The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-09-29
LIFE ON A HOUSEBOAT.
CHARMS OF EXISTENCE ON ONE OF
THESE MOVABLE HOMES.

None of the Discomforts of Life I'm q
vila-Cook and MISUNDERSTANDING Ac-
commodations - Interior Decorations
and Comforts-At Night.
About six years ago a domicile on house
boat was viewed in the light of an eccen-
tricity. At the present time sixty or more of
these rSovable homes fringe the edge OF the
Bucks shore, and, with their brilliant drapery
and flower gardened fronts, impart color and
animation to a town that was formerly &C
credited with drowsiness during $50 days in
the year. Life on & houSeboat offers many
charms besides that of variety. We are most
of US acquainted with the recommendations
set forth in favor of life on a flat; the house
boat may lay claim to all of them, with the
additional advantage of felicity for chang
ing aspect, position, neighbors, and encourage
whenever q desire for fresh scenes and society
arises. On a houseboat there is none of the
iiscomforts of a 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
influence.
COOK AND KITCHEN.
The difficulty cook experiences when it,
town of sending up dinner, unless her we'll
appointed kitchen be supplied with every
modern invention and device, appears never
to occur to her when ON board n boat. There
her sanctum of about four feet square, with
utensils in proportionate limits, and the at
mosphere of an inferno, satisfy all the re-
quirements of that, under other circum-
stances, exacting woman. Is it that, like her
betters, she has a sense of pleasure in discov-
ering that she is possessed of undreamed of
resources. Or is it the small excitements,
shifting scene, and somewhat relaxed dignity
of the surroundings of her employers awaken
in her a feeling of community of interests.
The cause is inexplicable, but the fact re-
mains.
A second woman on board is in the acct
dental rather than the regular course OF
events, rs a mans services prove more eili-
cient in q boat which can rarely place more
than two berths at the disposal of the ser
wants. The pantry for table requisites is
equally limited, but then every glass and cup
fits into its appointed groove; and when each
thing has place and duly fills it, there is no
sense of overcrowding. The sleeping accom-
mediation is apportioned with similar economy,
the arrangement of berths being the same as
those which prevail on yachts and steamers;
everything done for the promotion of COM
fort and exclusion of opportunities The draw
ing and dining rooms afford more scope for
ornamentation Turkey carpets impart a
feeling of luxury; lie velvet cushions of the
couchcs are made movable, and do accept
able service in bar o and sl1iff. The tops of
upright pianos easily converted into
available etageres, OF which are placed photo
graphs, pictures and variety of serviceable
ornaments. Cabinets fit into every corner,
and form receptacles for painting or sketch
ing requisites and work.
THE ROOF or DECK.
In many instances a large and serviceable
japanese lantern hangs from the centre of the
ceiling flanked with Japanese fans. Palm
leaves, Pampas grass and Makart boquets
are all available decorations, and much taste
and ingenuity ere shown in the arrangement
of mirrors to double the proportions of the
saloons. Few loats can boast of room so
spacious Us tina: afforded by the roof or deck
of q houseboat. Although the latter varies
in size as much as in form and decoration,
fifty and sixty feet in length are by no means
unusual, and the social home life is mostly
passed on these Hat roofs, which are also the
scene of numerous al .rgsco entertainments.
Some are entirely devoid If awnings others
have canopies represented by huge japanese
umbrellas; but most of tn larger boats show
canvas, either arched or straight, stretching
from stem to stern. Pendent from the center
are baskets of flowers and numerous Japan
Csc lanterns.
Entertainment without limit seems to be
the order of river life; so long as the fine
weather and presence of ncighbors continue
As night draws near, and the twilight fades
into the dusk which renders every surround
ing object dim, the excursions on the water
cease. Then each boat and launch puts forth
its lights, and snatches of song with musical
Accomplishments are heard along the stretch
Of river. In the pauses may occasionally be
I discerned the note of the corncrake from the
adjacent shore, or the distant sounds from
neighboring town or village. 1t is often late
before all the occupants of the boats sink into
silence, rs the temptation to watch quiet
| river, sky and moon are more alluring than
the tiny berth below. Dress requirements are
happily few, and those habituated to the river
life may be distinguished by the simplicity of
their attire. Plain skirts of serge flannel
are mostly adopted, with skirts of washing
silk. The boats colors arc shown III the neck
tie, hat and waistband and its name on the
silver buckle that clasps the latter.-London
Queen.