In rough
weather too, the spray of the sea, with heavy rain, carries much sand,
which it deposits on the fronts of houses, as may be seen upon the
return of moderate weather: this effect may be witnessed on the splendid
terraces of the Brighton cliffs, and its destructive working on their
plaster fronts is very evident.
* * * * *
INNKEEPERS.
The inn-keeper of former times seems to have been a person of less
humble station than now--he shared his calling with the monastery and
with the village-pastor. Travellers had to choose (as they still have in
Roman Catholic countries) between the refectory of the monk, the
parsonage of the minister, and the tavern of mine host--payment for the
night's lodging, where he was in a condition to pay, being expected of
him, in one shape or other, at all. The keeper of the Tabard in the
Canterbury Tales appears to be upon a level with his guests, both in
rank and information, and to play the part of one who felt that he was
receiving his equals, and no more, under his roof; yet his company was
not of the lowest; and in those times it seems to have been usual for
the landlord to preside at the common board, and act in every respect as
the hospitable master of the house, save only in exacting the shot; as
indeed is the custom in many parts of Germany at the present day.
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