MDMD(1): Chapter 3 detail

[andrew at cee.hw.ac.uk]

Paul Mackin writes:
> Eric Alan Weinstein writes:
> > Is it a safe bet that most Inns (B & B's, Hotel's, etc)
> > would have included a pub-like area, or a 
> > eating area where in any case beer was served?

> >>>>Don't know, but it occurs to me that drinking places in
> Britain are called licensed premises. Would this tradition have dated 
> to the 18th Century and been the bother then it is now?

The OED lists inn as a place where people could hire rooms and obtain
`refreshment' from middle english (it has a different meaning from old
english) then goes on to say that it was later taken to be a public
house but is nto specific as to when. Dickens has Mr Pickwick stay in
inns which are hotels, not pubs - but drink (refreshment?) is
available at them. So, even if the public house meaning is
post-Pickwick this might indicate that drink was commonly available at
a `pucker' inn in M&D's time.

Ahh well, that's done that one to death, no?


Andrew Dinn
-----------
And though Earthliness forget you,
To the stilled Earth say:  I flow.
To the rushing water speak:  I am.