Reading.
[It is highly probable that the scene "An Ale-house Room" in
Goldsmith's comedy _She Stoops to Conquer_ is the "Three Pigeons" at
Brentford, as this remarkable hostel dates its origin from the days of
Shakspeare and Ben Jonson. It is frequently mentioned by the early
dramatists, and appears at one time to have been in some repute, having
had for its landlord the celebrated tragedian, John Lowin, cotemporary
of Shakspeare, and one of the original actors in his plays, who died in
this house at a very advanced age:
"Thou art admirably suited for the Three Pigeons
At Brentford, I swear I know thee not."--_The Roaring Girl._
"We will turn our courage to Braynford--westward,
My bird of the night--to the Pigeons."--Ben Jonson's _Alchymist_.