ce is a sort of assembly-room, where new
arrivals are scanned and discovered, and it is unblushingly called
the "fish-pond" by the young ladies who daily angle there. Of the
unconventional ways of the establishment Mr. King had an illustration
when he attempted to get some washing done. Having read a notice that
the hotel had no laundry, he was told, on applying at the office, that
if he would bring his things down there they would try to send them
out for him. Not being accustomed to carrying about soiled clothes, he
declined this proposal, and consulted a chambermaid. She told him that
ladies came to the house every day for the washing, and that she
would speak to one of them. No result following this, after a day King
consulted the proprietor, and asked him point blank, as a friend, what
course he would pursue if he were under the necessity of having washing
done in that region. The proprietor said that Mr. King's wants should
be attended to at once. Another day passed without action, when the
chambermaid was again applied to. "There's a lady just come in to the
hall I guess will do it."

"Is she trustworthy?"

"Don't know, she washes for the woman in the room next to you." And the
lady was at last secured.

Somebody said that those who were accustomed to luxury at home liked
Rodick's, and that those who were not grumbled. And it was true that
fashion for the moment elected to be pleased with unconventionality,
finding a great zest in freedom, and making a joke of every
inconvenience. Society will make its own rules, and although there are
several other large hotels, and good houses as watering-place hotels go,
and cottage-life here as elsewhere is drawing away its skirts from hotel
life, society understood why a person might elect to stay at Rodick's.
Bar Harbor has one of the most dainty and refined little hotels in the
world-the Malvern. Any one can stay there who is worth two millions of
dollars, or can produce a certificate from the Recorder of New York that
he is a direct descendant of Hendrick Hudson or Diedrich Knickerbocker.
It is needless to say that it was built by a Philadelphian--that is to
say one born with a genius for hotel-keeping. But though a guest at the
Malvern might not eat with a friend at Rodick's, he will meet him as a
man of the world on friendly terms.

Bar Harbor was indeed an interesting society study. Except in some of
the cottages, it might be said that society was on a lark. With a