The Arizona sentinel., 1886-11-20

was taken to Bartholomew Hospital, the
 officials of that institution highly com
 plimented Captain Morgan upon the
 workmanlike manner in which he had
 performed the operation. The fact,
 however, remains, that but for the
 purely fortuitous circumstance of the
 commander of the vessel having been
 able to deal with the case, the result of there being no surgeon on board must have been that the injured man would either have died, or been a cripple for life.
 If the cabin passengers had good cause to complain that neither their safety nor their comfort was sufficiently studied, the condition of the steerage passengers was infinitely worse. Men, women and children were huddled ke sheep in the quarters assigned them, no separation of the sexes being attempted. The berths, which ran on either side of the vessel, were not iEclosed, and were without curtains.
 The steerage passengers were re- quired to both supply and cook their own provisions. There was commonly a fierce struggle for place at the gal ley fire, in which the sick and feeble necessarily went to the wall; and some times several days would pass without any warm food being obtained by those who were most in need of it. Again, when there was storm, or even when the ship experienced heavy weather, the matches were closed, rendering the at mosphere of the steerege almost stifling. In fact. the condition and treatment of <.lis class of passengers was simply abominable, and such as to reflect deep discredit upon the Government for allowing so many years to elapse ere any attempt was made to deal with the evil.
 Now, all is changed. The steamers which at the present day cross the At lantic are vessels ranging from four to seven thousand tons burden; and the arrangements on board of them are ex- cellent in all respects. Besides the life boats-which are numerous, large, and built on the most approved models-there are raftS which, in case of necessity, can be got ready and launched in a few minutes. In the event, too, of a fire breaking out in any part of the ship, the appliances for ex- tinguishing it are of the most thorough character. In fact, the provision made for the safety of the passengers would be all that could be desired if every ship carried a sufficient number of boats to accommodate, Tn case of disaster, every passenger, even when her compS3- ment was full. Note the late disaster to the Oregon.
 The comfort of the travelling public is now carefully studded. The cabins for the tirst-class passengers are placed amidships, where the motion of the vessel is least felt, instead of. as for merly, at the stern. The staterooms are connexions, handsomely furnished, thoroughly ventilated, and heated by steam. The saloon, which is spacious and well-lighted, contains a piano, small library, bagatelle tables, chess, etc., for the use of the passengers. There are also smoking and rooms and bathrooms, supplied with hot as well as cold water. The table is so luXuri- antly spread that there is scarcely a MnlCu DC III lnC best hotels in London, found lacking on board these steamers. The supply of fresh water-furnished by condensers- is practically unlimited; whilst that which is required for drinking purposes is in summer cooled with ice, of which a large stock is provided. A surgeon is invariably carried, the law rendering it obligatory to do SO; and his services are at the disposal of any of the passen- gers who needs them without the pay ment of any fee.
 Nor have the steerage passengers failed to participate in the altered con dition of things. Instead of their being crowded together in the badly ventilated and unhealthy quarters assigned to them, as was formerly the case, it is now compulsory for a fixed cubic space to be allotted to each individual. Not only, too, are the berths inclosed, but the single women occupy a separate compartment, in the charge of matron. But one of the greatest which has taken place in the condition of occupants of the steer age has been effected by the act, passed d lew years ago, requiring cookeu pro visions being found by the owners of the ship; and although the passage money is necessarily higher than it was under the old system, this drawback is more than compensated by the comfort which results from the present arrange ment.
 In conclusion, 1 may say that, in- dulging in retrospect upon my expe- riences for the last forty years-during which I have crossed the Atlantic ten times-I have been forcibly struck by the contrast the peril, tedium and in- conveniences then attendant upon an voyage afford to the safety, rapidity and comfort with which it is now accomplished. Chambers Jour SeaL.