The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-04-13
WHOLE NO. 2ls.

His style Of living will not be precisely the
same as at home, but something like It. Break
fast will be on the table, long table. such as
he has been used TO in dear America, from nine
till ten o'clock, during which time the mistress
Of the house presides. After ten o'clock the
mistress leaves the room; but the breakfast
remains for some time longer for the accom-
mediation Of late risers, who have then to wait
upon themselves. At nine O'Clock the table
will again be spread in the dining-room with
cold meats, fowls, &c. This remains so for an
hour, during which time the boarders come in
otake their luncheon without any form or cere-
mony. AT six o'clock the dinner is served upon
the same table. The boarder enters, and takes
his seat. Here heis no stranger. His acquaint-
ance will be made Immediately by the gentle
men around him !; Of course after general in
PRODUCTION by the lady Of the house. AT first
ne will see nothing uncovered on the table but
soup and fish; as soon as these are partaken
Of, and the remains removed, their places are
supplied and the second course is seen to
consist Of meats Of various kinds and made
dishes. These arc all removed, and the table
is then covered with game and pastry. This
is the last course. The cloth is removed the
dessert placed upon the table. He sits in
agreeable conversation with the ladies' and
gentlemen by whom he is surrounded for a
short time, after which the ladies' retire to the
drawing-rooms. The gentlemen remain, and
then the general topics Of the day--politcs,
&c, which are supposed to be unnteresting
10 the ladies', are discussed, until message
announces that the urn has been taken into the
drawlng-room, is the signal for the gentlemen
to join the ladies once more The evening is
spent as each person pleases. There is not
the slightest restraint Little groups form TO
converse whilst parties are made TO please
the elderly ladies'. Music often lends lis fas-
cination, and if young people are congregated
together, dance is not an unfrequent oc-
currence.
Such is life in boarding house, which !
have detailed, somewhat fully, in order that
the traveller may know exactly what he is to
expect. He will not think the English stiff
| and formal here, but free and unrestraned,
and social to degree. II is only at hotels,
and among strangers at public places, that the
English put their " austere hayiour on! I"
Having then fixed upon boarding house
for your residence, your next want is to know
how TO visit the various quarters Of the metro
polls adyantageously. For, without a proper
knowledge as to your procedure, you may vi
SIT them very disadvantageously, and return
home not much wiser than you set out.
In the first place, if you intend staying in
London for any time, hire cabriolet at some
good livery stable. BY hiring one for any
continued time, you can get, at moderate
charge, handsome vehicle, that will not be
shamed by any that you will meet in the most
fashionable quarters Of the town. You will
have a person either to drive or stand behind
your cabriolet; if the first, "A man if the Sc
cond, boy or youth, known by the appelIa-
tion Of a tiger. Whoever il il, he will call
upon you in the morning 70 know at what time
you will have your cab. At the precise time
that you have ordered, it will be at the door Of
your residence. You can then make your
round of calls and visits till dinner. shall d.
rect you as TO the manner Of doing these here
after. After dinner, if you order it, your ca
briolet is brought to you with fresh horse.
You 60 to the Opera-T heatre-party or par
ties and il will not be long before your en-
gagements will be such as TO make two or
three visits Of an evening common occur
renee. From all these you are brought home
without trouble or Inconvenience.
By adopting this plan at the outset you will
be enabled to see infinitely more Of London
than you could otherwise do, and you will save
yourself great amount Of trouble and fatigue,
beside the extortionate demands to which you
will be subject from casual conveyances.-
There is not probably one Of these vehicles
(cabriolets) in every ten that you will meet in
the streets the actual property of the person
owning it for the time although il appears so.
For any individual having a cabriolet for a
length oftime, may have his crest emblazoned
upon the body Of the vehicle.