THE EASE OF AN INN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 39, 26 September 1891, Page 415

THE EASE OF AN INN.

Let there be ever so great ease, plenty of good things, ever so much grandeur, ever so much elegance, ever so much desire that everyone should be easy in a private house, in the nature of things it cannot be. There must always be some degree of care and anxiety. The master of the house is anxious to entertain his guests, the guests are anxious to be agreeable to him ; and no man, but a very impudent dog indeed, can as freely command what is in another man’s house, as if it were his own. Whereas, at a tavern there is a general freedom from anxiety. You are sure you are welcome ; and the more noise you make, the more trouble you give, the more good things you call for, the welcomer you are. No servants will attend you with the alacrity which waiters do, who are incited by the prospect of an immediate reward in proportion as they please. No, sir, there is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn.—Dr. Johnson.