"How do you do?" To which unexpected question from
total strangers I have now learned to answer, "Pretty well, I thank
you; how do you do?" This manner of address must needs appear very
singular to a foreigner, who is all at once asked by a person whom
he has never seen before how he does.
After I had passed through this village I came to a green field, at
the side of which I met with an ale-house. The mistress was sitting
at the window. I asked her if I could stay the night there. She
said No!" and shut the window in my face.
This unmannerliness recalled to my recollection the many receptions
of this kind to which I have now so often been exposed, and I could
not forbear uttering aloud my indignation at the inhospitality of
the English. This harsh sentiment I soon corrected, however, as I
walked on, by recollecting, and placing in the opposite scale, the
unbounded and unequalled generosity of this nation, and also the
many acts of real and substantial kindness which I had myself
experienced in it.
I at last came to another inn, where there was written on the sign:
"The Navigation Inn," because it is the depot, or storehouse, of the
colliers of the Trent.
