Contributor.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 34, 18 November 1893, Page 9

Contributor.

(B W. H. Mathibson.)

FROM THE OLD WORLD TO THE NEW.

Adieu ! adieu ! my native shore Fades o’er the waters blue ! The wild winds sigh, the breakers roar. And shrieks the wild seamew. Yon sun that sets upon the sea We follow in his flight: Farewell awhile to him and thee. My native land—good night ! A few short hours, and he will rise To give the morrow birth, And I shall hail the wind and skit a, But not my mother earth ' —Byron. On Bth July, two days after the Royal marriage, I left for Southampton to catch my steamer for America. We got on board that night, and although we remained in the harbour nearly 24 hours we were not allowed to go on shore, although several gentlemen asked for permission. As I have already referred to this in another part of my letters, I will let this incident pass. I had the pleasure of going over the s.s. City of Paris, one of the largest and FINEST STEAMERS. AFLOAT. She is 560 ft. long, with 63ft. beam, 43ft. in depth, and of 10,498 tons capacity. She has three funnels, and her engines are of 20,000 horse-power. When steaming she requires 12 tons of coal an hour, or one ton every five minutes. The grandest internal feature of the Paris is beyond all doubt the first cabin dining saloon. This is located forward on the saloon deck. (I may say here that in all the new ships building now the saloon is placed forward). This is an apartment of noble proportions. It extends almost entirely across the ship, and tbe arched form of roof with its cathedral glass centre gives it a majestic outline which is possible under no other arrangement. This dining-room is 53ft. long by 20ft. high, and 430 persons can dine together. It is claimed that there is no dining-room in the best hotel in the world that can compare with it for the wealth of its decorations, and at night, when lighted by electricity, it presents a scene of splendour that it would be quite impossible to pourtray. I was charmed with her clear cut lines. I was told by her purser that he can find accommodation for 2,000 passengers. A steamer that can travel five days and make 508, 503, 505, and 530 knots in succession, and maintain an average speed of over 20 knots an hour, is a wonder. I was amused to see her put alongside the wharf. Her bows were tied up and three powerful tugs got on her broadside and rammed her into position with immense fenders on their bows to prevent them from scratching the paint. While in Southampton I witnessed

THE FIRST STRIKE PROSSESSION I have ever seen in my life. First came a brass band, tben the delegates in carriages, tben tbe rank and file respectably dressed, about 400 walkins: two abreast; then another band O ' and about the same number again; and tben a dirum and fife band. I looked at tbe men, and some appeared to feel heartily ashamed of themselves. On tbe outskirts of the procession were men collecting subscriptions, but. they did not appear to be getting much. I enquired of the most respectalde-looking man in the crowd as to the cause of tbe strike, and be

informed me that they were the carpenters and joiners striking for higher pay. I asked him did he think they were justified. He looked carefully round before he answered me, and then spoke in a low voice. He said that they were not: that the employers—such was the competition existing—were practically getting nothing for themselves, “ but/’ said he, “it is not the men’s fault. They are led away by those men you saw riding .in the carriages, and they follow them like a flock of sheep.” If it were the men only who would suffer for this it would not so much matter, but it will be the wives and children who will have to bear the brunt, and it is much 1 3 be regretted that in this enlightened nineteenth century some kss drastic measure than a strike cannot be made compulsory. I most certainly favour

ARBITRATION, and I look to this not only to settle trade disputes, but the more momentous disputes between nations. SOUTHAMPTON is a very nice seaport town, and has many objects of interest to a stranger. The scenery coming out is decidedly pretty. Along the right-hand side we passed the ruins of Hetley Abbey. This abbey was built in 1239 by the executors of the Bishop of Winchester, but many parts of it have long ago crumbled to dust. About half-a-mile further on, in marked contrast to the above, is seen the red brick Victoria Hospital. It is one of the most, most magnificent military infirmaries in the world, and is the chief centre of British army medical instruction. It is set in a beautiful park with nice clumps of trees for a background, and to give some idea of its size I wms told it was one mile and a-half round. A few miles further down we get a glimpse of OSBORNE CASTLE, the residence of Her Gracious Majesty the Queen, on the Isle of Wight. This is the fashionable popular seaside resort, and in the bathing season as is called (a terrace with a large number of very pretty seasideresidences) is crowded with the aristocracy. A few days before Ijiassed it there was a large yacht race, in, which the Prince of Wales competed —his yacht w r as second. As we approached the entrance to the harbour it gradually narrowed until it ended in a white chalky cliff over 200 ft. high, with a lighthouse on the extreme point of it called the Heedles. They are pinnacles uf chalk which have been detached by the ever-restless action of the sea. They are five in number, of which three rise boldly. The tallest of the fire, from which they take their name, fell in a storm in 1764. Its height was 120 ft., and it looked exactly like a lighthouse. They are of an intense white colour, being composed of a chalky sudstance, and in a clear day can be seen a long way out to sea. Ho doubt these cliffs, with the historical ones of Dover, gave rise to the name of “ The white cliffs of old England.” I left the old land with feelings of sincere regret. I would gladly have remained three xnontl g (To be Continued.)