Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-07-21
AnEagilshman on PHILADELPHIA.

The bold Britisher who is writing to the
London Times about Philadelphia and the
Exhibition, says of that city
The houses are, indeed, in such good taste
and style that, despite its distracting regu-
larity, the city must be considered anything
but plain. But it is like beauty with fine
complexion and regular features, but no e1-
preston. If ever there was place which
looked thoroughly self-satisfed and self
contained, the beatifc abode eta peculiar
people who neither had, nor wish to have.
anything to do with strangers and outer PHI
listines, it is Philadelphia.
But appearances are not always to be
trusted, and the City of Houses" happens
also to be stronghold of hospitality. The
natives thoroughly understand and appreciate
the graceful art of entertaining strangers,
and have made prodigious efforts to find
ample accommodation for the enormous
crowd whom they expect to sec this year at
their Exhibition. Not only have the old
hotels enlarged their borders, but, with an
enterprise genuinely American, several new
hotels - seven is, | believe, the exact
number-have been run up expressly for the
occasion. Their construction displays IN
some instances a no less American inge-
nuity.
Most Of the hotels are conducted on the
usual American system, by which you pay
50 much for your bed and board, no deduc-
ton being made for meals You do not take
at the hotel. In reranche, YOU may, | am
told have not myself yet tried the expert
ment-take a seat at any and every meal,
and as eating OF some sort Is going on nearly
all day, man cursed or blessed with an
appetite capable of rising to the occasion
would get considerably more that his mon
ev' worth. The food, after fashion some
what typical Of the country is given in such
vast prJtusion and variety that, in detail, 1t
occasionally wants finish. counted on one
bill Of fare over 40 dishes, exclusive Of sau-
ces, relisheS, and dessert, which made up
conformity almost as many more. Many OF
them are quite strange to the BritOn. such
as "little-neeked clans, boiled striped bass,
cold slaw "scrapple,' "hominy, ''skir-
red, OF they are old friends under new
tangled names lie screws up his courage
to tiy "pecans," and Is almost as much
hurt as surprised at being brought nothing
more novel than the common nut or, If As
Scltchman, has his patriotic susceptibilities
wounded by being gwen porridge under the
strange disguise Of Irish oatmeal mush.
heard a bewildered Englishman this
m0rning-a new comer-shock the walters,
who are all, to negro, c0lored Chester
fields, by declaring that in hIs country such
oranges were given TO pigs and then in
DESPERATION, he fell back upon eggs and wha
he called British breakfast tea. The
Americans, who know exactly what dishes are
TO their taste and can pick out of the mis-
cellsneous mass, get on better. Trey have
a singular habit OF ordering everything they
want, or ieei, at the beginning of the meal,
that they may possibly want before the end
of it. To be brought TO them at once, and 1t
Is a great sight TO watch a hungry man, com
pletely 5l0ckaded by dishes, steadily raising
the siege by eating his way through them.
some Of the hotels. however, are conducted
on what is called the European principle,
though really an improvement On 1t In
these You take a bedroom and pay separate
IL for every thing YOU order, though without
being bound to order anything They were
only wanted for SIX months, and Yet during
that time were bound to furnish unusually
extensive accommodation. 1t was obviously
a difficult matter 10 do this without incur
ring create outlay than so short period
would repay. The problem was solved by
taking rows of houses or cottages, which will
have u permanent value, and connecting
them temporarily by central or cross erea-
tions Of light and comparatively inexpensive
construction, 50 that they altogether form
one huge establishment When the Exhibi-
tion is over the temporary buildings can be
removed without any injury TO the perma-
nent portions. One of these novel establish
ments is said to be capable of holding nearly O.,
600 people, who in return for low charges, will
put up with close packing. Seasoned excur-
-ioni-ls who are not too proud 10 sleep three
in a room, each having his own bed, can gel
-"fuer, bed and breakfast for less than los,
Vesy .-----l4s~t- ~harze WHOM \ IA eriean
price. are considered. Those who want
room to themselves viii naturally have 10
pay more. though very little If anything
more than they would have TO pay any or
dinary season IN America. The Philadel phla
hotel-keepers have, to their credit, resolved
not to take advantage Of the Exhibition, as
was done at some other exhibitions.
notably that Of Vienna, and SO ia-
they have honoTabiy adhere to their
resolution. At the largest and best-known
hotel in the city fairly good bedroom
with entire board-so far as solids go-may
be had fol ab-at los. Gay