Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-03
a CULoUs INSTITUTION.
A Model Floating Laundry on the
Seine.

From he Cosm7 DoAtda.
In Paris there are hundreds Of foating
laundries moored in the Seine. They
have, from time immemoral, been an I'M
portant feature In the river scenery, and
also Of the economic and bygienic systems
OF Paris. All the soiled linen Of the great
city ls washed in the Seine.
The largest OF these toAting laundrie g
r. that OF tue "Arche Marion" and by the
Fallslan washerwOmen 1t is considered
the best and most convenient. Ii consists
OF twelve houses, in two parallel lines,
butt upon as many flatboats. They are
connected with each other by gangways,
and form a frontage of $50 ieet with
streets IN every direction, and spaces
at various points where the DANES dH
ldrp(r, or washerwomen, meet to gossip,
quarrel and transact business. In the
centre Is large building, having a tall
chimney, where are the boilers, watts and
storehUuses, containing carbOys of eau de
ydcsit, an acid used in washing, parcels
OF carbonate Of soda, tanks and vast
quantities Of yellow and soft soaps.
Though the twelve houses are separate
and distinct, they are virtually one estab-
lshment, having all the characteristics
OF village. The buildings have two sto-
RES, river floor and an upper floor. The
first has shop-like windows, the upper
Nat being devoted TO the drying OF clothes.
Within there is a ong corridor traversing
the boat longitudinally. On either side
OF this corridor is row of washing
places, where the laundresses perform
their labor. Twenty-iour persons can be
accommodated on each boat, So that the
"Arche Marion has places for 2SS regu-
lar customers on its twelve boats.
These customers are divided into two
classcs-the professional washerwomau
and those women OF the working classes
who, for cheapness, come there once
week TO do their family washing at
charge of tC. per hour. The professionals
pay only Sc. per day, and usually wash
fourteen hours out of the twenty-tour.
The propretors OF the establishment do
not supply artificial light gratis. Those
who have TO work at night have to pay
extra tor It, or provide themselves with
tallow dips stuck In bottles, or they have
a paper lantern. The professionals work
in brIgades OF dozen or so. commanded
by "mistress laundress." who gets the
custom, fixes the prices, etc, and though
experimenting everything is nearly al
ways working with her subordlnates at
the tub.
The boiling OF I've is continued except
Saturday. Little work Is performed on
sundays, and then only bv women who
come to soap their clothes. In the
evening quantities OF bundles are re-
ceiyed 10y the garcon de lavoir. or washer
boy. After the delivery of ticket TO the
customer, he throws them into the watts
The next morning. after payment OF the
rent ot the lye vat, the washer can begin
toiscrub.
Everything for the success Off laundry
depends upon the alertness of the 0Qrc0R
az lJroir Ii he makes the I've and eau az
idrfttd too strong or too weak, or If the
fires are not kept up regularly, or the
articles come out unclean or in rags, the
good name of the maitr6 du ldr0ir, or
master-washer, is lost. he makes deal
OF money, il he displays talent IN his bust
ness, and, by comforting certain favors,
ne receives presents and treats from his
customers.
The CuRfips, or restaurant, is carried on
at from $l20 to $500 per annum, and the
cdHtlalefc, or restaurant keeper, generally
makes hts fortune in the business, his
chlet profits arising from the sale OF
liQulas, wine, coffee and brandy. which
are taken pretty freely between meals
As the washerwomeu do not care to 90
ashore to eat in their wet petticoats and
wooden shoes, they patronize the two
meals furnished daily at the caHtiue.
All the petty iealousies and riNalries,
class distinctions, etc. that characterize
communities exist at these bufedUr Ia
0"lT>. aud phases OF life from the "Arche
Marion" cave entered into dramatic lit
ersture.
The income from laundry having 100
Washing places Is 5000 a year, s., 600 be-
Ing clear profit All the families of these
Seine iaUudries are united by ties Of Iu-
tereSt and marriage, and they form what
is cal ell the huNlal world of Paris. The
dau Thters OF pvOprlelors get as dowry a
ialboat, and generally wed some OF those
in The same profession.