A Jane Austen Walk From Leicester Square to Green Park

After Spencer House we thought we'd stay in character and do a Jane Austen walk in the neighborhood. Rebecca is an Austen fan, taught her novels in previous years, and had selected this particular walk from a book of such things she had brought to London. Vicki, of course, has read most of the books and seen all the movies. More than once. The walk, put together from the famous author's letters or diaries or novels, included a number of Georgian or Regency sights still in existence, but also plenty more things of interest. My pix and descriptions will be augmented by a map of the walk, but will be light on the Austen angle, since, as noted in an earlier post, I am not really all that well-versed in Austeniana. Actually, not versed at all. 

The map: from Walking Jane Austen's London, by Louise Allen

Site of Fribourg and Freyer, Tobacconists to His Majesty; the original
sign can still be seen, right windows, middle, 2nd row down; I'm
guessing Jane did not smoke, but this is what a storefront would have
looked like in her day; also a candidate for my Sic Transit, Gloria series

Said original sign

The Theater Royale, from the period

Rare dorsal view of Duke of York Column

Tall skinny building, perhaps not on the tour, but of interest;

clearly of the period

Ditto, if not skinny

Always alert for the blue discs

Muy importante

Famous purveyor of oranges, actress, and mistress
to Charles II (by appointment to the King) 

Court of St. James...St. James Palace; its age and size led George IV 
to focus on and enlarge Buckingham House; more fit for a king

Berry Bros and Rudd...purveyors of wine to everyone
important; their scales weighed many notables, including
the Prince Regent, Byron, Nelson, Pitt, and more; we're
still wondering why...Weight Watchers? 

Lock & Co., in business from 1765, where Miss Austen looked
at caps and hats perhaps; has hats made for both Wellington and
Nelson

Probably not Miss Austen's favorite London pub,
the Golden Lion, 1762

Noted cheesemongers, noted by Miss Austen

Ourtside Hatchard's, one of three London booksellers noted by Miss Austen

We spent some time in nearby Fortnum and Mason,
Vicki provisioning herself, like Wellington going on
campaign; she later pronounced F&N's clotted cream
inferior to Rodda's, available at Tesco and everywhere
else in the Realm

Also nearby, and not on the tour, the London branch of our favorite
pharmacy in Florence

Peering into Burlington Arcade, which

Rebecca was to tour another day, with the Head Beadle