Passing the next block onwards, we arrive at the handsome frontage of the HOTEL CECIL. In former days, at western corner of same, close to No. 75, there existed a narrow and precipitous passage which was formerly the approach to the halfpenny boats. It led to a little public-house, “The Fox-under-the-Hill,” for a long time shut up and in ruinous condition—once situated on the water-side, the site of which is now covered by the west wing of the Hotel Cecil. This place is spoken of in Mr. Forster’s Biography as being one of our author’s _favourite localities_, and referred to in “Copperfield,” as before mentioned, in connection with the Adelphi Arches. This, then, was doubtless the tavern at which _Martin Chuzzlewit_, _junr._, was accommodated, on his arrival in London, “in the humbler regions of the Adelphi;” and where he was unexpectedly visited by _Mark Tapley_, who then and there became his “nat’ral born servant, hired by fate,” and his very faithful friend.—See “Martin Chuzzlewit,” chapter 13. Farther onwards, on the same side, towards the centre of the Strand, there stood near Savoy Street the house which in all probability was the Residence of Miss La Creevy. It will be recollected that Ralph Nickleby, visiting his relations at this address in the Strand, is described as stopping “At a private door, about halfway down that crowded thoroughfare.” No. 111 was an old-fashioned house in just such a position, with a private door—a somewhat unusual convenience in the Strand. A photographer’s case had, for many years, displaced the “large gilt frame screwed upon the street door,” in which Miss La Creevy aforetime displayed her painted miniatures. The place has been pulled down, together with the adjoining house. Handsome modern business premises are erected on the double site.—See “Nicholas Nickleby,” chapter 2. We now cross to the north side of the Strand, and take the next turning on the left, _Wellington Street North_. Passing the Lyceum Theatre, we may note, on the opposite side, the offices of the Gaiety Theatre, No. 16. For many years this was the Office of “Household Words”; this well-known miscellany being started under the conductorship of Charles Dickens, March 30, 1850. It was afterwards removed to No. 26, higher up, on the same side of the way, at which address the later issue of _All the Year Round_ was published, as conducted by Charles Dickens, the son. Proceeding a short distance onwards, and turning to the left, we come into the precincts of Covent Garden Market. At the south corner of _Russell Street_ we may note the position of the old HUMMUMS HOTEL, mentioned in “Great Expectations” as the place where Pip slept, in accordance with the warning received from Mr. Wemmick—“Don’t go home.”