"In 1814, the dances at Almack's were Scotch reels, and the old English country-dance; the orchestra, being from Edinburgh, was conducted by the then celebrated Neil Gow. In 1815, Lady Jersey introduced from Paris the favourite quadrille. The persons who formed the very first quadrille that was ever danced at Almack's were Lady Jersey, Lady Harriett Butler, Lady Susan Ryder, and Miss Montgomery; the men being the Count St. Aldegonde, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Montague, and Charles Standish. The mazy waltz was also brought to us about this time; but there were comparatively few who at first ventured to whirl round the salons of Almack's; in course of time Lord Palmerston might, however, have been seen describing an infinite number of circles with Madame de Lieven. Baron de Neumann was frequently seen perpetually turning with the Princess Esterhazy; and in course of time, the waltzing mania, having turned the heads of society generally, descended to their feet, and the waltz was practised in the morning in certain noble mansions in London with unparalleled assiduity."--_Abridged from the Reminiscences of Captain Gronow, 1862._ CLUBS AT THE THATCHED HOUSE. Mr. Willis took this tavern from Mr. Freere, about 1755; and, as a relative of Mr. Almack, afterwards succeeded to the celebrated assembly-rooms which bore his name. "If the old saw, that 'practice makes perfect,'" writes Admiral Smyth, "be correct, the _cuisinerie_ of the Thatched House ought to surpass that of all others; for besides accidental parties and visitors, the Messrs Willis ably entertain the following Societies and Clubs: [this was written in 1860.] Actuaries, Institute of. Catch Club. Club, Johnson's. Cornish Club. Dilettanti Society. Farmers' Club. Geographical Club. Geological Club. Linnæan Club. Literary Society. Navy Club. Philosophical Club. Physicians, College of, Club. Political Economy Club. Royal Academy Club. Royal Astronomical Club. Royal Institution Club. Royal London Yacht Club. Royal Naval Club, (1765). Royal Society Club. St. Albans Medical Club. St. Bartholomew's Contemporaries. Star Club. Statistical Club. Sussex Club. Union Society, St. James's. And they moreover accommodate the following Masonic Lodges:-- Friendship. Prince of Wales's. Middlesex. Chapter of Friendship. Chapter of Prince of Wales's. Mount Mosiah Chapter. Castle Lodge of Harmony. The Knights Templars. Britannic Lodge. THE KIT-KAT CLUB. (Page 62.) Charles Dartiquenane, better known by the abbreviated name of Dartineuf, was the intimate friend and associate of Swift, Steele, and Addison, and a member of the Kit-Kat Club. He was not only famous as an epicure, but as a punster. He is said to have been a contributor to the _Tatler_, though his papers cannot now be ascertained. Pope, in his _Epistles_, has: