The house was large, the rooms airy, the furniture costly, the provisions of the table profusely abundant. I had a horse to ride, and spent my time principally alone and with Mr. Eddy. The master of the house was incapable of society from drinking brandy and consequent stupidity and ignorance. He had been educated at Princeton College and is probably somewhat under forty. At Mr. Mongin's table there are always a number of visitors and generally some retainers.
Food is provided in most abundant quantities and in great variety.
I observed not fewer than ten or twelve hot dishes for breakfast and supper, besides many cold ones. These dishes were generally excellent in their kinds. How all these things could be cooked would puzzle a Northern man . . . . The furniture of this mansion was expensive, but was little attended to. The general aspect of things indicated slackness and listlessness.