Thackeray, who for some time had been a member of the Garrick Club, was elected to the Reform in 1840, being proposed by Mr. Martin Thackeray and seconded by Mr. Henry Webbe. Sir Wemyss Reid gives an interesting description of the author at this Club. “Again and again I have heard descriptions of how he used to stand in the smoking-room, his back to the fire, his legs rather wide apart, his hands thrust into the trouser-pockets, and his head stiffly thrown backward, while he joined in the talk of the men occupying the semi-circle of chairs in front of him.... To some of us, at least, the Club is endeared by the thought that he was once one of ourselves; that he sat in these chairs, dined at these tables, chatted in these rooms, and, with his wise, far-seeing eyes surveyed the world from these same windows.” In the strangers’ room at the Reform Club hangs a portrait of Thackeray by Samuel Laurence. On one side of it there stands a bust of Sir William Molesworth, on the other of Charles Buller. The latter seconded Thackeray when he was proposed by the Rev. W. Harness as a member of the Athenæum on February 12th, 1846. Thackeray was elected to this Club in 1851 under the rule which provides for the introduction of “persons of distinguished eminence in science, literature, or public services.” [Sidenote: =No. 13, Young Street, Kensington= _see page 18_] In 1846 Thackeray took a house at 13 (now 16), Young Street, Kensington, where he established a home for his daughters. “Vanity Fair,” “Pendennis,” and “Esmond” were written there. “Vanity Fair” made its appearance in yellow covers, being brought out in monthly parts by Messrs. Bradbury & Evans. The first number was issued in January 1847, the last in July 1848. When passing his house in Young Street with Mr. J. T. Fields, the American publisher, Thackeray exclaimed, “Go down on your knees, you rogue, for here ‘Vanity Fair’ was penned, and I will go down with you, for I have a high opinion of that little production myself.” [Sidenote: =Mr. Michael Angelo Titmarsh as he appeared at Willis’s Rooms= _see page 21_] The first number of “Pendennis” appeared in November 1848, but the author’s severe illness at the end of 1849 interrupted its publication, which was not concluded until 1850. “Pendennis” was followed by “Esmond” in 1852. Whilst residing in Young Street Thackeray delivered his famous lectures on the English humorists at Willis’s Rooms. On page 21 an admirable caricature by John Leech is reproduced from _The Month_ representing Mr. Michael Angelo Titmarsh as he appeared in these rooms in his celebrated character of Mr. Thackeray: