National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-08-08
Americans Abroad.

A writer from London to the Toledo
Biade remarks that many Americans
desiring to show their disregard foi
money, have been doing il 80 long and
so extensively that they make it incon,
venient for those of limited purses to
get along decently. All over the Con
tinent they have spoiled the servants
and the hotel keepers. and caused prices
TO be advanced about fifty per cent. on
all their countrymen. A hotel keeper
looks upon an American as treasure
chest, out of which he is ut liberty to
extract as much money as possible, and
he is not backward III making the at.
tempt. And when IN American en-
deavors to travel economically he is
subject to variety of sights and an
noyances, and will occasionally be told
that he does not behave ms Literally MS
his respective countrymen. London
used 10 be better in this respect than
Paris or Rome, but it is now quite Ms
bad. The hotels and lodging houses
put on all sorts of "extras" and out
rageous charges, and frequently the
managers do not hesitate to lie unbllsh-
ingly in order to eXtort money from
their patrons. | am quartered at a re-
spectacle hotel, overlooking Covent
Garden it was recommended to me as
n comfortable house, and one where the
charges would be just and correct. !
called for my bill, and told them pre-
ferred to pay weekly; they endeavored
to induce me to let 1T stand until l was
ready to go away, but | insisted, and
the bill was brought. There were extra
charges for things which knew never
had, and they had put on an extra shil-
ling for each mornings breakfast, after
telling me that l could order anything
on the bill of FIRE. They charge three
pence IA day for stationery, and make
every man pay for it whether he writes
n letter or not. protested, but it was
no use. 1t was their custom, they said,
to charge three pence day for sta
tonery, and man might use MS much
AS he wished. Up to that time l had
not used sheet of their paper, but
henceforth they cannot complain that
neglected it. l find it makes good cigar
lights, and when go away from here it
will fill up the loose cornersof my trunk
very neatly. If they make anything out
of me on the stationery swindle they
must be wider awake than think they
are. paid their bill under protest and
remained.
Why didn't you go away? somebody
will ask What is the use in moving
| have had row with them, and though
/ couldn't get that bill reduced l CON
WINGED them that they would not make
much by trying it on again. | gave
warning that / would not pay for an
other extra" and have been careful to
have none for which any charge could
be made. If / went to another hotel l
should have the row to go through over
again. They are all alike in this re-
sDect and will cheat without compunc-
ton of conscience L am in the position
of the railway superintendent who re-
fused to discharge conductor known
to be,dishonest, on the ground that the
man had already bought watch, dia-
mond pin, horse and other things out
of his stealings, while the new man to
take his place would be obliged to equip
himself in the same way. 1t is better
to bear the ills we have than fly to 9th
ers that may be worse, and are certain
to be Just as bad.