In Newport, we enter another Mermaid Tavern. This one has:
writhing crabs in whicker baskets;
smells of roasting, frying, stewing, wine, beer and tobacco;
ships' captains and officers and business people;
souvenirs on the walls - floats, nets, weapons, a crocodile skull, a feather cloak, a mask of painted coconuts and seashells;
both body heat and kitchen heat;
smoke and noise;
a merchant reading the Newport Commercial Bulletin, subtitled Salve Lucrum, meaning "Hail, Profit."
This is another of the many fictional inns that we would like to visit.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
The Mermaid Tavern sounds like the kind of place Nicholas van Rijn would love! Esp. if you could read newspapers with mottoes like "Salve Lucrum"!
Sean
I do think Old Nick would like it... 8-).
So would I, Mr. Stirling!
Sean
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