The Portland daily press., 1871-10-31


The TRIUMpHs OF Co, o,oPERArIcN.-One of
ahe special social features OF London are the
palaces OF Pail Mall and ST. james street.
Every year adds to the number OF magnlfi-
cent structures which line these celebrated
streets, aud of late indeed, their limits have
been found insufficient: and ''club leads" are
extending westward, and now occupies the
best site in Piccadily
Doubtless many of our readers, when visit
ing London, have accompanied an English
friend over one of these houses. Entering
lofty hail. one passes into a spacious dining
room where almost every known Wand or wine
can be procured in the briefest possible tme.-
Thence ascending the broad staircase, carpeted
with the fiuest aud heaviest tapestry, the visi-
t r finds the drawipg-rooms, smoking-roOms,
billiard-rooms, dressiDg-rooms, bath. rooms,
and a valuable library of modern literature
In fact, there are accommodations for the
members which could not be purchased by any
individual with less expenditure than $780,
600 year.
Ask an habitGe of the institution as to the
position of young fellow who may be pass
ing, and you will hear that he is young Brief
less, of the Inner Temple, who has just been
called to the bar, and who lives on an alew-
ance OF $1,000 year. At this moment, per-
baps, he is deep i'll the perusal of law books,
which are to be found in the club library, but
which he could not afford to buy. In halt an
hour he will go down to luncheon in the mag
nifcent dining-room. His luncheon will be
spread for him near window. and overlooking
the garden; an admirably attentive domestic
will anticipate his every want, and his food
will be as excellent as if he was the Duke of
Sutherland with his $1000.000 a year. The
whole cost of his meal will be for mutton-c chop
dome to a turn" and cut from the primest
"Southdown, fifteen cents; with bread, but
ter, cheese and beer unlimited, fifteen cents
more; while the use of the palace and the ser
wants cost him only $50 year.
All this is simply the triumphs of co-opera-
ti0n. Why do not we enjoy more of these ad-
tiuue paying immense prices for Indifferent
articles, when the remedy lies so readily at
hand? We have frequently referred to the pre-
posterOus extortion practlSed upon household
ers by the purveyors of food, but what are
these to the extortlons practised upon those
wretched beings condemned to live at restau u.
rants? AT the chief establishments of this
kind the prices now maintained are pretty
nearly those which were demanded five years
ago. For example, although the price of gold
has now for more than year ranged from ten
to twelve per cent. premium, occasionally fol
brief time advancing one or two per cent.
the charges made at what are called 'frst.
class" restaurants have not receded. A small
bottle of English beer still costs fifty cents the
and the charge in the dearest hotels there, ff
teen cents. Tea or coffee cannot be procured
under twenty-five or thirty cents, and glass
OF lemonade, requiring half lemon, is obtain
| ed for twenty cents.
The only way to force down these charges i!
| by the cooperative plan; and we earnestly ad
wise our younger citizens especially to take the
subject into consideration during the coming
winter.-N Y EUentag Post.