A house of private entertainment, apart from
whatever modern connotations the name might
conjure, was in the 19th century a licensed place
to sell booze, possibly meals but which did not
offer overnight accommodation. The applicant had
to be sworn to be of good character and not given
to various vices, etc. by upstanding citizens,
usually his neighbors and probably the logical
source of customers as well. The license had to be
renewed each year.

Lyle

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