Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-08-18
FIRST CLASS HOTELS.

Without having that snowy external sp-
pearance or the sumptuous interior ar
rangements of many American hotels, are,
nevertheless, more comfortable in many
respects. Especially is this the case with
the table and the service. Perfection is
sought in cooking and to make dinner as
attractive as subservient to good diges-
tion-and not a mere feeding, only to satisfy
the needs of nature" Table d'Hotes" are
in fashion. These table d'hotes have
something sociable and even festive in their
nature, which certainly provokes good hu-
NOR and drives away care. Punctually at
certain hour the guests assemble at cem-
mon table, family fashion, and either the
host or favorite boarder presides. This
persons chief aim is to enliven and stimu.
late general conversation, in which most
of the guests take part, thus making time
between dishes pass away pleasantly.
Those accustomed to
TABLE D'HoTE LIPE
Can best appreciate the enjoyments of such
dinners, where ease, polite attention and
an agreeable conversation prevail instead
of rapidly devouring ones food in silence
and alone, merely to quiet the cravings of
hunger. 1t requires little knowledge of
hygiene to understand the different effect
upon digestion the latter mode of eating
must have. Dishes are brought in sepa-
rately. that is, large plates, containing a
dish sufficient for number of persons, are
passed round from guest to.guest by the
walters. A guest partskes of dish or re-
fuses, and waits until new one comes
round. He may have to wait somewhat,
but the animated conversation which is
carried on makes him overlook this ineon-
venience. In Germany, and, in fact all
over Europe, the American maxim, Time
Is money" is not so much adhered to, and
THERE Is NO FEvERIsH HASTE
To acquire that "desirable" material at
the expense of personal enjoyment. The
common saying that we eat to live"
might as justly be inverted, for, after all,
what is our striving after riches for? To
enjoy life. It is very well TO descant upon
the higher aspirations and destiny of man.
but the attainment of these same objects
is certainly not promoted by an unsatisfed,
rebellious and dyspeptic stomach. Tray
elers, not accustomed to continental life in
Europe, generally complain of the extra
charges in most hotels and consider them
extortionste, which, in manner, is true.
Thus, for instance, looking over your bill
you are astonished to iud an item for
light, another for fire and still another for
services, and when, after having settled and
HEAvING A SIGH OF RELIEF,
You depart, trail Of walters, from the
head-waiter down to the porter, accompany
You with many bows to the door, and
each of them expects parting donation.
Should you fail TO distribute any gratiica-
ton you are considered an i'll. hammered
rustic. The serviceable spirits in Ger.
many claim their " trinkgeld" as obsti-
nately as their French colleagues then
"pourboire." This is an old and deep
rooted custom and certainly rsprehensi-
BILE; but the expectation of this very
trinkgeld procures to the traveller great at
tention during his stay. Ae a rule, prompt
attention and poiteness may be expected
in most hotels on the continent, and what
is said about charging for fire and light re-
fers only to the room occupied.