It is a sign of plenty: the warm spot of colour against the
rough masonry does good to eye and heart.
My hotel afforded me little amusement after the _Concordia_ at
Cotrone, yet it did not lack its characteristic features. I found,
for instance, in my bedroom a printed notice, making appeal in
remarkable terms to all who occupied the chamber. The proprietor--
thus it ran--had learnt with extreme regret that certain
travellers who slept under his roof were in the habit of taking
their meals at other places of entertainment. This practice, he
desired it to be known, not only hurt his personal feelings--
_tocca il suo morale_--but did harm to the reputation of his
establishment. Assuring all and sundry that he would do his utmost
to maintain a high standard of culinary excellence, the proprietor
ended by begging his honourable clients that they would bestow their
kind favours on the restaurant of the house--_signora pregare i
suoi respettabili clienti perche vogliano benignarsi il ristorante_;
and therewith signed himself--Coriolano Paparazzo.
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