The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1895-11-29
written for the Enquirer.
10 EUROPE AND BACK.
| | l..

ABOARD THE L. S. VI. S. PARIS,
En- ROUTE FOR SoUTHAMPToN, Eng,
September }rd, 1895
Mr.. EDITOR: i think there are but few
people who comprehend the magnitude of
y latter-day going vessel. They
are as Il matter of convenience and all that
goes to make such thing Il floating ho-
tel. The Paris Is Il magnificent specimen
Of naval architecture having Il tonnage of
| 900 pounds with Il length of 554 and a
breadth of 63 feet. She is the sister ship
of the New York, dear to the heart of
Americans because from her mast was let
loose to the wind, little more than two
years ago, the flag of our country, which
up to this time did not float from any trans
atlantic line of steamers of the New York
type operated solely by American capital;
England justly claims the title of mistress
of the sea, and even the Paris was built on
the Clyde, but the impetus given to Amer
lean shipbuilders within the past few years
and notably through ex-Secretary Whit
ney, during President Clevcland's former
administration, cannot fail to place this
country foremost among the great ship
building countries of the world. The i'm
mense yards of Cramp Bros, on the Della
ware, together with the spirited bidding
which now follows the knowledge that
new ships are contemplated, is an evidence
of this assertion; and say it with pride
that from the Columbian Iron w orks, Bal
timore have come two of the best cruisers
of their class ailoat-the Detroit and Mont
gomerv, both earning their contractor a
handsome bonus because of an attained
speed in excess of the contract require
ment But it is not my intention to speak
of ship building and cruisers, but of the
Paris, whose grandest internal feature is
the first cabin dining saloon with its arch
ed roof and cathedral glass centre In this
chamber 420 people may dine at one time,
and where is your hotel on land which
furnishes as large seating capacity? The
panclling of this room is frightened by
representations of sea-nymphs, dolphins
and tretons and the mythical marine COM
maids who arch themselves into fantastic
brackets. CoZy little alcoves are along the
side of the saloon and here those who pre-
fer it may enjoy the privacy of home-like
meal The dining saloon is best seen at
night under the brilliancy of its electric
light reflected by scalloped shells in burn
ished brass clever and ingenious conceit
of the electrician Just above this saloon
is the ladies urawin groom appointed with
great taste and II favorite apartment for
such as wish to rest with ease and comfort.
Beyond is the library with a central sky
light to enfuSe good light, invitingly com
Portable seats and shelves of judiciously
selected books of upward of 1000 volumes.
The smoking room affords ample space for
1870 gentlemen. Its walls are enpanelled
in American walnut and the upholstery is
of figured scarlet hide. At one end is Il
large bar. Upon the saloon and promel
ade decks are no fewer than 40 rooms set
apart in If suites, each of which consists
of edroom, sitting-room, private lava
tory and in most cases Il private bath. The
ship and is 100 yards in length. Placed on
the main deck, below the level of the din
ing saloon, is the kitchen entirely out of
sight Thus far have spoken of the best
accommodations there are others known
as second cabin but there is no lack of