TOURING PIGEONS
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] am afraid that " H. M." is right, when, in his article, "The Touring Pigeons" (Spectator, October 4th), he says that our country hotels are bad, because " the average British tourist is an ass." Last.month my wife and I, " car-touring," arrived at dusk in a country town which, according to our A.A. Handbook, contained but one hotel. Dinner was long past, but cold meat, pickles, etc.—at dinner price—were obtained.
Wishing to have better luck with breakfast, I went down
early to order the meal. Porridge ? " " Sorry, sir, there is none." " Fish ? " Same answer. Yes, they had bacon (!) and eggs ; also, if desired, cold meat. " And," the maid added joyously, " would you like some fruit ?" The latter appeared in a glass dish—two pears, two oranges, and two apples. I gently squeezed the two pears, they burst, both rotten. The two oranges were in a similar condition. The two apples were small green windfalls and uneatable. What did I do or say ? Nothing ! ! Was it moral funk, or a case of " anything for a quiet life " ? Really I don't know, but I'm in entire agreement with " H. M." that " the average British tourist is an ass."—I am, Sir, &c., Boot:land, ISHdhurst. WADE Ceui.T4iLD (Vice-Admiral).
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