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In the Eighteenth Century
England, the mutton scarcely to be equalled and certainly not to be excelled, and the beef and pork to be incomparably good. His one ground of complaint was, that the vendors of provisions at Tunbridge Wells made strangers pay much dearer for them than the residents. This, however, was a custom at all seasonable resorts, and, in some places, is still continued. From the end of September until the middle of June it was possible to live there as cheaply as anywhere in the kingdom, for during this period a stranger scarcely ever ventured to put in an appearance at the spa : it was with the advent of the warm weather that the prices rose monstrous high. People of moderate means had the same grievance with the taverns, for the charges were very considerable during the season, which lasted about three months, and was only at its height for two months, during which time the tradesmen, proprietors of lodging-houses, and inn-keepers had to make profit enough to support them throughout the year. Yet for those whose means were not restricted the place was delightful enough. " In a word," Defoe summed up, " Tunbridge wants nothing that can add to the Felicities of life, or that can make a Man or Woman compleatly happy, always provided they have
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