The Beer House Having thus far cultivated the bog-trotter by
washing and currying his person, forming his movements, refining
his manners, and giving him some ideas of delicacy of behaviour,
it now remained to introduce him in a knowledge of politics; and
for this purpose, as he could not read the Gazettes, or other
publications, it became necessary to give him the opportunity of
oral information on political questions: and as attending the
debates of congress, and hearing only in the galleries, would
not put it in his power to join occasionally, in the debates,
and exercise himself in speaking; the attending private clubs,
or spending evenings occasionally at beer houses, seemed the
more eligible means to be adopted Accordingly, an evening after
this, the Captain taking him to a beer house, and occupying a
bench, called for a mug of ale, and bade Teague attend to the
conversations that were going forward. The redemption of what
are called certificates was at that time the subject of debate.
It is well known