eight o’clock
The roads , having been broken up by the heavy rains in the spring , were so rough , that although we travelled very slowly , the jolting occasioned such pain , to my uncle , that he was become exceedingly peevish when we arrived at this place , which lies about eight miles from the postroad , between Wetherby and Boroughbridge . Harrigate-water , so celebrated for its efficacy in the scurvy and other distempers , is supplied from a copious spring , in the hollow of a wild common , round which , a good many houses have been built for the convenience of the drinkers , though few of them are inhabited . Most of the company lodge at some distance , in five separate inns , situated in different parts of the commons , from whence they go every morning to the well , in their own carriages . The lodgers of each inn form a distinct society , that eat together ; and there is a commodious public room , where they breakfast in disabille , at separate tables , from eight o'clock till eleven , as they chance or chuse to come in -- Here also they drink tea in the afternoon , and play at cards or dance in the evening . One custom , however , prevails , which I looked upon as a solecism in politeness . The ladies treat with tea in their turns ; and even girls of sixteen are not exempted from this shameful imposition -- There is a public ball by subscription every night at one of the houses , to which all the company from the others are admitted by tickets ; and , indeed , Harrigate treads upon the heels of Bath , in the articles of gaiety and dissipation -- with this difference , however , that here we are more sociable and familiar . One of the inns is already full up to the very garrets , having no less than fifty lodgers , and as many servants .