitation to which is given to the favoured; others are monthly; and others, again, at no regular intervals. At these gatherings the amusements are conversation and music only, and the entertainment is unostentatious and inexpensive, consisting of tea and coffee, wine or negus handed about in the course of the evening, and sandwiches, cake, and wine, at eleven o’clock. Suppers are prohibited by common consent, for costliness would speedily put an end to society too agreeable to be sacrificed to fashion. The company meets usually between eight and nine, and always parts at midnight. I believe that these are the only social circles in London in which inexpensiveness of entertainment is the rule, and hence, perhaps, it is that they are the most frequent, the most social, and the most agreeable. At these parties there is always an amusing and singular congregation of characters. The only recognised test of admission is talent. If a person be remarkable for any talent, no matter what his station in life, here he is welcome. The question always asked in the literary circles of London is not, as in other circles, “what is he?” but “who is he?” Authors, artists, editors, musicians, scientific men, actors and singers, male and female are grouped together indiscriminately, and peers, baronets, knights, lawyers, doctors, booksellers, printers—provided they possess this qualification of being authors, artists, or musicians, or be renowned as the patrons of literature, art, or music, here meet together in temporary social equality, but regulated by so much good sense, that it does not lead to familiarity elsewhere. —From the London Literary Journal: the Critic.

* * *