The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-22

taurant resembles a palatial mansion,
rather than a cheap dining-room. Its
white stone walls have not yet had time to
assume the modest grey Of the majority of
London buildings broad fight Of steps
leads up to two doors. by which admit
lance is gained to the central hall. The
women enter by a special door a wise
preeaution at present, for the crush az
the main entrance would be a far from
pleasant preliminary to the three course
dinner. The hall is wide and spacious.
and from either side doors open into the
huge dining-room capable Of seating 500
hungry people. 1t is decorated with
palms and plants.
On entering. both men and women obtain
checks for the amount they are willing
to spend on their midday meal. The
4l-2d. dinners were by far the most pop
ular. and the dining hall was crowded.
The brass checks are presented TO the
Mattresses, who in white cap and apron.
serve the meals over a huge counter In
the middle Of the diningroom. Each per
son gets his own dinner, which is served
on a little tray. and consists Of three
courses. Every day three different din
ners are prepared and any one OF them
can be had for the triffing sum OF 12d
And an excellent dinner it is-the best of
food well cooked and well served. Here
is the menu OF the I'D. dinner for one
day:
Soup: plate Of Irish stew; plate Of roast
pork or large steak pudding, two vegeta-
bles; pastry, mug Of tea. coffee or cocoa.
Men we're crowded three or four deep in
front Of the counter waiting their turn. As
soon as the little tray had been securely
grasped they at once made their way to the
tables with which the room was filled, and
lost no time in despatching their meal.
Each table holds about ten people, and
each is provided with salt and pepper in
casters. All sorts and conditions of peo-
pie were represented among the diners
They we're most easily classified by their
beadwear. Caps. bowlers. and felt hats
were there in almost equal proportions,
and even saw several silk hats in the
midst OF the hungry crowd. There were
factory hands laborers, clerks, newsboys
and a few small business men. Many mad
come out Of curiosity.
Upstairs a similar sight was to be seen.
The diners there, however. we're mostly
women. with a fair sprinking Of men
who preferred to dine a la carte A me al
on IIlS UDOI WI No buL NJ Il oNllAN " nat
higher figure than three-course dinner
But the list to select from is very varied,
and almost as long as that Of an Amer
lean hotel The dearest item is a pork
chop at 4d.. and the cheapest the pud-
dings costing I'D. each. Plates OF beef
mutton. pork. or stew can all be had for
the modest sum Of 12d. The portion is
large and quality excellent. Whether the
Prince did actually consume the whole Of
a three-course dinner or merely tasted II
I do not know He certainly could have
eaten il without any gastronomic COM
junction.
The floor above will shortly be turned
into a dining-room. but at the present mo-
ment is not quite completed. Each OF the
three rooms will seat 500, so that l,oOO
people can be accommodated at one time.
There is little doubt that the whole of this
space will be required, as the other day the
number Of people who sat-doWn 10 meals
reached a total OF 5000. To serve this
great multitude about a hundred people
are employed, and they are kept busy
from morning until night, The dining halls
open at S o'clock In the morning, when
| breakfast can be had by the economical at
! a penny for which a mug of tea and a
| bowl OF porrdge are provided, and by the
| recklegsly eXtravagant for - pence. For
! that sum a large cup Of tea, bowl Of por-
! ridge with milk. and a plate Of Irish stew
! can be enjoyed. Tea is ready by o'clock,
! and a hearty meal can be had for few
| half-pence. The doors are closed at about
! S in the evening.
/ The kitchen is situated at the very top
| OF the building. II is connected with all
| the floors and the basement by service
/ lifts worked by electric power. All that
! is necessary is to touch button and the
steaming dinners glide noiselessly down TO
The busy hands ready 10 serve them out to
the waiting people below. The kitchen is
splendldly equipped in every respect Food