The tavern itself, in reference to the obvious
pursuit of many of those who made it their home, was entitled "The
Golden Egg"--a title made sufficiently notorious to the spectator, from
a huge signboard, elevated some eight or ten feet above the building
itself, bearing upon a light-blue ground a monstrous egg of the deepest
yellow, the effect of which was duly heightened by a strong and thick
shading of sable all round it--the artist, in this way, calculating no
doubt to afford the object so encircled its legitimate relief. Lest,
however, his design in the painting itself should be at all
questionable, he had taken the wise precaution of showing what was meant
by printing the words "Golden Egg" in huge Roman letters, beneath it;
these, in turn, being placed above another inscription, promising
"Entertainment for man and horse."
But the night had now closed in, and coffee was in progress. Ralph took
his seat with the rest of the lodgers, though without partaking of the
feast.
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