The Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder. — 1886-01-23 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

NATTY COFFEE TAVERN.  OM " 11AXBIXI.." )  '[ The marvellous improvement,which during the the last few years, has taken place in the exterior adornment and internal decoration of placer; of public resort, ie one of the features of the present I age. Public hoarse bars have been converted from the sombre substantial apartments, k-uown to our forefathers, into gay and glittering ssloonr ; and coffee taverns, from the staid old fashioned houses of half • century ago, into homer of beauty in • doable sense. The interiors are made as comfortable and elegant as skill and tests can make thorn, and its the selection of waitresses personal charms count for something. When it was known that our enterprising townsman, Mr. Dan Davies, wee about converting a chemist shop into a coffee tavern, some shook their heads and hinted that there were too many coffee " palsore " in existence already. But, with the true instinct of enterprise, Mr. Davies carried out his &karat:kale, and duly opened the place for business, chosing as a partner Mr. Jones, • person who had acquired considerable experience as a coffee tavern manager. From the first the venture luta proved a emcees, sad it is at present one of the best frequented taverns, especially on market days, in the whole of South Wales. Latterly, just before Christiana in fact, the place underwent a complete renovation, and through the decorative alull of Messrs Marquins Bros., who may be said to stand at the head of the decorative art of South Wales, the interior now presents an appearance which both lieliglits the eye and satistlea the most fastidious taste. The first apartment, which contains the bar, is nicely fitted with inviting looking marble tables, and the bar is arranged with all the improvements which recent coffee fever,' science can Bugged; Close by the bar is a easy little "wash place, where everything is the shape of dishes, plates, eta., can be cleansed almost as soon as they are used. Adjoining this is the manager's office, "not too large but just large enough," and behind the apartment, a ladies' room, an exceedingly cosy snuggery, nicely cushioned out and decorated, pictures adorning both the walls of this and the adjoining room. Attached to the ladies' &pertinent are the usual sanitary offices, which are approached by a door and passage. These are extremely bandy and oommendably private. Leading from !mar the bowie a stairs which takes you to • oomfortalle and somewhat, elegant dining-room, from the window of which —a bay—the diner may command • view of almost the entire length of Oxford street, and overlook the market. This ream is eashioried out all round, and the furniture and everything! In it are arranged to match. Behind this in the manager's private room, and on 1111 adjoining landing, another set of sanitary Aloes; a paean through • door, the viator finds himself on an improvised yard erected over • portion of the downstairs bar an diriing-rocen, which is lit by • reined skylight in the floor of the Ono - covered yard. This place, with the addition of a few flowers and evergreens would :make • capital waoking bower and commands • good view of Town Hill: Admission may be obtained to the upstairs dining .room, by means of • private passage from Oxford-street, which also runs through the entire length of the building late, fairly am =odious yard behind, which also contains sanitary offices. The sanitation of the house is indeed most complete freak top to bottom. Net the least interesng part of the premises is the culinary department which is beneath the bar. It is approached by • stairs bat all articles required are whisked up from below by means of • lift. The cooking arrangeotenta are of the most modern kind, and adjoining • large wage are boilers for cooking hams, etc., which are required for holiday preparaticos. Adjoining the kitchen are specious store rooms and also a well stocked ohms oleset, every article in which as well as the Judea& forks, and spoons, being marked with the name of the proprietors. This marking was found w"e in order to check the immense shrinkagew.sa used to take place in the moveable articles on Saturdays. The whole of the down stairs premises are capitally ventilated and lighted by means of a patent glees floor, which condenses the light from the room above and transmits it below. It only remain, to add that the main room, and the ladies' apartment!, contain some tasteful stencil work and gilding_ by the Brothers Marquis' s. The manager, Mr. .191tes, is most courteous, his wife an secompliehed cook, and the waitresses smart and obliging. It is altogether a really natty little coffee tavern, and is a credit to its proprietors, and a great convenience to the public.  The magistratee at Penarth treated with exemplary seventy the man who was brought before them, on Monday, charged with osuelty to a home. lire. Laws- noe, Middleton Hall, Carmarthen, has allowed a reduction of 121 per cent, on her 1 last rental. It need not be stated that her tenants are sincerely grateful to their considerate landlady for her generosity. At the Llanrumney rent audit on Saturday It I was announced that Hr. Charles Croft.' Williams had, in consequence of the agricultural 'ldepression, decided to reduce the rent of his tenants 10 per oent. I Mr. Gladstone has sent a letter expressing his corns appreciation of the strenuous efforts put forth by the Liberals of South Wales at the general election, and her satisfaction at their brilliant success.  About half -past nine o'clock on Monday evening, Mr. James Board, of Sheepley's Farm, near Cowbridge, on entering one of his sheds, die, overed alai a farm labourer, named Daniel Howell, had committed suicide by hanging. -- - •  The inquest upon the victims in the kardi explosion termi‘ atedonTuesday, the jury returning an open verdict as to the cause of the ex- 1 plonon. The following important reoommendstions were appended ;_Firstly, that efficient means be taken to allay, and then remove, the coal dust from mines generating explosive gases; seoondly, that boys attending the Elementary lehools of a colliery district be instructed in the rides of the collier, or toiletries near which the solionl in a:tasied.