The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-07-13
Are You Going Abroad?

have come and are coming to Europe this
summer, and that the great transatlantic
lines are making preparation accordingly
and that some of them, at least, intend tC
put on extra steamers. OF these 10000
passengers more than half will cross the
ocean for the first time, and many of them
will be at greater or less disadvantage
through ignorance as to the requirements
of the journey. In the first place, then, it
is always cold on the North Atlantic, even
in midsummer The far proximity of an
iceberg is sufficient to send the thermometer
uncomfortably low. Therefore, to be any
thing like comfortable, you must be warmly
clad. IF man, take your thickest winter
suit-if woman, the warmest walking suit
you have. Nobody dresses up on board
ship, so wear your pretty travelling suit to
the steamer, then take it off and lay it
away in your steamer trunk until the docks
of Liverpool are sighted or looked Tor.
Your Saratoga trunk, if you have one, will
be stored away IN the hold of the ship,
and you will not see it until you are called
upon to pick it out from the mass of bag
gage at the custom house. The limits of
a steamer trunk are Is inches in height,
feet wide and feet 6 inches in length.
In your steamer trunk put everything you
need for the voyage-your steamer suit, a
set of winter fannels, arctic overshoes, since
in rough weather the steamers decks are
frequently flooded; two wells such as you
would wear at home in the coolest weather
-One will not last you if you have rain
on the passage warm hood or knotted
shawl for your head, heavy blanket shawl,
or rug. as the English call it, thick nit
tens aud warm wrapper for wear in your
stateroom. A fur lined wrap will be none
too warm, but by far the best cloak for the
journey is heavy cloth ulster covering
you from head to foot, buttoned all the
way-a regular storm coat, in fact. The
only comfortable looking lady passenger on
the steamship on which / came over had
such one of waterproof cloth, Scotch
tweed, think, lined throughout with fan
mel, with hood to match.
It is not necessary to provide yourself
with steamer chair, since on the regular
Atlantic liners the deck stewards keep them
for hire If you prefer to provide your
own, mark il legibly with your name, and
you can leave it at the steamship office
until your return, where, also, if desired,
the steamer trunk with sailing outfit may
be left
If you are man postpone the purchase
Of any outside clothing you may require
until you reach England; it is much cheaper
there Shirts, cuffs and collars are better
for the money in America. Hosiery and
merino underwear are much the same price.
All American soaps and perfumes cost less
at home, and vice versa If you are a
woman, bring any pretty clothes you have
along; indeed, if you have a good moderate
priced drsssmaker it viii pay you to have
one OF two new suits made. The American
fashions are quite as new as those over
here, and American fits are better except
for the more expensive places. | heard an
English member Of Mary Anderson's com
pany regrettiug that she had not laid in a
supply Of American notions before sailing.
They are so much cheaper, and some Of
them you can't get at all in London, she
said. OF course, as England is free trade
country, you pay duty ON nothing but
spirits, which means liquors Of all sorts,
cologne, &c, and tobacco. If, however,
your boxes Of cigars and bottles Of whiskey
have been opened and partly used, they
pass free, unless you have more than two
Of them. \ tip to the custom house officer
viii usually persuade that official to be sat
isfed with perfunetory poke through
your baggage, TO be sure that no bottles or
cigar boxes are hidden therein.
Ia England every one dresses for the
evening, and dress suit is obligatory for
every gentleman at the theatre or even the
smallest diuner-in fact, everywhere after
: O'Clock p. IN. American women are al
lowed to wear high bodices everywhere ex-
cept to court, where special permission to
do so is necessary; but the high bodice must
be accompanied by lace 6chu and hair
dressed in evening style But low or
half high corsage is considered in much
better taste. Light suede gloves are oblig-
atory at the theatre or at any evening en-
tertainmeut.
To 90 back to the steamer, from which
the question of clothing has withdrawn US,
very little advice can be given with regard
to the subject of seasiekuess. You will
probably have a more or less attack of it
anyway, unless you are an old sailor. But
You may generally insure the less by tenn
perate diet for day or two, aud cathartie
taken within twenty-four hours before
sailing. Many yoyagers fall victims to the
Kindness Of their friends 4 breakfast or
supper which viii give you headache on
shore is pretty certain to produce severe
NAL de mer on the ocean.
American money is at a slight premium
abroad, so that it is not necessary to convert
all your funds into foreign exchange. You
will, however, need a few pounds for tips,
Se., on the steamer These vary with the
amount of service you require, from half a
sovereign to a pound for steward or stew
ardess A man is not expected to fee the
stewardess nor a woman the steward. The
table steward-there are no walters on
board ship-expects half sovereign from
each person at his table. Five shillings is
the correct tip for the deck steward, who
takes care of your chair and looks after
your rugs. A collection is usually taken
up for the smoking room steward.
In England passports are unnecessary
On the continent they will be found great
convenience, especially in out of the way
places. In Greece, Turkey and Egypt, as
well as in Russia, they are necessity, and
the lack of them may occasion much an.
noyance. 1t only costs dollar to obtain
one, and, as the cowboy said of his revolver
if you need it at all you need it bad. II
you are a man and Freemason provide
yourself with diploma from your
lodge before you leave home; that, too, may
be exceedingly useful. Baggage-"lug.
gage" they call it in England-is NUS
ance, especially on the continent Al
trunks and bags, except those you can take
in your hand, are charged by weight, anC
the Great Northwestern Railroad from
Liverpool to London is the only one il
all Europe which checks baggage in Amer
lean fashion With them, even, the prac
tice is so recent that they give picture o.
the brass check on their time tables Sc
everywhere you can possibly get along
without your trunk, take only valise anC
shawl strap, or you will be a slave to YOU
baggage. The price for storing baggage il
usually small, and if left at any large rail
way station it is absolutely safe until called