The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-25

and Mrs. Vanderbilt went to Europe on
the Dominion line steamer New England,
sailing from Boston, and returned on the
Mayf1ower. of the same line. On the east
ward voyage they occupied suite Of four
staterooms, dining room and bathroom;
furnished for the travellers. the dining room
being fitted up as a sitting room and the
four staterooms furnishing quarters for the
bridal pair, the valet and the maid.
Notwithstanding the arrangements that
had been made 10 mt up rooms especially 10
suit them, Mr.. and Mrs. Vanderbilt changed
during the voyage TO one of the large state
rooms on the saloon deck of the steamer.
which is fitted like a luxurious bedroom In
a luxurious hotel On their return they oc-
cupied a suite made up OF four staterooms,
two of which were thrown together to form
a sleeping chamber. which was furnished
with costly brass bedstead, bought on MI
Vanderbilt's order, and with other appoint
ments to match. Two other rooms, similar
ly made into one, were fitted up as sitting
room by the Introduction OF tables. lounging
chairs and convenient electric lights. In ad-
dition to these rooms they had special din
ing room on. the upper promenace deck In
the house where the captain Of the vessel
has his quarters. 1t was on this trip that
Mr. Vanderbilts luggage, consisting OF for
ty-three trunks and bags. enriched the Gus
toms by $1,000. the largest sum ever PAID IN
personal duties in the port OF Boston.
This instance. perhaps, serves TO indicate
the height of luxury in which one may cross
the Atlantic If IL is desired, but II Is seldom
that even the wealthiest or mos, ols,ln-
tensve and expensive as Mr.. and Mrs VAN
derbilt on this particular trip.
THE DEMOCRACY OF OCEAN TRAVEL.
Many travellers have little personal pecul-
iarities which they indulge on shipboard.
either as a matter Of necessity or OF desire.
For example. Joseph Pulitzer. founder or
the new school or journalism at Columbia
University. is very nervous man, and II
is necessary on the occasion Of his numer-
Gus trips to Europe to put down mats on
the deck outside the stateroom TO minimize
as far as possible the ordinary deck noises
Another well-known man who has been
prominent in national AFFAIRS Tor many
years has contracted the hot-water napil
as a result of some stomach trouble For
this reason, when ne goes on board snip ne
tips his steward literally, and gives IN
structions that the latter Is to hunt MIN UP
at certain hours wherever he may be or
whatever he may be doing and give MIN MS
prescribed glass OF hot water Another man.
who is very prominent IN the inuusu,al
world has a passion for flowers, which he
INDUCES freely on shipbosrd. Before ne
sails supply OF cut flowers Is sent 20 tnc
liners COOLING boxes, and every Gay ne
room and on his table. Then there are
many travellers who take along with tneni
articles in the line OF eating arnsns s ds-
voted. This. however Is an idiosyncrasy
which is by no means confined 10 persons
of prominence, although IL may pe mcls NO.
common among them for the reason that
they are in a better position to pander 10 IL
than the average traveller.
Two good reasons exist for the natural
disappearance on shipboard of the dis
finctions that exist elsewhere between the
average run OF humanity and the nnan-
cially and socially elect. For one tning,
TO a point where il leaves little TO De
desired, even by the most fastidious per-
sons. The cuisine, the service. ana the
are as perfect as the wealthiest tourist Is
accustomed to on shore. In railway traSea
the man in the private car has many al
vantages over the ordinary passenger. put
i'm sea travel nothing else equals the
liners I'm comfort, convenience, ana speed
The most luxurious yacht compares unS
OF an ocean voyage, and yacht owners
who take their vessels across the ocean
usually travel themselves by one or tho
big ships. When Mr.. Cornelius Nanoerpilt
ing for several months in European waters
returned recently, they made the Atlantic
en- excen ~ Mr. Vanderbilt himself. who IL
e yachting enthusiast. and VINO came over
IN his own craft. second reason Is that
the spirit OF sea travel has always oeen one
ssSteamship acquaintance. like summer
Irritation does not involve any obligations
beyond the end OF the voyage. ana the
ENCOURAGES the friendly intercourse and
democratic sociability which make an ocean
VOYAGE SO delightful an experience.
Perhaps the democracy OF ocean travel
cannot be better illustrated than by
concert that the writer recalls on board
the Oceanic, on one OF the earliest voy-
ages shortly after that magnificent speci-
men OF ocean architecture was first put
into commission The concert was pre-
sided over by the venerable Lord Paunce-
fote the late British ambassador at
Washington Andrew Carnegie gave
short talk. which was sandwiched In be,
tween a song by a variety favorite ana
another by a salesman for a firm OF Brad
ford spirners. An English duke. since
married 10 an American heiress, played
the piano. and the collection for the sea-
mans fund was taken by well-known
society woman and a favortte actress
Imagine such gathering on land II you
can.