Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-14

abolished the former abominable disease
breeding and carrying character OF the tiny
crafts. 1t brought all the 10000 canal
boat children under the education act, so
that by a system of passbooks they were
enabled to attend any school where they
might be temporarily tarrying. 1t abol-
ished, by inspection on the part of local
authorities, ali possibility of improper re-
| lations of canal boat folk who had hereto
| fore been under no authority and surveil-
lance. 1t limited the number of occupants
in the diminutive cabins, and it resulted
in placing three-tourths 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 marvel
Gus character
All the English midland canals are of far
less capacity than our own. The bottoms
are in the form of an inverted arch; and the
locks are only seven feet wide. Conse-
quentlv canal boats here are very diminu-
tive They are usually only from % to 30
ton boats; 6 feet and inches wide, 65 feet
long, and with only ) feet Of keel. The
cabins are therefore scarcely one-fourth the
size of those of our boats. They are only. 5
feet wide and high and feet long. From
8 to feet of their height protrudes above
the deck The exposed sides are always
covered with most wonderful paintings rep
resenting the highest expression of art
among these lowly folk; and dog-kennel
invariably surmounts the decorated cabin
top. Within this 200 cubic feet ofspace are
a bed for the boatman and wife; bunk be-
meath for the children: a stove, locker and
hanging table, with an extraordinary col
lection of crockerr and cooking utensils
considering tn space: and opposite, is
bench which is the parlor and dining room
bv day, and boudoir for a grown-up son or
daughter, or male ''crew," at night.
Living on Boiled Dishes.
Like the Gipsies, the English canal folk
live well, but everything is boiled. Hodge
podges of beet and herrings, with the vege-
tables which are got for a song, or for the
pulling, along their pleasant way, are the
favorite. In former times, when their con-
dition was more heathenish, their food, and
all canal boat family affairs, were on level
with beasts. They are now more intelli-
gent, independent, and as a consequence bet
ter paid. More than two-thirds live in
their own homes, and while still conducting
the boats, as families, the little cabins are
almost wholly in the nature of temporary
accommodations for a short journey. Be-
sides fully one-third of the boatmen now
own their own boats, as with our own canal
ers. About one-third hire boats at about
10 shillings per week. supplying their own
profits from their responsibility and labor.
The remainder are owned by manufacturing
concerns, which employ their own boatmen.
The dress of these lowly people is quite
distinctive and often unique. The men are
always attired in flannel jackets and shirts,
open at the neck and with a gaudy colored,
or black. handkerchief under their wide
collars similar TO the London costermong-
ers; a billv-cock hat, or fur cap with visor |
in winter and summer; moleskin or flannel |
trousers: and heavy hob-nailed boots, in the |
front of which there must always be a |
leather tongue or flap, which falls down |
over the foot, and which is invariably deco |
rated with all manner of curious notches |
and punctures. All the women and girls |
wear flaming quilted calico hoods, similar |
in appearance to q small old-fashioned 'sun !
bonnet" Aprons match the hoods A |
tiny red shawl, pinned at the throat by |
brooch. falls over the shoulders. |
The dress is of heavy woolen stuff, usually ,
dark in color, with short petticoats: and be-
meath these appear high navy" hob-nalled |
boots laced with stout leather thongs. Un-
derclothing is absolutely superiuity.
Work of the Women.
The girls and the women steer the craft,
and drive the animals, usually broken-down
,ab horses, or asses, sitting astride. Only
lbout 30 miles distance per day is made, as
he English canal boat always stables for
he night; and an "reliefs'' of labor are in
Heated by landmarks, such as tunnels, locks,
ms and bridges, and are not made at stated
lours. At the side of every English canal
re found little inns, no more than mile