The Washington times., 1895-05-16
HOUSE BOATS ARE THE FAD
Latest Summer Amusement for the
Rich Folks Of Society.
Nice Way of Leaving Undesirable
Ncig hbors Beyond Calling Dis
tance without Giving Offense.

Fashionable society in this couutry:is to
have new amusement this summer-that
is. of course, the millionaire contingent
Whether or not thosememberso OF fashionable
society not blessed With millions will be
able to follow the fashion and indulge
their fancy i'll this respect is an open ques-
ton. II is plan likely to be adopted
for all it is worth by the Anglomaniacs as it
comes direct from England.
This Is the adoption of house boats in
which society is TO take various outings
during the summer, the length of such
outings along shore varying of course
according 20 the fancy of the momeut, no
less than the length OF the purse
The English house boat is somewhat diff
ferent from the species used at rare inter
walls in this country for several years. 1t
is in fact floating summer cottage fitted
up in the most luxurious manner. One of
the great recommendations in favor of
spending the summer Qua house boat is that
1t is In this way possible without giving
the least offense, to have neighbors at will
or to as suddenly vacate any one place in
bors may be located.
An English company has been organized
in this country for the building and rental
OF these boats The price To be asked is
5000 for the summer season and the number
OF rooms varies fICm eight TO eleven of
fairly good size. These are equipped
with all the conyenierces of a modern
house aud can be readily Iun with two
servants.
To build house boat an outlay OF So 900
is necessary. On the Pacific Coast these
floating summer homes have been used
by the moneyed contingent of society in
the far West, but this season win witness
the first of any thing like q concerted move
to have them used on the Atlantic Coast
Asthehouse boats are not builtWith h the idea
OF being propelled in any way, il is Eeces-
sary when it is desired to move them from
place to place to have them towed This
plan Will of course add to the general
picturesqueuess OF the summers outing
and will afford opportunity of travelling
in the most leisurely fashion possible in
addition TO the fact that q thorough knowl-
edge of the pretty districts of country
threaded by canals Will be obtainable.
The general idea, however, is to have
the house boats floated as much as possible
along the Atlantic Coast so that all CT
the fashionable resorts can be visited at
viii. Tiring of those. visits can be made
to as many places as desired in the river and
lake districts.
One of the first persons to have house
boat In Washington was the late Senator
kenna, who spent considerable time and
derived great amount of enjoyment from |
this novel mode of travel along the Potomac |
during the summer preceding his death. |
At first it was Intended only for the pleas |
lriug of himself and friends when a shoot |
ing expedition to some OF the resorts down |
the river was in order. Later finding how
pleasant trip could be made on this house |
boat, Senator kenna made frequent little |
Journeys of day or two at a time, TAX |
ng his family and friends down the river |
aud visiting pretty little coves and inlets |
with which the shore is indented all the way |
Town to the Chesapeake Bay.
1t will be Interesting to note who will |
De the first In society to take the initial steps
,f leasing one of the English house boats de-
'cribed for their summers outing.