[Footnote 328: _Gent. Mag._ vol. v. p. 105.] [Footnote 329: Charing Cross.] Perhaps one of the now best-known clubs of Anne's time was the Kit Cat, which derived its peculiar cognomen (so Addison says) 'from a Mutton Pye.' Attempts have been made to attribute its origin to a political gathering of Whig noblemen and gentlemen, but contemporary authorities all agree that it was founded by Jacob Tonson, the bookseller; and Sir R. Blackmore (a member of the club), who wrote a poem called 'the Kitcats' in 1708, may be considered as knowing something about what he wrote. Whether the pieman's name was Christopher Cat, or Christopher, living at the sign of the Cat and Fiddle, does not much matter: certain it is that the pies from which the club was named were called Kit Cat's pies. Various domiciles have been given to the club, but Sir R. Blackmore says it was held at the Fountain in the Strand, a site now occupied by the Cigar Divan, as is denoted by the name of Fountain Court. On the fair _Strand_ by which with graceful Pride, Unrival'd _Thamis_ rolls his alternate Tyde, Between the Courts which most the People awe, (In one the Monarch reigns, in one the Law.) A Stately Building rear'd its lofty Head, Which both the _Thames_ and _Town_ around survey'd. Here crown'd with Clusters _Bacchus_ kept his Court, Where mighty Vats his chearful Throne support; High o'er the Gate he hung his waving Sign, A _Fountain_ Red with ever-flowing Wine. ............................................. One Night, in Seven, at this convenient Seat, } Indulgent BOCAJ[330] did the Muses treat, } Their Drink was generous Wine, and _Kit Cat's_ Pyes their Meat. } Here he assembled his Poetic Tribe, Past Labours to Reward, and new ones to prescribe; Hence did th' Assembly's Title first arise, And _Kit-Cat_ Wits sprung first from _Kit-Cat's_ Pyes. BOCAJ the mighty Founder of the State } Led by his Wisdom, or his happy Fate, } Chose proper Pillars to support its Weight } All the first Members for their Place were fit Tho' not of Title, Men of Sense and Wit. [Footnote 330: Jacob transposed.] They showed they had sense at all events, for in the summer they went into the fresh air, and held their meetings at the _Flask_ at Hampstead. Or when Apollo like, thou'rt pleas'd to lead } Thy Sons to feast on _Hampstead's_ airy Head; } _Hampstead_ that now in name _Parnassus_ shall exceed. }