The Argosy — page 219: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

202 LETTERS FROM MAJORCA. By CHARLES W. Woop, F.R.G.S., AUTHOR oF ‘*‘ THROUGH HOLLAND,” ‘UNDER NORTHERN SKIES,” ETC., ETC. CT Windy, Palma, Nov. 13, 1886. ch My Y Dear E. — In =| ec my letter yester- day I remarked that there was no Narbonne station here to adminis- ter coffee in the smal} hours of the night. But neither in this Fonda de Mallorca (Fonda, you are aware, 1s Spanish for Hotel) nor in any other, is that often possible. The utmost you can make sure of during these ‘‘ sleeping hours,” is a night porter, heavy- eyed and slow of step, UWI!) who admits you, with a ial = rere | sort of resigned airwhich i i a A seems to follow you re- : eg proachfully as you wind your flight up to your room. ‘This last sounds, somehow, suspiciously like a jeu-de-mot ; an indiscretion of which I am incapable. But I cannot quite trace it out, and the phrase must go. Having started the subject, perhaps you would like a description of this Fonda de Mallorca, and of our daily life, as it has passed up to the present moment. Do not picture us as revelling in all the luxuries one has grown accustomed to in this fast expiring nineteenth century. It has come to this certain fact in travelling, that mere comfort is not enough. We must have refinement and luxury in the form of painted ceilings and gilded walls. and thickly carpeted floors. The cuisine must be perfect, the appointments without flaw. Palaces of a hundred years ago were not more gorgeous than the inns of to-day, whilst monarchs who swayed sceptres, whose smiles were promotion and whose frowns meant death, lived far more simply their daily lives. You will wisely observe that there is a quid-pro-quo in the matter, TT IP HPht L__|_ eee aay SNM mac ss | t] ore alt m hil} i\ \ i on fate A Te |i wen: J } ° toh 4h pow {= «, oS otetiae ‘ > 2 . ‘ = DS] ——— . ) iy rlivez: ] y (Sa 4 = — = Ste Br a ’ * tA ‘ \\ \ ‘ G oe Spel ~ 7 a 2 Vi \ = 355 = S i tr a te - \ . ee s e ' \\\ \AA\ eel oa Ft eae die — a " \ ena f peg . \ \\ ae 7 ~ y 4 Ad) - A \\ = j > ‘ ‘ {A OP Yo, Ante ATA _ aS ts . oe “4 | Ls ie \ ; Save 2 / | - AANA AN ~- . 4 iT ‘ \\\ Je gum ytt ] \ y = q ™ 7 ] . A ay = \ { , Ts 4, iy AY 4 4 - } J o, = ae ia Whi 3° iim Btas: ot PSs oe ahd tee B pies js caerateeel (SOT Mead ee Seve - x rare): 6) ¥ Dn — COPMIEDOOKS, EO)