The bagmen are in revolt—and will win. It appears that
by the "custom" of the fraternity, which is as strong as law, the owners of the inns they frequent are bound to give them a goof dinner at one o'clock for is. 9d. The travellers, on the other hand, are bound to order a pint of wine each, and as of course they do not waste it, the supply interferes greatly with the afternoon's work. The young men in particular, who have weaker heads than the older generation, dislike the system, letters have been written to the Times, and a meeting has been held at Newcastle to put it down. The meeting resolved almost unanimously that the usage was unjust and ought to be suppressed, and it is intended to offer the innkeepers a better price for the dinner rupd leave each guest to do as he pleases. We question if the hotel-keepers will quite approve the change, as they will hardly be able to ask more than an extra shilling ; but they will be fully compensated if it induces them to establish regular tables d'hote,s, open to outsiders as well as guests. Nothing is so greatly wanted in our country towns as really good "ordinaries," accessible to people not residing in the inns, and unspoilt by a custom of buying bad wine " for the good of the house."
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