The topography of Old London is a subject that interests
many people, but it has been confused by a succession of careless writers, each copying his predecessor's mistakes. However, a few serious students, like Mr. Walter G. Bell and the late Mr. C. L. Kingsford, have shown that exact results can be obtained by those who patiently search London's very copious records. With this small band we must class Dr. Kenneth Rogers, who has followed up his study of the ' Boar's Head' in Eastcheap with a most valuable little book on The Mermaid and Mitre Taverns in Old London (Homeland Asso- ciation, 10s. 6d.). He proves definitely for the first time that the famous ' Mermaid,' frequented by the wits of Shakespeare's day, was in Bread Street, on the west side and nearly opposite St. Mildred's Church. The property belonged, and still belongs, to the Fishmongers' Company. In Shakespeare's day the tavern was kept by William Williamson, vintner. Dr. Rogers has collected much curious information about the dozen other Mermaids ' and the many ' Mitres '—not least of them Dr. Johnson's house of call in Fleet Street. The book is well illustrated with tokens and signs.
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