Taxonomy Term

The were a number of hotels using this unusual name: The Bull and Mouth in Tasmania - "...is still standing a few doors south of Melville Street, on the western side. It opened in 1857."
Source: Dennison, C.J. Here's Cheers: Hobart, HCC, 2008; p. 14

The Bull and Mouth in Victoria was in Bourke Street, Melbourne, and operated by William J. Sugden in the 1850's. Source: Garry Owen: Chronicles of Early Melbourne, Ferguson & Mitchell, 1888

Opening Night.— The practice of indiscriminate "puffing" has been so much the custom of the Colonial Press, that we have often been deterred from bestowing our commendation where deserved rather than risk the imputation of a similar fault. Under the heading of "public improvements,'' we have read in certain journals, buildings, half-brothers to hovels, lauded us perfect specimens of architectural beauty, as possessing internal accommodations equal to Mivarts, whereas on inspection, they are found to be something between a briknogged skillion and Paddy's "native mud edifice, not unfrequently affording that accommodation described by the aforesaid Pat,enabling one to be as "nate and as clene as a pig in a sty.' We admit that lately, the Press has not condescended to degrade itself by notices of this description, but whether this be owing to the wise discretion exercised by the Licensing Bench, or the discretion of our broad sheet brethren we will not undertake to say. We have no fear however, of being accused of transgressing the rules of fair and legitimate commendation, or of intimidating the fault we condemn when, we direct attention to the "public" improvement in appearance given to Bourke-street, by the erection of a spacious hotel, called the "Bull and Mouth," upon the site of the Old Theatre. The proprietor has incurred a very extravagant outlay in the gorgeous decoration of the bar, which exceed anything of the kind we remember to have seen ; we must premise however, that our experience in this line, is not very extensive. The lighting arrangements are very extensive, and will illuminate the whole street, doing duty for half a dozen constables. There are other matters which we might divulge, but as we understand the proprietor wishes to "astonish the natives" we will curtail our observations. Mr. CantIon will not open the house until THIS EVENING, we presume to give the display more brilliancy and effect. Up to the present hour, very for persons have been permitted to see the interior of the premises, the fittings and rich embellishments, of which, we have no hesitation in saying are without parallel in the Colony. It is quite as well that people should have these "hobbys," but we would have looked long and tenderly as the bawbees here expending for such a purpose the "Californy" that these premises must have cost. 1

The New Publicans.— Yesterday, the newly licensed victualler opened their several hotels, they are all very respectably fitted up ; we may mention in particular, Mr. McGrath's, corner of Lonsdale and Stephen street, Mr. Samuel Ralph, corner of Stephen and Bourke street, both of which have very superior accommodations, the landlords are men of excellent character, in whom the public may safely repose confidence. Mr.Mathew Cantlon's newly erected hotel, Bull and Mouth, Great Bourke street, has, however, attracted the greatest attention of any, the superior style and elegance of the house exceeds anything in the City of Melbourne. Mr.Cantlon deserves support for his spirit of enterprise in the great outlay of capital he has been at. 2

• 1LOCAL INTELLIGENCE - The Melbourne Daily News (Vic. : 1848 - 1851) 1 July 1850: p2
• 2DOMESTIC GAZETTE - Port Phillip Gazette and Settler's Journal (Vic. : 1845 - 1850) 2 July 1850: p2