There remain in the old pharmacy early hand-blown bottles, counters and showcases, weights and scales, mortars and pestles, prescriptions, old ledgers, and much unidentified impedimenta of these early apothecaries. The decoration of the interior is indicative of the five generations who have lived and worked here. Georgian and Victorian blend in a harmonious whole. The exterior has been admirably restored to eighteenth century correctness--semicircular windows and all. The shop proper is the ground floor of a three-story business structure. Adjoining is an associated gift shop, also on the ground floor of a three-story building, and the two structures must appear very much as they did when built. [Illustration] Chapter 18 Spring Gardens [414 Franklin Street. Owners: Mr. and Mrs. Harry W. Harris.] The stranger arriving in Alexandria by ship, coach, or horse could be sure of a welcome. The old port was noted for her taverns. They were numerous and good. At the taverns the gentlemen of the town were wont to gather for an oyster supper, a turtle feast, or a cockfight. The Masonic brothers sought these places for their banquets, and often for their meetings. Here stagecoaches drew up with bustle and excitement to put out the mail, change the horses, set down and take up the passengers, and let the traveler call for a draught of ale. Here the mail was collected and distributed. Here sailors could find a berth, the stranger a roaring fire, a glass of grog, food, bed and forage for his weary horse. In 1753 at a court held at Fairfax, the rate for a night's lodging with clean sheets was fixed at 6_d._, "otherwise 3 pence." For a quart of punch with loaf sugar, 1_s._ 3_d._; for a quart of punch with brown sugar, 10_d._ For a hot dish with small beer or cider, 1_s._; for a cold dish, 4_d._ Stablage and fodder for a horse for twenty-four hours, 6_d._; pasturage for twenty-four hours, 4_d._ It was ordered that "the several and respective ordinary keepers in this county do sell according to the above rates in money or tobacco at the rate of twelve shillings and six pence per cubic weight, and that they do not presume to demand more of any person what so ever."[158] Among the Alexandria taverns of note that flourished in the late eighteenth century was Spring Gardens or Yates' Tavern, as the place was known in comparatively recent years. The little brick buildings were surrounded by spacious grounds, the walks edged in box, arbors covered with vines, grapes, fruit and shade trees all but hiding it from view. In the _Columbia Mirror and Alexandria Gazette_ of Saturday, January 12, 1793, the following advertisement appeared: