3 6

HINTS of OCCURRENCES , &c.

to any perfon. I acquainted him with the purpofe of my vifiting Ober-Lahndein, defired he would explain it tothe landlady, and intreat her to folicit for me, an interview with the Gentleman, before he left me. She readilyundertook to deliver the melTage, and returned in a few minutes with his pofitive refufal to admit any body to feeor fpeak to him; but after much intreaty, confented to anfwer quedions propofed in writing, or to explain whatI Ihould fet down for the indru£lion of the landlady.

*

The fird occafion on which I troubled him, was to inform her that I was in a date of health that would not al-low me to make ufe of oil or butter, nor to eat any thing acid; and to requed therefore, that fbe would preparemy victuals accordingly, which he communicated and explained to her. She perfided, however, in the Germanmethod of balling the meat with vinegar, and ferving it up with a fauce in which oil and vinegar were the chiefingredients. I procured from my correfpondent a direction written in German to as little purpofe; and findingI had no alternative but to cook for myfelf or llarve, I took my poll in the kitchen.

This prefumption very nearly occafioned my being turned out of the houfe. The following note from our cor-refpondent, which was delivered to me at dinner, determined me to condu£t myfelf in future with more caution ;

The Gentleman above-flairs makes his compliments to the Gentlemen below-llairs, and informs them that the“ landlady is very much incenfed at being put out of her way. She fays it is the firfb time her method of cooking44 has been found fault with; that when people come into a llrange country, they ought to conform to its culloms44 and manner of living, and that if the Gentlemen do not like their entertainment, they may leave it ”. Bad asour fituation was, it might Hill be worfe: I therefore wrote an immediate anfwer, defiring he would inform her,that I was very fenfible of her culinary merit, and if my health would allow me to indulge my appetite, fhould behighly gratified with her cookery ; and in fhort, to fay any thing elfe for me that would be likely to appeafe her.

This fubmilfion was gracioufly received, and procured for me greater indulgence in the article of eating, than Ihad been able to obtain by expoftulation, intreaty or complaint. The old lady was all complacence, and herdaughters, who fung delightfully, exerted their mufical powers to entertain us. They gave us a great variety offongs, many of them confided of parts, in which they difplayed great tade, were perfe6lly in tune, and kept exa£ltime.

The want of language to exprefs our admiration, did not prevent their perceiving how much they had charm-ed us; nor was the pleafure they received from our commendations lefs vifible. They continued with us till bed-time, and repeated their vifits every evening in the fame manner whild we daid at their houfe. Pleafed with this

agreeable