THAMES TALK.—A Forecast for 1896.
How greatly improved are the steamboats. They seem to be as good as any at home and abroad.
Quite so. They are simply floating palaces. You could find nothing to equal them in America.
So convenient to have a better class for those who can afford a few extra pence. Without this, we should have never seen that duchess chatting away with the countess in her own right.
Yes; and so pleasant to be able to get five o'clock tea nicely served by trim waitresses in a saloon upholstered with satins and ormolu.
And the duke and the viscount seem quite comfortable in the luxuriously furnished smoke-room.
Well, the sight is not surprising considering that the designer went to the Junior United Service Club for his model.
And yet the artisans are contented with their part of the vessel. It certainly was a happy thought to supply their cabins with bagatelle boards, dominoes, and a five guinea compendium of games.
In spite of the size of the vessels the boats travel at a rapid rate. No doubt this is attributable to the magnificent engines.
Of course. And really it is very pleasant to travel from Chelsea to Kew to the sounds of a first-rate Hungarian Band.
The commissariat, too, has not been neglected. The luncheon on board is worthy of the best traditions of the buffet at Calais. And as cheap. Only fancy, half-a-crown for three courses and dessert!
Yes; and that meal seems equally popular with the sixpenny tea (with cakes and crumpets) prepared for the patrons of the fore-part.
The fares are also very low. Even in these hard times it would be unreasonable to complain of overcharge when the ticket between the Temple and Hampton Court is only fourpence.
It is marvellous that no one tried the plan before of starting boats from half the piers for all the rest at five minutes interval.
And yet they are crowded with travellers. Really the Thames seems to be a very popular highway.
Naturally, when the passengers are sheltered from the weather—too much sun or a plethora of rain—at all times.
And I suppose London may thank the County Council for establishing comfort with economy, and luxury with rapidity?
Oh dear, no! If the metropolis had trusted to that dilatory body, it would have had to wait indeed!
Then to whom are the five million inhabitants of the chief city of the universe indebted for these sweet boons?
To an ordinary man of business who knows how to cater for the multitude, and has the courage to rely upon increased income as a means of meeting additional outlay.—He merits a statue.—He deserves more—hearty praise by the Press when he discards his incognito.