Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1874-10-01
The " HOlly.Tree inns"

DHETHING CONCERNING THE ORIGINAL oEKs
KsrABLlsHED by MRS J. T. FIELDS, IN BOSTON
DETAILS, HINrs, AND SUGGESTIONS.
Two years ago, when the proposition to estab-
Lis in this city, cofee-houso, after the style Of
the Holly-Tree Inns Of Boston, was being
considered, Mrs. James T. Fields, of that city,
she being one Of the pioneers in the work,
there,) was spilled to for information, and, in
reply, two interesting letters from her we're for
warded to one Of our citizens, mr. Geo. W.
Stone.) At this moment, when the subject il
again being considered, we print their substan-
tial portions, thinking it may aid In more clearly
comprehending what may be and ought to be
done.
MRS. FIELDS FIRST LErTEn-rHE GENERAL IDEA
OF THE ENTERPRISE.
Mr.. F. B. Perkins Of the "Old and New
writes me OF your interest in the Holly Tree
Coffee Rooms, and your desire to try one In Del
aware. Nothing gives me greater satisfaction
than the power OF assisting in these establish
ings, but it il difficult to judge Of the details Of
arrangement for distant cities where the life il
somewhat different from ours and the needs
different. The first step, OF course, is to secure
. shop in the worst locality for everything except
drinking. The place should be made to shine
with neatness and clean paint, (and am always
inclined to use the gayest colors can lindsay
red aud white and black, these being effectivc,)
that the novelty Of cleanliness may attract and
cause wonder Of itself. The next step and the
most important Ia to find man and woman to
keep such . place-the man to purchase, to be
the police, keep accounts, and carry on the bust
place clean II there DO children old enough to
wait on the tables, all the better. This
Is the most economical plan and
in many respects the best Then
the little income is divided in the family as soon
as there is any to divide, instead Of being paid
k,. .-.sa a. zkn.1 ~
course it is highly necessary to find people Of
high moral character who are pleased with tile
idea, 10 say the least, otherwise liquor under
various subterfuges might be sold.
The third step would be to fit up and furnish
the establishment, taking the imam and woman
the business is to be theirs. OF the money 20 be
put into such shop before it il In running Or
der it is impossible for me to write even after
80 large an experience, each one differing from
the last.
or course for the first year under the most IA
vorable circumstances it would be out of the
question to expect to pay much rent out Of the
receipts. In one case friend paid the whole
rent, 5000, for the first year, in another, half
the rent, lthe rate being lower)
In addition to the rent, money il required to
buy stove, utensils and in short, to prepare for
business. These expenses once betrayed, il the
people who undertake the business are steady,
interested, and haze any ability, it has been my
experience, thus far, that they succeed well, and
give IN honest income.
ANOTHER LETTER FROM MRS. FIELDs-sINILAR
WORK IN OTHER CITIES.
In another letter, about the same time, Mrs.
Fields gave some further details on the subject.
She referred to the establishment Of similar
Coffee Houses in Hartford, and Chicago, and
then added:
SIN one Of Chambers Journals For The Peo-
pie, have heard there was an excellent history
Of this work, as carried forward in Glasgow.
Mr.. Dickens, also, in the "Uncommercial Trav-
eller" papers, has picture OF such All estab-
lishment in London. The article IL called "The
Boiled Beef Of Old England" and although
never read the paper, oddly enough, until our
Holly Tree Inn had been long In running order,
found the description he gave fitted just such
establishments 90 he'd In NY n,iud'B eye, ana
such as we ought to see many Of, in our Ameri-
can cities. This account il 80 minute that it
would be Of great use to any one about to start
"Holly Tree"
THE BILL OF FARE.
II wish could find Chicago bill Of fare to
send you. thought Ut excellent, but have
given all my copies away. The idea il to have
as few articles Of food as possible, in order to
simplify the work. The programme runs usual
ly much as follows
Tea. 8 cts Baked beans. ..... 8 cts
Coffee. ......... 8 I" Pies per cut...... 8
Bread and butter 8 " Gold roast beef. 10
Chowder with Potatoes. .........
bread. ...... 10 Soups. ............
Ham. .........10 I" Cornsd beef :, IS or II"
And few other articles, say three or fsur, may
be added, such as are particularly desired. We
intend all these things shall be the best Of their
kind"