Albert Edward. The English Hotel Nuisance.

by SMITH

£220 · Offered by Henry Sotheran Ltd · No longer available

SMITH, Albert Edward. The English Hotel Nuisance. London, David Bryce. 1855 [ wrapper dated 1856]. 8vo. Original lithographic wrappers; pp. 28, [4, publisher's catalogue], large folding table at the end; wrappers a little dusted and with a few marginal flaws to lower cover, a few marginal tears to final advertisements, occasional light spotting internally, otherwise good. Scarce first edition , wrappers with later issue and stating "Third Edition", of a spirited criticism of the state of English hotels and inns, written by the mountaineer, founding member of the Alpine Club, writer, and entertainer Albert Richard Smith (1816-1860). In this pamphlet, issued a couple of times up to 1858 he complains about the state of the hospitality industry in England, in stark contrast to the higher standards on the Continent, which he enjoyed on his journey to and from the Mont Blanc region. In this entertaining and personal diatribe he demands more variety of dishes on offer, better organized bedrooms with more space and furniture than just for sleeping, the abolition of candle light and introduction of gas light, coffee being not only offered as "equipage" (portion), but as single demi-tasse, better service in general and an office for information and complaints. The table at the end is an important document for the historian of gastronomy and wine. It is the enormous wine list of hotel Drei Mohren in Augsburg, which had hosted Mozart, Casanova, Goethe, and several European rulers, includ

• Binding: Hardcover

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