Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-03-13
LOCAL asrgLLsaEscs
THE AMERICAN HOTEL.


Probably feature Of city more forcbly impresses
the traveller with its importancs and condition. than the
number and style ofts hotels Judged by this criterion
Richmond has fear the verdict OF the ira
yelling community for she has in full tide OF src-
cessful experiment. less than five first class hotels
not to mention number of smaller ones where accom-
modaens "ior man and beast beautifully provid
ed
Whilst shall scrupulously refrain from insttutins
any comparison of the relative merits of other hotels as
compared with the AMERICAN" we must BIO permitted
to say that, under the management of its present gen
emany lessee, it has superior in this or any other
city 1t will rank among the first class OF similar estal-
lishments in New York. Philadelphia, Baltimore New
Orleans and is in TRUTH ornament to the city Stua
ted the corner of Main and 18th sts Bank square
it fronts the Capitol Square and commands not only
fine view of the public buildings, but also of James Ri
YER and the lovely landscape above and below the city
The location of this hotel unquestonahy the finest in
the CITY, and we are pleased to hear that it has enjoy
ed and is enjoying the favour and patronage of the
public. The main entrances are on Main street. but
there is also private entrance 18th street. from
which flight of steps leads directly to the genemen's
ordinary There abouton hundred and twenty rooms
in the house, which have been fitted up solely with re-
gard to the comfort and convenience Of the occupants
and the passages which lead to them are broad and
well lightedthus contrasting most advantaSeousy with
many of the Crack hotels in the Northern cities, where
the frequently remind Of cells in prison
house and the passages appear cramped and confined
The single bed rooms, bed rooms for single gentle
men, arranged with the view of gratifying the taste
of the bachelor world and for such of them desire to
mend their condition for the married man. choice
modations afforded in pleasantly located suites Of
apartments. The Ladies' Parlor is superb apartments
furnished and ornamented in the abandonment manner
adjoining IS the Ladies' Dining Saloon, which for ele'
gance taste and comfort cannot be surpassed In the
urniture and decorations of these apartments, MI
Smith has exercised the highest order OF tuste and Judg
ment.
The Gentlemsns Ordinary is spacious, airy and well
lighted Three tables afford ample accommodations fer
100 gentlemen.
Attached to the hotel is likewise spacious hall-a
Reading Roon-where newspapers from all quarters OF
the Union may be In the basement entrance
18th street., is handsome barroom, and Immediately
adjoining is dressing and bathing saloon.
The whole interior arrangements the hotel ad
mrable and there is air of neatness and quIetude
perceptible which bespeaks forcibly than words
the excellent order maintained throughout the whole
Establishment
H wing thus briefly and mperiectly glanced at the
spp ,intments of the hotel we to what the
Ep cure wonld denomnate the most important depart
IN .nt-to wit The Table de HIT. Simply to say that
the fare the American excellentnay, not to be
exceed-would be only justice not to Mr. Smith
alone, but also to his Cuisiner, whom take to be
quite artistic. i'll his line. Having tested his skill,
eefee to say that his superior cannot be found in the
Union. All the delicaces afforded by excellent
markets daily provided at the American and the
Epicure may always obtain there not only the substan
tals but also the rarities of each revolving
Mr.. j. MILDERBERGER SMITH, the lessee) his
name imports is descendant of the Knckerbockers of
New York He possesses all those generous qualities
glowngly ascribed by Washington Irving to his
cestors without particle of admixture Of those
centrices, which are happily rdiculed. He is, in
truth the "prince Of goo fellows andis wtha aposaed
gentleman who possesses the qualification OF
rendering every body around him happy and content
ed Though not to the "manor BORN" he has yet
joyed much experience in the calling he pursues.
We wish him unbounded success, and feel quite sure
he will achieve it, because he intends doing all that
to deserue it.
Connected with the hotel is old acquaintance Mr.
I'D WEBSTER, this cily gentleman well known to
the travelling community, and who formerly con-
nected with one of the principal hotels in Baltimore
He is admirably adapted for the post he fills, and
one knows better than he how render the soourners
at the American comfortable,