"The Grand" at Cromer is not an enormous hotel: it is a Semi-Grand. The example of BACON aforesaid could be therefore easily imitated. Warned of our arrival by letter, rooms secured, train punctual (from St. Pancras to Cromer) to within ten minutes, we drove up to the door of the Semi-Grand in our one-horse fly. Not a soul about. Surely the hotel is open? Yes, the driver knew that much, "because he had taken some people away from there in the morning." These might have been the last roses of summer, the last visitors at the hotel for the season! We waited; no signs of life. "Should he (the driver) ring?" Certainly: a most happy thought. He descendeth; he ringeth. We wait. Then the sound as of a somebody coming. "A Boots in sight appears. We hail him with three cheers"--at least, we ask "if our rooms are ready," and the Boots is of opinion that they are; whereupon another Boots appears, and the pair of Boots lug our luggage into the hall, where we find an amiable lady with keys in her hand who invites us to inspect certain apartments. Our answer is an adaptation of _Hamlet's_ command to the _Ghost_, "Lead on, we follow." * * * We see: we refuse. These are _not_ the rooms we had ordered. "No, they are not." So much is admitted. Then, perhaps, we had better depart and seek hospitality elsewhere. Our beckoner would rather not put us to such inconvenience, and soon discovers what will suit us exactly. So we take them then and there. They _do_ suit us exactly: not down to the ground, as they are first floor. A room with balcony, in the shade all day, facing north, commanding a lovely sea view. What more could mortal require? * * * The air of Cromer, where there is "nothing between you and the North Pole"--so any malicious reports to the contrary may be safely disregarded--is most exhilarating. But the dust O! The dust! On with the water-carts, and down with sandy dust! It is all sand--everywhere. As to situation the Semi-Grand has a decided, and sea-sided, advantage over the other hotels. * * * Delightful view from front windows of the Semi-Grand. Of course the back rooms are rather behind in this respect. Which is but natural. * * * Civility, and a desire to please, are the characteristics of the working staff at the Semi-Grand, directly you know them individually and collectively. But, as the song says, "You've got to know 'em _fust_." * * *