Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-02-01
Inns and Enl6eeperS.

Il is a curious habit which calls taOSe VINO
con ot hotels guests. When we consider that
Irv are compelled to pay for their entertain
nent the name seems very inappropriate.
Exchange.
This is not only hypercritiCism, but false
criticism. lt proceeds on total mlsappre-
6enson of the meaning OF guest-whlch slgnl-
ies simply one fed or lcasted, supplied with
;ood and lodging, whether Tor pay or gratult'
ousv. 1t is the correlati7o to host, which
NAV be either an inn-keeper, or an entertainer
Without charge. So the habit of lalling those
who stop at hotels guests, instead OF being GU
gious, in the sense of inaccurate, is wholly
correct, for the habit has existed ever since
ihe two things existed, and IS justified by the
original signiication of the words.
But, speaking OF guests and lnn-keepers re,
minds us of the VicisSitudes through which
,hese last have passed. In one sense, they
are types of the varied phases of society, and
mark with great exactitude the progress OF
refinement and civilization. Whether they
create or reflect the civilization, is not certain
nor is it material They are ever found ad-
Vaucng pari pdSSu with it, at least IN modern
times They are purely European lnstltu-
ton, for though found in Asia, they are there
exotics and very poor representatives OF the
original stock. They existed In Greece and
Rome, and were there fair samples OF the I'M
perfect social and sensuous rehnements or
those people. With the emergence OF modern
Europe from the darkness OF the middle ages,
they assumed the position they have since
maintained, as bon UiUdRtS themselves and
ministers to and eucouragers of all good living.
The familiar appellation by which they were
known in most modern languages (BOR9ace,) }
ienotes the popular sense OF their jolly natures
and the free and easy terms on which they
lived with everybody. They were ever ready
;or anything-either to turn penny or tor the
fun of the thing. Modern French, English aud
Spanish literature abOunds with instances OF
heir sharp practices, their adrolt devices and
;nexhaustible resources. Though general favor
ties, they have been more kicked and cutted
and villipended than any other class. Ever
since Horace took that pleasant Jaunt to Brun-
asium with the dear MGcenas, and had so
much hugging and kissing with Varlus and
Virgil, it has been the fashion with travellers
10 Yillify the mdltgaiS cdupOnl6uS-the d
tavern keepers. Why is thisT Is there an
innate antagOniSm between the paying guests
and the paid host ? And docs that antagonlsm
spring from the deep and lneradlcable hate IN
every human heart to the payment OF bills Z
The eager, earnest and intense cordlallty with
which guest is greeted at his arrival, would
seem to merit a better return on his departure.
But the one and the other may be explained
and excused by the line:
Welcome the coming-speed the parting
guest
But the introduction OF railroads has wrought
wonderful revolution in the condition and
fortune, social and financial, OF the Bonitacial
tribe. Nearly all the country inns have dlsap-
peared at the approach of the iron horse. In
no country has this effect been so widespread
and disastrous as in England, for in no other
land were there so many snug country inns,
stocked with everything that could minister to
the enjoyment OF man and beast. With Jolly
and hearty landlord, an ever-attentive landlady,
the neatest and sweetest rooms fragrant OF
lavender and roses-servants that anticipated
all your wants-a Solourn ut one OF these re
treats supplied perpetual feast OF nectared
sweets, and enabled one to appreciate the famous
lines of ShenStOne
Who'er has travel'd lilc's dull round,
Where or his stages may have been,
May sigh to think he still has found
The warmeSt welcome at an Inn.
But while the rural inns have vanished, from
the scene, their arlSocratic rivals of the cities
have quadrupled their proportions and conse-
quence. They may now be Justly considered Il
nth estate IN every civilized realm. Along
with their financial fortunes, their social status
has been elevated. Ever since Stetson, OF the
AstOr House, hob uobbed with Daniel W ebstor,
the whole race have been ennObled and truth
to say, we know no people more worthy, OF
their patents of nobility. When we conslde
the vast amount of genius, OF taste, OF industry
and of capital, which they devote to the cfea-
ture-comiorts Of mankind, mankind would IN
deed be marvels OF ingratitude If they did not
lit up their voices in ceaseless praise OF then
noble benefactors.
The methods of ordering Inns in this coun-
try and Europe are very different, aud differ
entin different countries of Europe. The French
style is the prevailing one on the Continent;
There the guest contracts for his lodgings, and
only pays for the meat and drink he may order
ln every welLappointed hotel there Is tool,
dhOte, of which guests may partake at fixed
Price. In England the same system prevails,
with the exception of the table q hote, though
That is now being introduced, OF the continen