Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-08-16
AN ENoLIsHMAN's VIEWS OF WASHINGTON,

gentleman IN EngianOs VINO spcht sVanO uno
in this country, lately wrote TO friend in orksnre'
giving his opinion of matters and things in general.
He'admits the people Of the United States 70 pc
very decent nice SET Of fellows, and speaks particu
lary of our hotels and steamboats, far SURPRISING
those Of England in general arrangement and pro-
fusion Of good food. He maintains that London
Is at once the dearest and the cheapest city in the
world-.he dearest. because if you desire 70 1--we
well and in good society you must pay TOR i, a.
prices which few, save the aristocracy, can meet
whilst in America there is no distinction OF classes,
and a Minister Of State in travelling not unfre-
quently dimes in company with an under-clerk the
cheapest as arss the absolute necessities OF nie are
concerned, because there nothing s wasedj aPound,
or even halfpound, Of meat can be purchased,
with bread sor vegetables, in quantities however
limited, whlIst in most places i America You must
sske eivSn amount, whether you can use itsOr no,
and in climate where meat will not usually keep
beyond twelve hours in summer great waste is
necessarily imposed upon small house-keepers.
Contrasting theprices of living in the two capitals,
London and Washington, he says:
II the mode Of serving up and the variety of wholesome
dishes taken into consideration, then the living In The mo-
topos Of the States far cheaper than il s in any town Of
magnitude village England Ispent the latter part Of
the summer Of ls49 in Washington, which found rather
dull, but the living quite good ss any Easlshman
need desire, and prices that surprised For instance,
had quite large and airy room, very comfortably furnished
and kept in order for eight dollars per month"; less than two
pounds sterling. took my meals at Cops Pavilion, very
large and spacious building located in the most central part
Of the city for which was charged fifteen and ninepence
week. about three dollars and half Of their money. It is
true there neither gold silver pate costly China,
otherwise the table well furnished any hotel in
London. Every day we had delicious soup (not unfre-
queny cafs head and green TURTLE with fish called BY
the natives sheepshead quite equal to our urbo with
rossbee mutton, and vea good any have eaten at
home, (not excepting the famed Southdown mutton and
in addition there various dishes Of dessert, fu &C.,
and every thing scupuousy clean and neat matter mol
always with where they have black slaves requiring the
constant eye Of the master Mistress know could not
have as good table in London for FIVE pounds week The
only drawback that you compelled to sit with thirty OF
forty person who though usually gentlemany in their de-
and very attentive, yet dispatched their luxurious din
with apdy quite unworthy Of rational beings who eat
for enjoyment The Yankee social fellow in his way,
and would think Of dining alone he could get into
crowd than he would lose opportunity Of making dollar
where one offered. believe that it is this promiscuous
mixing together that renders them polite to each otheT
and so uniformly courteous to strangers. WAsHIseroS,
though young, boasts Of many beautiful buildings numerous
churches, and as fine hotels any in the world.