The Express.
London, England, 1867-09-13 00:00:00

LONDON' DINNERS.

The correspondence and controversy respecting
London dinners confine° with unabated vivacity.
" Hungry Clerk," who has just returned from a trip is
Paris, publishes a bill of fare in which very excellent
broth figures at three halfpence a bean. No attempt, he
says, is made to worry • customer into ordering an
beyond what he actually wants. Governesses, clerkythings, saa
that numerous class to be found in Paris, " petite
rentiers," order just what suits their tastes and pockets,
Clean tumblers and water are placed on every little table,
so that there is no occasion to take wine or beer for the
"good of the house," although of the former the "notion"
(about a gill) may be had for three halfpence, quite enough
for many when mixed with water.
Another correspondent, who has been to Paris, dwells
on the fact that, though meat is much clearer there than
here, • good dinner including wine is served at ratan.
rants suited to clerk., at from Id. to 10iL Where the
charges are made only according to the dishes chosen, the
prices are generally for soup 2d., meat 3d. and 4d., veg..
tables Id. and 2d., fruit or cheese, Id. and 2d.; coffee
Id., 2d., and 3d. ; bread no charge at dinners. A box
on the counter receives any gratuities for waiters.
Tickets are sold and • discount allowed, varying with the
number bought.
In Reading, writes W. H. F. " I can get • first.
class dinner, consisting of • large plate of meat, potatoes,
cabbage, and bread, in fact as much as any moderate man
can eat, for 9d. How is it, then, that the eating-house
keepers of London cannot afford to do the same`"
At • Working Man's Hall, established in Shrewsbury, a
good dinner, it is stated, can be obtained for 54d.—th..,
one good-sized plate of meat, 4d. ; one ditto potatoes, ld.;
bread, }d. ; • cup of good tea or coffee, Id. extra, if
releveral correspondents suggest the establishment of co.
operative dining and reading rooms with • committee of
London clerks. It only wants, says the writer, some eau.
getic man in London to start this, and in three months
the city clerk micht have • good dinner for about 7d„
" The Civil Service Supply Association" is an instance of
the beneficial results attainable by co-operation. Bra.
playa engaged in the various branches of that service by
the outlay of se. in the purchase of a yearly ticket have
the opportunity afforded them of obtaining goods of every
description at • discount, varying according to the dif.
ferent trades, from 5 to 30 per cent.
From another letter it appears that the Working Men's
Club and Institute Union are endeavouring to promote
the object in view.

WEATHER REPORT.-(THIS DAY.)

Tztoky, 88przisca 18, 8 A.X.

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