In London, for gentlemen only, there are
three or four public dinners at a moderate figure. When will some of our
bell-wethers of fashion, to whom economy is of more consequence than even the
middle classes, set the example at Leamington, Tunbridge Wells, Buxton, and
Cheltenham, of dining with their wives and daughters at the public table? How
long are we to be slaves of salt soup, fried soles, and fiery sherry?
The decayed watering places, ruined by the competition of the continent,
should try the experiment of commercial prices, as an invitation to idlers
and half-invalids to stay at home.
Another great help to our watering places and farmers, would be the repeal of
the post-horse tax. It brings in a mere trifle. The repeal would be an
immense boon to places where the chief attraction depends on rides and
drives. It would largely increase the number of horses and vehicles for
hire, and be a real aid to the distressed agricultural interest, by the
increased demand it would make for corn, hay, and straw. Besides, near a
small place like Matlock, or Ilfracombe, in Devonshire, farmers would work
horses through the winter, and hire them out in summer.
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