Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-02-03
Experiences of a Traveller.

TIPPING" " THE PORTER, oil; BY RAIL THROUGH
LoNDoN-TmE ENGLISH SYSTEM AND IT'S DIFFERS
ENCEs FROM OUR own.
Contributed to the Commercial by Ulpllantl
Nothing aston5hcA the traveller 20 much ON
paying his first visit to England as the custom
OF "tipping, or giving sratuities to railroad, and
other public attendants, that is prevalent there
When l first went to London | was greatly
bored by the barcfaced opportunities of
these individuals. The American system Of
forwarding passengers luggage through the
agency of duly appointed baggage masters, is
totally unknown Oh English railroads, and the
traveller is obliged to see his own luggage la
belled, and put into the train--to scramble for
it. and sec it duly re-abelled every time he
changes cars, and to fee porters innumerable,
without beng at all sure OF finding it at the end
of his Journey
My first experience on this subject was gained
by arriving, with two trunks in my possession,
at the Paddingtou terminus of the ''Great West
ern Railway" where it was Inv misfortune to
change cars, first to the q Underground and
subsequently from that to the g North London ,"
line in order to reach my final destination. 70
tndmy way to the platform of the"U Underground
depot, was by no means easy task for YOUR
English railroad official above the rank OF Dor
ter, is usually very bumptious sort of person,
who sails niajestically by you, and Imagining
himself an absolute embodiment of the COM
plainly Us the airs he puts on can possibly do
40 -'' Common public unit dare you address
being like me ~ and accordingly he answers you
or passes You dlsdaintnily by AZ may seem tit to
his great and lofty soul.
After good deal OF inquiry which was met
but by fow civil answers, and sometimes by
none at all, discovered that BY ascending and
descending certain stalrcases, and passing;
through certain winding passages | might if [
pleased, arrive Oh the platform | wanted. but AZ
was extremely anxious that my trunks should
arrive there too, began seeking Il porter to
convey them forme, and soon had the happiness
dertake the task.
With this terrible burden Off my mind SAINT
ered away through the winding passages till |
found myself in the depot of the - Underground
Halfway, where was soon met by the porter
whoaccosting me III Il confidential tome said .
II We wheeled your luggage from the other side
sir, and now I'm going to put it in the train,
Sir, and turning half round, at the same time
placing his hand to his back, palm upwards
something in the shape OF spoon, hc added,
with knowing wink, SIS it any use to mention
1t, sir" Use to mention it no"
said l, puzzled for moment, but pres
entity guessing lls meaning dropped siXpcpce
into the spoonlke palm, and as turned away |
could almost feel tile fellows -idelong glances.
Us lie looked first at the sixpence aud then ut
me, apparently dissatisfied with tho -mallne.s Of
the amount.
The train was but moment before atnrtino.
and rattng away through the dark tunnels mn.
der streets and under houses We soon arrived at
III city terminus OF this wonderful railroad where
| had again to change cars for the North London
line, which was about quarter OF n mile off. |
requested porter to carry my luggage mp the
steps into the street, where hailed cab 10 con
veyit to the North London Depot. The cabby and
aud porter, who seemed to understand, each other
perfectly, coon bundled my boxes OH top of the
cab, and jumping inside, called out, :" North
London, 'nnocently supposing the cabman would
immediately drive of, but cabby understood his
business far too well for that, and was suddenly
met face to face by the head of my friend, the
porter, half-protrudng through the doorway
''Well, what do you want ?" asked |.
'Why if you please SIR" said lie, "you'ye
forgotten the porter, sir"
% Forgotten the porter; what do you mean :"
" Beg your pardon, sir, hope there's no Of