Bertram Waldrom Matz

“ Added to all these pleasant reflections is the one, almost as uncommon as the Inn itself, that the amiable and good-natured proprietress, Miss Murray, is ever ready to welcome visitors, not merely because she has good wholesome English food and drink to dispense, but because she loves the old Inn and likes others to love it too. She maintains all the old traditions that such a place abounds in, and we can only hope that she will long remain to act as hostess, and that the ravages of the modern builder will never reach the walls of the old-time building. ”

“ When once through the gateway, the imposing and picturesque building confronts you on the right, with its two galleries, stretching across the building, with its bedrooms running out of them, with a bell over each door, reminding you immediately of the minute descriptions of such scenes to be found in the pages of Dickens, particularly of the memorable one of Sam Weller cleaning the boots below and incidentally indulging in a dialogue with a maid leaning over the balustrades above, which is described as having occurred at the White Hart that once stood not very far away. ”

“ It is pleasing to be able to bear witness to the thriving trade that continues to be done in this sole ancient survivor of the old Southwark galleried inns, and to note that, however harshly fate, as personified by rapacious landlords, has dealt with its kind, the old-world savour of the inn is thoroughly appreciated by those not generally thought sentimental persons, the commercial men who dine and lunch, and the commercial travellers who sleep there. ”

“ Suspended from the wall is the old warming pan, without which no self-respecting inn could be considered complete. Between the kitchen and the bar-parlour, with its cosy sitting-room behind, runs the passage leading to the push-up window through which the waiter or waitress of the tap-room gives his—or her—orders.
The bar parlour itself is just ideal and if you can picture Dickens's description of the bar parlour of "The Six Jolly Fellowship Porters" in Our Mutual Friend, or even remember Marcus Stone's picture of it, you will get a good idea of that at the George. ”

“ Although the perfect picture can only be imagined, and there remains only the one side for us to actually visualize the galleries and bedrooms running out of them, we can at least be thankful that even so much remains.
Up above the second tier are long and spacious barns of attics, once used by commerical travellers to exhibit their wares, and where there are more bedrooms. Some of the rooms are now empty and useless, and rats and mice can revel there to their hearts' delight. ”

“ Beyond the coffee-room is another small apartment where little parties of "Ramblers" so often resort for tea; and, like all the rooms in the Inn is provided with mahogany tables, chairs and sideboards. Indeed, mahogany old dark polished mahogany predominates everywhere one goes; in bedrooms, sitting rooms, passages.
The way up to the galleries and bedrooms is by a winding broad staircase, old and worn by the use of thousands of travellers. ”

“ Inside the coffee-room a busy scene can be witnessed at lunch time when the votaries of the Hop Exchange take their mid-day meal and smoke afterwards round the fire, seated in tavern chairs of which Dr. Johnson spoke as being "the throne of human felicity." [2] Often visitors from all parts of the world come and join the company and enjoy a well-cooked meal in the surroundings of the old days.
In The Amateur Gentleman, by Jeffrey Farnol, the George is named as the Inn where Barnabas put up on his arrival in London. ”

“ Set in an historic neighbourhood associated with Shakespeare and the players and, in more modern times, with Dickens and his characters, it has become the rendezvous of a continual flow of literary and antiquarian enthusiasts who never miss an opportunity for a visit to its enticing old-world rooms and exterior.
Literary men, artists and antiquaries on a visit to London still make the Inn their headquarters, and at times there is great competition for one of the two available bedrooms which still retain the old four-poster bedsteads. ”

“ But in the case of "The George" a very substantial portion is still to be seen as in the olden days. It is indeed the only example of the old galleried coaching inn of the the past now existing in London. ”

“ Yet another such club was "The Rolling Stones," composed of business men from the West End. It first selected the George Inn for its festive gatherings some twenty years ago, but prior to that they met at the famous Stone's Chop House in Panton St., Haymarket, hence no doubt their name. The full title of their Club was "The most Secret Brotherhood of the Rolling Stones" and their notice of the dinner was couched in a fanciful style in travesty of Brigandage. It is so amusing we give it in full ”

“ They had a special room reserved for their function in the wing of the building which was demolished in 1889-90, a picture of which will be found on another page. The "Four O'Clockers" was founded about the year 1860 and was only disbanded when their favourite room was demolished in 1889, the members then declining to be transported to the opposite side of the courtyard. It was one of the rigid laws of this coterie that no member should be late for dinner under penalty of a fine. ”