The Oriental Divan, Regent-street.
The Private Subscription Divan, Pall Mall.
The Royal City Divan, St. Paul's Churchyard.
The Royal Divan, King-street, Covent Garden.
The Royal Divan, Strand.
The Divan, Charing Cross.
The whole of these divans are fitted up in a style of Asiatic splendour
and comfort, that produces to the uncultivated eye a very novel and
pleasing effect; while, upon a closer examination, the other senses are no
less delighted.
The Journals of every nation in Europe are a general attraction to
linguists and foreigners, while the cream of our own ever fertile press
leaves the English reader nothing to wish for in the way of literature.
Indeed, no means of entertainment are found wanting at these delightful
_soirees_; chess invites the player, pictures the eye, and occasional
music the ear; while lounging on a sopha with a cigar in the mouth, the
gazer might almost fancy himself in the land of the crescent.
The divans in Regent-street and Pall Mall, are considered the most
oriental of any in town, though the saloon in the Strand is perhaps the
largest.
A refinement that peculiarly distinguishes the divan in King-street, is an
admirably laid-out garden; at night lit by numerous parti-coloured lamps;
in the day during the summer-time it forms a pleasing attraction to all
lovers of the cooling shade.
Of the Royal City Divan, of whose elegant interior our frontispiece
engraving presents so correct a view, we can only say that its allurements
are peculiarly attractive. In the first place, the saloon has an advantage
in being situated--unlike all the other divans--on the first-floor, and is
fitted up in a very superior manner. It likewise possesses, from the
extent and spaciousness of the premises, the additional advantage of
private refreshment rooms, to which parties of friends can retire from the
busy hum of the grand saloon, and enjoy the pleasures of a convivial
glass.
Altogether, we cannot help observing, ere we conclude, that great merit is
due to the several proprietors of the divans for the tasteful and
expensive way in which they have furnished their different saloons; while,
from the extreme moderation of their charges, they cannot but have strong
claims to the patronage of a discerning public.