Page:The George Inn, Southwark.djvu/15

 AS IT IS TO-DAY

"There is no private house in which people can enjoy themselves so well as at a capital tavern &hellip; there is nothing which has been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced, as by a good tavern or inn."—Samuel Johnson.

1

N olden days the way over London Bridge through Southwark was practically the only thoroughfare between the city and the southern counties to the coast of England linking up her shores with the continent; and, in the coaching days, which were also the days when the transport of goods between these two points was only possible by wagon, this high road out of London was one of the most important and busiest. Consequently it was well supplied with inns, all of which were necessary to the needs of traders and travellers. Indeed, the demand was so great and the supply so adequate, that we learn from a State Paper, 1619, that the Borough consisted chiefly of Innkeepers. Our "State Paper," however, was a little belated, for John Stow had discovered and recorded the fact in his "Survey of London" in 1598, wherein he says that from the Marshalsea to London Bridge "be many fair Inns for the receipt of travellers," and mentions by name, "The Spurre," "The Christopher," "The Bull," "The Queen's Head," "The Tabard," "The George," "The Heart," "The King's Head." It may be said, however, that some of these inns dated back to a couple of 9