Travels in North America, From Modern Writers: With Remarks and Observations; Exhibiting a Connected View of the Geography and Present State of that Quarter of the GlobeBingley, William
History
Travels in North America, From Modern Writers: With Remarks and Observations; Exhibiting a Connected View of the Geography and Present State of that Quarter of the Globe
Bingley, William
Canada -- Description and travel; Mexico -- Description and travel; United States -- Description and travel
There are in Louisville, two great hotels, one of which has, on an
average, one hundred and forty, and the other eighty boarders. A person,
on going to either of them, applies to the bar-keeper for admittance:
and the accommodations are very different from those in an English
hotel. The place for washing is not, as with us, in the bed-rooms; but
in the court-yard, where there are a large cistern, several towels and a
negro in attendance. The sleeping-room usually contains from four to
eight bedsteads, having mattresses and not feather-beds; sheets of
calico, two blankets, and a quilt: the bedsteads have no curtains. The
public rooms are, a news-room, a boot-room, (in which the bar is
situated,) and a dining-room. The fires are generally surrounded by
parties of about six persons. The usual custom with Americans is to pace
up and down the news-room, in a manner similar to walking the deck of a
ship at sea. Smoking segars is practised by all, and at every hour of
the day. Argument or discussion, in this part of the world, is of very
rare occurrence; social intercourse seems still more unusual;
conversation on general topics, or taking enlarged and enlightened views
of things, rarely occurs: each man is in pursuit of his own individual
interest. At half past seven, the first bell rings for the purpose of
collecting all the boarders, and, at eight, the second bell rings;
breakfast is then set, the dining-room is unlocked, a general rush
commences, and some activity, as well as dexterity, is necessary to
obtain a seat at the table. The breakfast consists of a profuse supply
of fish, flesh, and fowl, which is consumed with a rapidity truly
extraordinary. At half-past one, the first bell rings, announcing the
approach of dinner; the avenues to the dining-room become thronged. At
two o'clock the second bell rings, the doors are thrown open, and a
repetition of the breakfast-scene succeeds. At six, tea, or what is here
called supper, is announced, and partaken of in the same manner. This is
the last meal, and it usually affords the same fare as breakfast. At
table there is neither conversation nor drinking: the latter is effected
by individuals taking their liquor at the bar, the keeper of which is in
full employ from sunrise to bed-time. A large tub of water, with a
ladle, is placed at the bar; and to this the customers go and help
themselves. When spirits are called for, the decanter is handed; the
person calling for them takes what quantity he pleases, and the charge
is sixpence-halfpenny. The life of boarders at an American tavern,
presents a senseless and comfortless mode of killing time. Most houses
of this description are thronged to excess; and few of the persons who
frequent them, appear to have any other object in view than spitting and
smoking.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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