Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-08-21
HOUSEHOLDS.
An English Way Of SUNNI ering-FlOat.
ing Residences on the Thames.
From the London Oueen

| From the London Queen.
! About six years ago domicile on a house
boat was viewed in the light ofan eccentrici.y.
/ AT the present time sixty more of these
| movable homes fringe the edge of the bucks
| shore, and with their brilliant drapery and
| flower garlanded fronts, impart color and ami
| nation to a town that was formerly accredited
| with drOwsiness during three hundred and
sixty days OF the year. Life on houseboat
offers many charms besides that of variety.
| We are most of us acquainted with the recon-
| mendations set forth in favor of lite a fiat;
| the houseboat may lay claim to all Of them,
| with the additional advantage of a felicity for
| changing aspect, position, ne1ghbors, and EN-
! tourage whenever desire for fresh scenes and
| society arises. On a hOuseboat there is none of
| the discOmfOrts of semi-detached villa and
| neither need for, nor any possibility OF, many
servants Upon these latter the atmosphere of
the river houses seems to exercise happy in
| huence.
| The difficulty cook experiences when in town
| OF sending up a dinner unless her well APP
pointed kitchen be supplied with every modern
invention and device, appears never to occur to
her when on board a boat. There her sanctum
| of about four feet square, with utensils in pro-
portonate limits, and the atmosphere of
| an Inferno, satisfy all the requirements of that,
under other circumstances, eXacting woman.
Is it that like her betters she has sense, of
pleasure in discovering that she is possessed OF
undrealned OF resources? Or is it that the small
excitements, shifting scenes, and somewhat re-
Taxed dignity of the surrounding OF her en-
| plOyeIs, awaken in her feeling OF community
of interests: The cause is ineXpricable, but the
| fact remains. The pantry for table requisites
is equally limited, but then every glass and cup
hts into its appointed groove; and when each
thing has place and duly fills it, there is no
sense of Overcrowding. The sleeping accOmmO-
datiOn is apportoned with similar economy,
the arrangement of berths being the same as
those which prevail on yachts and steamers;
everyt thing done tor the promotion OF the
comfort and exclusion of supertiuities The
drawing and dining rooms afford more scope
for ornamentation. Turkey carpets impart a
couches are made movable, and do acceptable
service in barge and skill. The tops of upright
pianos are easily converted into available
etageres, on which are placed photographs,
pictures, and u variety OF seryiceable orna-
form receptacles Tor painting or sketchiny re-
Qu1SlteS and work.
In many instances large and serviceable
Japanese lantern hangs from the center OF the
ceiling thanked with Japanese fans Palm
leaves, pam pas grass, and makart bouquets are
all available decorations, and much taste and
ingenuity are shown in the arrangement of
mirrors to double the proportions of the
saloons Few boats can boast of a room SO
spacious as that afforded by the roof or deck
OF a houseboat Although the latter varies in
size as much as in form and i'll decoration, fifty
and sixty feet OF length are by no means I'M
usual, and the social nome life is mostly passed
on those flat roofs, which are also the scene OF
numerous al fresco entertainments. Some are
entirely devoid OF awnings, others have canopies
represented by huge Japanese umbrellas; but
most OF the larger boats show canvas, either
arched or straight, stretching from stem to
flowers and numerous Japanese lanterns.
The demands OF the commissariat depart
ment keep dingy in active work during the
greater part of the morning. The arrival of the
unvarying supplies-such as bread, milk, eggs,
etcIare signaied by shouts from the opposite
bank, and 'RiverhOlme, ahoy!' Folly, ahoy!'
set the dlngy boy afiOat. COquette, caprice and
crocodile, ETC., are apprlSeuln similar manner
for the need of despatching aconvoy. Dolce Tar
Nlente which is the suggestive title OF one
hOusebOat, must prove an in-cOnvenient mouth
iul to send across the stream. After the achieve
ment OF breakfast, come the later requirements
OF the housekeeper. Tradesmen cannot come
around Tor ORDERS nor can the latter be
satisfactorily given by means of shouts. Visits
to the various shops are consequently imperd-
tive in order TO stock the perforated cases
on deck, which do duty for a larder. The posi-
billty OF being within easy reach of provisions
is Il matter which claims consideration before
mooring boathouse. The regatta week makes
heavy demands upon the hospitality OF all the
river dwellings, and London alone proves
equal to the task of provisioning them. Alas!
such contretemps as the large orders being de-
llvered on the smaller boats, and vice versa. is
an experience not unknown.
Entertainment without limit seems to be the
order OF river Lille; SO long as the fine weather
and presence of ighbors continue. AS night
draws near, and the twilight fades into that
dusk which renders every surrounding object
dim, the excursions on the water cease. Then
edch boat ana launch puts forth its lights, and
snatches OF song. with musical accomp ani-
ments are heard along the stretch of river. In
the pauseS may occasionally be discerned the
note OF the corncrake from the adjacent shore,
or the distant sounds from neighborng town or
village 1t is often late all before the occupants OF
the boats sink into silence. us Tue temptation TO
watch quiet river, SKY and moon, are more
allurlng than the tiny berth below. Dress re-
quirements are happily few, and those
Infatuated to the river life may be distin-
guished by the simplicity OF their attire. Plain
skirts OF serge or flannel are mostly adopted
with skirts OF washing silk. The boats culors
its name on the silver buckle that clasps the
latter.