The Trade Signs of Essex: A popular account of the origin and meanings of the public houses & other signs — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The Trade Signs of Essex: A popular account of the origin and meanings of the public houses & other signs
John Stuart Mill · en
the first became Sir Henry Havelock so long ago as 1857; the second
became Lord Clyde in the same year, and died in 1863; while the third
was created Lord Lawrence in 1869, and died in 1879. Eminent naval
commanders are commemorated by four examples of the LORD NELSON, one of
the NELSON’S HEAD, and one of the LORD NAPIER. Sixty years ago, too,
there was a *DUNCAN’S HEAD at Colchester. It was doubtless in honour of
Admiral Duncan, who died in 1804. Larwood and Hotten do not notice this
sign. The RODNEY at Little Baddow is a house well known to the
worshippers of “St. Lubbock” and to other holiday-keepers in the
neighbourhood of Chelmsford. It, of course, commemorates Admiral Lord
Rodney, who died in 1792.
Mr. H. W. King writes:
“The taking of Porto Bello in 1739, and the popularity of Admiral
Vernon at the time, caused many VERNON’S HEADS. One formerly
existing at *Rochford is now demolished and has ceased to be.
Either entirely new inns were thus named, or else old signs were
abolished to make way for the portrait of the new favourite.
Probably there were often similar changes for the sake of
popularity.”
One of the most notable signs in the county belonging to this class is
the SIR WILFRID LAWSON at Woodford. It will be quite unnecessary to
state that this is not an ordinary inn-sign. A Conservative politician
would be more likely to deliver himself of an oration in praise of Mr.
Gladstone and his virtues, than a publican to erect a sign to the honour
of Sir Wilfrid Lawson. The house which exhibits this sign is a Coffee
Tavern erected by an ardent abstainer and opened by Sir Wilfrid in May,
1883. The following amusing lines were penned by a member of the company
present at the opening. They are, it is said, still to be seen in the
house.
“All hops abandon, ye who enter here;
The wicked Wilfrid haunts this Watery Cavern;
No wine, no whisky, nor even bitter beer,
Flow through the channels of this Coffee Tavern.
The steaming coffee and the fragrant tea
Are ready, where each eye can plainly see ’em;
Tea-total, then, let each incomer be,
And while ‘Te-total’ let him sing Te Deum.”