Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-12-22
The omnInotsnt nhilIinr.


The charge Of service in European
hotels was originally made to prevent
servants from importuning travellers; in
other words, to deprive them of any ex.
cuse for begging for fees alter the regu-
lar bill had been paid. To certain ex-
tent this has been effective on the Conti-
nent, though it is wholly imperative in
Britain. ID England, especially, SER
wants expect fees, and ask for them with
their whole expression, quite as much as
before service was q regular charge. If
questioned, they say-no doubt truly
that they do not get the service, and by
a queer logic reason that, because the
inn-keeper deceiyes or imposes upon his
patrons, the patrons should in turn be
imposed upon by his servants. Nearly
all Euglishmen pay the, proprietor for
service, and pay it over again to the SER
wants. They declare it licensed extor-
ton; but then everybody does it, you
know, and they hate to be odd-another
way Of saying they fear to be thought
mean. They have fully as great timidity
on this subject as we financially sensitive
Americans ourselves. In London and
other large English cities service has
crept into the restaurants. AT break
fast, or luncheon, or dinner, you pay six
pence for service in the bill, and six.
pence-frequently q shilliug-to the
waiter who brings you the bill
In the United States we think the obi.
CATION, if any, is on the side Of the per
son receiving money. The English seem
TO think the obligation rests with him
who pays. Thousands Of gratuities are
given every day in England for no better
reason than because the English fnd
somebody kind enough to take their shil
lings. They often tip a Aunkey who has
done absolutely nothing; whom, indeed
they have not seen until he condescendI
10 accept their cash. Not unfrsquently
they pay service three times-I confess
my own guilt in this-by giving it at the
inn where they may not take their meali
(seFyice is always charged without any
references 10 its rendering; by giving il
to the restaurant where they eat; and BY
eiying it TO the waiter who has served
them. The nuisance is growing so rap
idly that the time may not be distant
when all respectable persons will be ex
pected to pay six times for one service
Marvellous Is the potency Of a shilling,
or it's multiplication, everywhere in
England. You mead have no apprehen-
sion Of offending any Briton by the pre-
sentation Of silver. Some may not take
silver; but they will take gold, and, il
not gold, they must be pervious to bank
notes. Occasionally you may blunderi
as an American is reputed to have done
when the wife of his Oxford friend
kissed him on his departure for the Con.
tinent, aud he awarded her with q gilt
tering sovereign. This, however, lacks
confirmation.
People in the street, policemen at the
corners, ushers at the theaters, trades
meu. cpstodians Of all sorts, subordi-
mates, and superintendents - men
women and children = scan youl
face for shilling, and are IN
easy until they clutch it. The britigt
are a sterling people in more than ont
sense. They may not care for theli
pound Of flesh; but they insist on The
pound that is composed Of twenty shil
'lings Of silver.
The English policeman is generally
obliging, but how much OF hie obliglng
ness is due TO his scent Of remuneration
it is aeedless TO inquire. He rarely
asks in words for money, hut he vii
receive it with amazing alacrity. He II
always prepared to take anything, from
a siKpence to- a sovereign, even so many
times duplicated. Entrance to mort
than half the places in London, where
an order is supposed to be Indispensable
for admission, can easily be had by tip
ming bobby" To the House of Peers
i;>. example, where nothing less than az
autoqrsuh Of one of the lords, spiritus
or Temporal, 10 said to secure ingress
half a crown to a policeman has been fol
years the regulated price. gbe same Oh
less serve for closed palaces hlst9Fi'
houses, art galleries, or curious collec
tions. When iD England, never be in
Inundated by shut doors aud Harinl
notices Of inaccessibleness. Seek Q po
liceman and produce your shilling
These will prove your "open sesame.
II you see vast crowd before you any
where, and you fancy you are not goinl
10 get in, appes.. 10 . policeman with
silver and atraipbtway YOU will haVl