Life In The Steerage

A Wrlteí in the April Ouling puts in a pica for tlie steerage, and adrises individúala or families to whoni "expcnditurc is in any important (logree a consideration" to travel by tliat nieans, as tliey can get to their destination at the ! rate of $3 a day in.stead of at $10 a day. j "The romance of travel, liko the I manee of life, is the rough side of it, " this writer s.iys. "Why not regard an experienoe in tho stcerajro as a sea picnic or a bit of mariue rustication?" A gentleman who matlo a trip in the steernge of an ocean steámsliip "just for fnn" read the article in Outinq with roucb interest "I wonder if the writer j ever tried a steerage p'.ssage?" he ! .s:ül lo a reporter for tliis paper. "I ! think not. The chances are tliat lie i hus inercly stood on the 'bridge' and watehed the steerage victiius in their pleasanter odd moments, when thoy aro tillo. ved on deck, and are jo.ous in fcheir temporary release froin tbeirdark uiprisonmcul below. Certainly no man who bad ever boen a sleerage passenger in reality wonkl recommeiul sucb an experiment to any but a lost soul who had only tliat nicuns of escape fioni sonie dread calamity. A steorage passage! Great heavens! Does the writer realizo tbc full meaning of bis adviceP Now let me teil you wbat a steorage is like. A long, low, dark room, dimly illuininatud during the ilay by straggling rays througb the thick "head lights," against which tlio waters swash cotitinually, and at night by a sruoky lantern whose cheerless rays only add to tho checrless gloom. A tong broad table, a few round stools const.tuto the only furniture. Along the sidc-s are ranged two or llireo tiers of opi'ii bnnks against the damp ship timbers, for the room is moslly bulow tlic water line. llore are gatbered promlsouously men, womeo, and ehildien, herdcd togetlier like animáis rathoi tlian human bëings in thelr miserable quai'ters, md In thoir foroed confinment modes ty is soon forgotten, The ventilation at best is but scant, and the exhalations from , the persplring bodie.s and their not overclean gurments, togethor w'th thu reeking timbers, the odur of pitch, the musty beddings, the sleam from the food and tho fumes from oíd tobáceo pipes, ronder tho atmosphere foul, stilling, and uauseating in the extreme, which is by no means clarified ia caso of violent wcather when sickness is common. The only escape from the uninviling pen is when the victims are allowed on deck. In ploasaut weather liíu on deck is enjoyable and full of interest. "The menu of the steerage usually inoludes soup in tin kutiles, coarse meats, hasb, ill boiled potatoes, and broken bread from the cabin table. 'Phis food is served'in tin dishpans. Tea and coll'ee are passed ai'onnd in buckets, the principal difl'erence between them being that tlie tca is less tluck and mudily ihan tlie coffee. The whole mess is slung pcll-meU on the tabla and the passengera make adive and grab. The nuiuber of tin plates and cups, iron knives and forks, and tin spoons is liniited. He or sho who fuils to secure a supply of dishes at the Jirst grab must simply wait until soiuo luckicr individual ünishes. Thcre being; no possible opportunitj to wash tho utcnsils, tUey must be used as they are, except such cleaning as could bo doue by scraping oft' with the knifo. Tlien there is another matter that claims attcnt'on. No faeilities are provided for bathing. ïlie steorage passengei- may wash lus hands and face in the common wnshdish on deck, but that's all. Undei' saoh coiulitions bugs and vermin tlnive npaoe, and the less one is inclín ed to tolérate them tho more thoy aru deteiniincd to grow intímate, and their inerease is only determiaed by the length of the voyage." -