haste,
The regions to roam of wit, fashion, and taste;
Like Quixote in quest of adventures set out,
And learn what the crowds in the streets are about;
And laugh when we must, and approve when we can,
Where London displays ev'ry feature of man."

"The numerous hotels, bagnios, taverns, inns, coffee-houses,
eating-houses, lodging-houses, &c. in endless variety, which meet
the eye in all parts of the metropolis, afford an immediate choice
of accommodation, as well to the temporary sojourner as the permanent
resident; where may be obtained the necessaries and luxuries of life,
commensurate with your means of payment, from one shilling to a guinea
for a dinner, and from sixpence to thirty shillings a night for a
lodging!

"The stranger recommended to one of these hotels, who regales himself
after the fatigues of a journey with moderate refreshment, and retires
to rest, and preparing to depart in the morning, is frequently surprised
at the longitudinal appearance and sum total of his bill, wherein every
item is individually stated, and at a rate enormously extravagant.
Remonstrance is unavailable; the charges are those common to the house,
and in failure of payment your luggage is under detention, without
the means of redress; ultimately the bill must be paid, and the only
consolation left is, that you have acquired a useful, though
expensive lesson, how to guard in future against similar exaction and
inconvenience."{1}

1 Marlborough Street.--Yesterday, Mrs. Hickinbottom, the
wife of Mr. Hickinbottom, the keeper of the St. Petersburgh
Hotel in Dover Street, Piccadilly, appeared to a summons to
answer the complaint of a gentleman for unlawfully detaining
his luggage under the following circumstances: The
complainant stated, that on Thursday evening last, on his
arrival in town from Aberdeen, he went to the White Horse
Cellar, Piccadilly; but the house being full, he was
recommended to the St. Petersburgh Hotel in Dover Street;
where, having taken some refreshment and wrote a letter, he
went to bed, and on the following morning after break-fast,
he desired the waiter to bring him his bill, which he did,
and the first item that presented itself was the moderate
charge of one pound ten shillings for his bed; and then
followed, amongst many others, sixpence for a pen, a
shilling for wax, a shill