Description
Original 12 page ( 5 double-sided) article carefully removed from a September, 1889 edition of Harper's New Monthly Magazine.
“London Mock Parliaments“
by John Lillie
In this rare and authentic 120 year-old historical article, author John Lillie examines the "mock parliaments " of London, the debating societies which held forth in meeting halls and taverns in the city where the male citizens of London would meet for a goblet of stout and a pipe, and debate the issues of the day. With 12 pages of text and 11 illustraions, Lillie, weaving historical references with his personal observations, describes the characters, atmosphere and discussions at meetings of such groups as "Ye Ancient Society of Cogers," "The Temple Discussion Forum at the Green Dragon," "The Peacock,"and the "Kensington Parliament." Lillie and his artist visit all the clubs and his descriptions of the goings-on are priceless. This is a marvelous first-hand account of the "debating societies" that solved Great Britian's problems while the "real" Parliament was just practicing!
Excerpts:
“In the window is a large placard with this inscription: 'Ye Ancient Society of Cogers. Established 1755. Strangers are invited. Admission Free. The Question for Discussion this Evening Will Be ______. ...Though one lifts his hat to the company on entering, nobody thinks of taking it off, except the "Grand," and the member who is addressing the house...It is not easy to describe the audience. An artist who went there with me one evening said he had never in his life met with such a field for character study. There seem to be men of all ages, classes, and conditions - well-to-do tradesmen, budding lawyers, newspaper reporters, clerks, a small sprinkling who might be artisans or petty tradesmen, and a good many whose occupation it would be difficult to guess..."
*
"When I first knew the Cogers and the neighboring debating clubs their discussions were not limited to politics, but covered a wide field. They were specially fond of mysterious murder trials, and great law cases like that of the Tichborne claimant (which they re-tried in all its curious phases), the Bradlaugh and Besant and Weldon cases, and other "causes celebres," were tried in these amateur courts of Justice in calm disregard of the proceedings elsewhere..."
*
"A walk of two minutes down Fleet Street brings us to a tall new freestone building labelled on the lamp "The Green Dragon," and wearing the appearance of a public house and tavern, which it is. Across the window is inscribed in permanent letters: THE TEMPLE DISCUSSION FORUM. ESTABLISHED 1667. And underneath every morning is posted up a paper announcing the subject of the evening's debate, and inviting strangers to enter and engage in the discussion. This is the oldest, by more than a century, of the existing discussion forums..."
This has been just a short synopsis of the personal observations and experiences presented in this unique article about the debating societies of London, their participants and history, in the 1880's.
Page size: Approx 7" x 9"
11 Illustrations, 1 Full Page (fp)
List of Illustrations, Maps, or Diagrams
A Chairman
*
The Cogers in the Old Days
*
A Radical
*
Coger's Hall (fp)
*
An Important Coger
*
Sketches at Discussion Forum, Fleet Street
*
Winding up the Debate
*
"Irish Hot"
*
After the Debate
*
Energy
*
Sketches in Kensington Parliament
CONDITION:120 years old, guaranteed original, yellowed from age. I do not trim the binding edge. There will be staple holes, and may be very minor tearing and/or wrinkling along the binding edge. These defects will not in any way interfere with framing, and you may trim as desired.
CLICK ON MY STORE LINK TO VIEW OTHER GREAT VINTAGE HISTORICAL ARTICLES AND ITEMS FOR SALE.
Thanks for Looking.
Payment
Per eBay policy, only electronic forms of payment are acceptable. I accept Paypal. I will invoice the winning bidder within 36 hours. Payment is expected within 10 days of invoice.
Shipping
Shipping to the US is $2.00 Canada and Mexico are $3.00 Great Britain and Australia are $4.50 US $5.00 Airmail to other parts of the world. Items are shipped securely in unbendable 9x12 or 10x13 manila envelopes, protected in plastic. Insurance at $1.70, up to $50.00 value, is optional. Higher winning bids please email for insurance quote. If you are concerned about receiving the item, please purchase the insurance to protect your investment. I have had one claim in over 2000 items sent. Multiple item bidding winners pay only one shipping charge, regardless of number of items.
Terms of Sale
You may return any item for a full refund including return shipping within 14 days of receipt.
About Us
Historicity and More is dedicated to making available the finest and most diverse selection of historical paper articles from the 19th and early 20th Centuries. From the pages of Scribner's, Harper's, Munsey's, The Century, The Mentor, New England Magazine and others, we offer only original illustrated articles for auction or sale. Our clients are as diverse as the items. Professors, social studies teachers, students, geneologists, libraries, museums, relatives, art historians, art collectors, and social historians have all found something helpful among our selections. Please inquire for subjects not listed, as our inventory grows daily.
Should you need another view, enlarged scan, or have a question please contact me as early as possible in the auction. I will gladly send a scan of any of the illustrations listed above. I regret that I cannot guarantee a response with less than 36 hrs. before auction close.
Back to home page
) 
Historicity and More
Print
Report item
and your 