The World’s-End Tavern was a noted house of entertainment in the reign of Charles II.; the tea-gardens and grounds were extensive, and elegantly fitted up for the reception of company. The origin of the sign of the house is uncertain. It was probably so named on account of its then considered distance from London, and the bad and dangerous state of the roads or pathways to it. Most of the visitors came in pleasure boats along the Thames. This ancient tavern is particularly mentioned in Congreve’s comedy of “Love for Love,” in a dialogue between Mrs. Foresight and Mrs. Frail, in which the former accuses the latter of having been seen at the “World’s End.” _Mrs. Foresight_.—I suppose you would not go alone to the World’s End? _Mrs. Frail_.—The World’s End! what, do you mean to banter me? _Mrs. Foresight_.—Poor innocent! you don’t know that there is a place called the World’s End. I declare you can keep your countenance—surely you’ll make an admirable player. _Mrs. Frail_.—I declare you have a great deal of impudence, and, in my mind, too much for the stage.. _Mrs. Foresight_.—Very well, that will appear who has most. You never were at the Word’s End? _Mrs. Frail_.—No. _Mrs. Foresight_.—You deny it positively to my face? _Mrs. Frail_.—Your face, what’s your face? _Mrs. Foresight_.—No matter for that, it is as good a face as yours. _Mrs. Frail_.—Not by a dozen years wearing. But I do deny it, positively, to your face, then. _Mrs. Foresight_.—I’ll allow you now to find fault with my face; for I declare your impudence has put me out of countenance. But look you here now; where did you lose this gold bodkin? Oh, sister! oh, sister! _Mrs. Frail_.—My bodkin! _Mrs. Foresight_.—Nay, it is yours—look at it. _Mrs. Frail_.—Well, if you go to that, where did you find this bodkin? Oh, sister! sister! sister every way! _Mrs. Foresight_.—Oh! bother on’t that I could not discover her without betraying myself. (_Aside_.)