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. A broad flight of steps
leads up to two DOORS by which admit
tance is gained to the central hall. The
women enter by a special door, a wise
precaution at present, for the crush al
the main entrance would be a far from
pleasant preliminary to the three
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
A I'D. 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 trifiing sum of I'D.
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 were 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 were most easily classified by their
headwear. 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, newshoys
and a few small business men. Many had
come out of curiosity.
Upstairs a similar sight was to be seen,
The diners there. however. were mostly
women, with fair sprinkling OF men
who preferred to dine la carte meal
on this floor works out at a somewhat
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 I'D. The portion 1t
large and quality excellent. Whether the
Prince did actually consume the whole OF
a three course dinner or merely tasted it
rVa1nH anrH1d hlT-G
eaten it 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 1900
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 Shutdown 10 meals
reached a total of 5000. To serve this
great multitude about hundred people
are employed, and they are kept busy
from morning until night. The dining halls
open at o'clock In the morning, when
breakfast can be had by the economical at
a penny for which a mug of tea and
bowl OF porridge are provided, and by the
recklessly extravagant for 1-2 pence. For
that sum a large cup of tea, bowl Of por-
ridge with milk. and 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 a button and the
steaming dinners glide noiselessly down 10
The busy hands ready to serve them out to
the waiting people below. The kitchen lie
splendidly equipped in every respect Food