 of the
drinkers, though few of them are inhabited. Most of the company lodge at some
distance, in five separate inns, situated in different parts of the common, from
whence they go every morning to the well, in their own carriages. The lodgers of
each inn form a distinct society, that eat together; and there is a commodious
public room, where they breakfast in dishabille, at separate tables, from eight
o'clock till eleven, as they chance or chuse to come in - Here also they drink
tea in the afternoon, and play at cards or dance in the evening. One custom,
however, prevails, which I look upon as a solecism in politeness - The ladies
treat with tea in their turns; and even girls of sixteen are not exempted from
this shameful imposition - There is a public ball by subscription every night at
one of the houses, to which all the company from the others are admitted by
tickets; and, indeed, Harrigate treads upon the heels of Bath, in the articles
of gaiety and dissipation - with this difference, however, that here we are more
sociable and familiar. One of the inns is already full up to the very garrets,
having no less than fifty lodgers, and as many servants. Our family does not
exceed thirty-six; and I should be sorry to see the number augmented, as our
accommodations won't admit of much increase.
    At present, the company is more agreeable than one could expect from an
accidental assemblage of persons, who are utter strangers to one another - There
seems to be a general disposition among us to maintain good-fellowship, and
promote the purposes of humanity, in favour of those who come hither on the
score of health. I see several faces which we left at Bath, although the
majority are of the Northern counties, and many come from Scotland for the
benefit of these waters - In such a variety, there must be some originals, among
whom Mrs. Tabitha Bramble is not the most inconsiderable - No place where there
is such an intercourse between the sexes, can be disagreeable to a lady of her
views and temperament - She has had some warm disputes at table, with a lame
parson from Northumberland, on the new birth, and the insignificance of moral
virtue; and her arguments have been reinforced by an old Scotch lawyer, in a tye
periwig, who, though he has lost his teeth, and the use of his limbs, can still
wag his tongue with great volubility. He has paid her such fulsome compliments,
upon her piety and learning, as seem
