Daily Yellowstone journal., 1891-11-15

tered p~hilanthropist, his second great
triumph for England's lowly children was
achieved, and his bill was unanimously
passed-while, half fainting with hunger
and anxiety, and with not a sixpence in
his pocket, he sat in the speakers gallery
thanking God for what had been accom-
plished.
Briefly, this bill provided for the regis
tration Of all canalboats in England by
the sanitary authorities precisely the same
as any residence habitation, which abso-
lutely abolished the former abominable
disease breeding and carrying character Of
the tiny crafts. IL brought all the 10000
canalbOat children under the education
act, so that by a system Of pass books they
were enabled TO attend any school where
they might be temporarily tarrying. IL
abolished, by inspection on the part of
local authorities, all possibility Of Illicit
relations Of canalboat folk, who had here
tofore been under no authority and sur
~veillance. IL limited the number Of Occu-
pants in the diminutive cabins, and il re-
suited in placing three-fourths Of the entire
canal folk Of England in homes along the
canal banks. Evils Of course still exist.
but the change for the better has been Of a
marvellous character.
George Smith Of Coalville not only
brought about both the great brickyard
and canalboat reforms. but he has been As
persistent an a~gitator in seeing that the
provisions Of the two bills were carried
out. He has tramped thousands Of miles
in doing this; his long, flowing white hair
and beard; his kindly, smiling, fatherly
face; his powerful figure; his benign though
piercing eyes, which seem 10 instantly pen
citrate the very marrow OF incidents home
lore and secrets of water side. backward
and gypsy communities, being familiar ey-
erywhere In England among the lowly
His face, form and figure are Just As famil-
lar in the streets of London among the
hauuts Of the rich, where he comes with
blunt words and ways 90 make the fortu-
nate help the unfortunate: aud be gets 10
too. And no man within the walls Of par
Lament house is more known. noted and
beloved, even by those who oppose his
efforts in behalf Of children, than is thi,
man who has no actual right 10 any Of the
countless privileges which are his. He j.
Hon. George Smith, of Coalvilie. member
for Everywhere, and representing a con-
s]tituency more powerful han any states
man or leader-the millions OF British chill.
dren whom billions of British capital
would otherw.se remor-elessly euthrall.
Perhaps these people are densest at Biz
mingham, Manchester, Goole. Wigan and
kuncorn. The extensive distribution Of
manufactured goods az Birmingham, Of
imports A. well as manufacture at Man
chester, Of Yorkshire imports and exports
at Goole, by way ofthe seaport Of Hull: the
tremendous shipments Of Lancashire coal
at Wigan and the bringing Of the Cornish
white clay to the Staffordshire potteries
through the Mersey, via Runcorn. with
the return craft laden with pottery wares.
account for this.
All the English midland canals are Of
far less capacity than our own. The bot
toms are in the form Of an inverted arch,
and the locks are only 7 feet wide.
Consequently canal boats here are very
They are usually only from
q TO 30 ton boats; q feet q inches wide.
q feet long, and with only 3 feet Of keel.
The cabins are therefore scarcely one
the size Of those Of our boats. They
only 5 feet wide and high and 5 feet
long. From 70 4 feet Of their height pro-
trudes above deck. The exposed sides are
covered with most wonderful paint
ings representing the highest expression Of
art among these lOwly folk, and a dog
kennel invariably surmOunts the decorated
cabin top. Within this 30 cubic feet OF
space are a bed for the boatman and wife.
a bunk beneath for the children, a stove.
locker and hanging table, with an extra
ordinary collection Of crockery and cook
ng utensils, considering the space, and
is a bench which is the parlor and
lining room by day and boudoir for a
grown up son OF daughter. or a male
crew, % at night.
Like the gipsies. the English canal folk
i've well, but everything is boiled. Hodge
1odges Of beef and herrings, with the veg
tables which are got for "A o or for the
along their pleasant way, are the
.avorite. More than two-thirds live in
heir own homes and, while still conduct
the boats, as families, the little cabins
IRE almost wholly in the nature Of tempo
airy accommodations for "A short Journey.
BESIDES fully One-third OF the bOatmen now
'wn their own boats, As with our own can
Another one-third hire boats az
ten shillings per week, supplying
heir own help, animals and food, and earn
ng good profits from their responsibility
labor. The remainder are owned bv
manufacturing concerns which employ
heir own bOatmen.
The dress Of these lowly people is quite
distinctive and often unique. The men are I
lways attired in flannel jackets and shirts.
pen az the neck, and with "A CANDY colored
r black handkerchief under their wide
pillars, similar 10 the London costermon-
ers; "A Oily COCK hat, or fur cap with visor .
b winter and summer; moleskin or fan
el trousers and heavy, hobnailed boots.
D the front IF which there must always be
leather tongue or flap, which falls down =
the foot. and which g. invariably deco
tied with all manner Of curious notches
ld puBctures. All the women and girls
ear flaming quilted calico hoods, similar ,
appearance 10 "A small, old fashioned \
bonnet Aprons match the hoods.
tiny red shawl, pinned al the throat by
massive brooch, falls over the shoulders.
be dress Is Of heavy wooien stuff, usually
lrk in color, with short petticoats. and
meath these appear high. navy" hob
lied boots. laced with stout leather
Undertaking is absolutely a
~perhuity.
girls and women steer the craft, and 81
e girls drive the animals, usually broken 2
cab horses OF asses, sitting astride. 4
1iy about thirty miles distance per day y
made, as the English canalboat always {
tables" for the night; and all 'reliefsD =
b are indicated by landmarks, such
tunnels, locks. inns and bridges, and are :
e made at stated hours. At the side Of
KuUlfah canal.~.v ~ fo--lNIa.r- r.