It was thus easily accessible from the higher reaches of Whitehall (in both senses), the Admiralty, the headquarters of certain famous regiments and New—or rather New, New—Scotland Yard. Membership of the club was open to all those of a similar cast of mind to Sir John Mordaunt, fifth baronet (1650–1721), except for active politicians of any—or, indeed, of no—party. This is because Sir John, although an assiduous Member of Parliament himself in his day, had promised to vote in the House according to the promptings of reason and good sense; in the ‘publick good’ rather than with selfish ‘interest’ as it had been put in the early day equivalent of an election address. Henry Tyler was wont to drift in to have luncheon at the Mordaunt Club at least once a week. Whilst it was perfectly possible to reserve a table there when hosting guests or even when dining unaccompanied it was the happy custom of the club that members themselves, if lunching alone, joined those eating at the long refectory table at the far end of the panelled dining-room.
