I.
Money. Expenses. Season. Custom House. Time.
Money.In
Great Britain alone of the more important states of Europe the currency
is arranged without much reference to the decimal system. The ordinary
British Gold coins are the sovereign or pound (l. = libra)
equal to 20 shillings, and the half-sovereign. The Silver coins
are the crown (5 shillings), the half-crown, the florin (2 shillings),
the shilling (s. = solidus), and the six-penny and three-penny pieces.
The Bronze coinage consists of the penny (d. = denarius),
of which 12 make a shilling, the halfpenny (½ d.), and the
farthing (¼ d.). The Guinea, a sum of 21s.,
though still used in reckoning, has been out of circulation as a coin since
about 1820. A sovereign is approximately equal to 5 American dollars, 25
francs, 20 German marks (pre-war), or 24 1/2 Austrian crowns (pre-war).
The Bank of England issues notes for 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pounds,
and upwards. These are useful in paying large sums, but for ordinary use,
as change is not always readily procured, gold is preferable. The number
of each note should be taken down in a pocket-book, as there is a bare
possibility of its being in this way traced and recovered, if lost or stolen.
Foreign
Money does not circulate in England, and should always be exchanged
on arrival. A convenient and safe mode of carrying money from America or
the Continent is in the shape of letters of credit, or circular notes,
which are readily procurable at the principal banks. The travellers' cheques
issued by the American Express Company or the circular notes of Messrs.
Cookmay be found convenient also.
A larger sum than will suffice for the day's expenses should never be carried
on the person, and gold and silver coins of a similar size (e.g. sovereigns
and shillings) should not be kept in the same pocket.
Expenses.The
cost of a visit to London depends, of course, on the habits and tastes
of the traveller. If he lives in a first-class hotel, dines at the table-d'hôte,
drinks wine, frequents the theatre and other places of amusement, and drives
about in cabs or flys instead of using the economical train or omnibus,
he must be prepared to spend 30-40s. a day or upwards. Persons of
moderate requirements, however, will have little difficulty, with the aid
of the information in the Handbook, in living comfortably and seeing the
principal sights of London for 15-20s. a day or even less.
Season.
The 'London Season' is chiefly comprised within the months of May, June,
and July, when Parliament is sitting, the aristocracy are at their town-residences,
the greatest artistes in the world are performing at the Opera, and the-
picture exhibitions are open. Families who desire to obtain comfortable
accommodation had better be in London to secure it by the end of April;
single travellers can, of course, more easily find lodgings at any time.
Custom
House.
Almost the only dutiable articles likely to be in the possession of ordinary
travellers are spirits (including perfumed spirits) and tobacco, but half-a-pint
of the former and ½1b. of the latter (including cigars) are usually
passed free of duty if duly declared and not found concealed. Passengers
from the Channel Islands are allowed only half these quantities. On larger
quantities duty must be paid at the rate of 12s. 4d. to 19s.
1d. per gallon of spirits and 3s. to 5s. 6d.
per pound of tobacco. A small fine is leviable also on packets of tobacco
or cigars weighing less than 80lbs.; but a quantity of 7 lbs. from non-European
ports or 3 lbs. from European ports outside the Straits of Gibraltar are
passed without fine. Chocolate and sweetmeats of all kinds also are dutiable.
Foreign reprints of copyright English books are confiscated. The custom
house examination is generally lenient. - Dogs are at present allowed to
land in Great Britain only on condition that they shall be detained and
isolated under the care of a veterinary surgeon for six months. The importation
of firearms and explosives is forbidden.
Time.
Uniformity of time throughout Great Britain is maintained by telegraphic
communication with Greenwich Observatory.
II.
Routes to England from the United States and Canada.
The
data in the following lists refer to the summer-services of the various
steamship companies, but the times and fares are liable to alteration.
On the more popular routes and at the most frequented seasons it is desirable
to secure berths and storerooms in advance. Fares are reduced during the
winter season (Nov. lst to March 31st), and children between 1 and 10 years
of age are generally charged half-fare (between 1 and 12. in the second
cabin).
Of
recent years there has been a rapid increase in the size of transatlantic
passenger steamers; and while the vessels of any of the undermentioned
companies afford comfortable accommodation, some of the newest and largest
steamers are fitted up with palatial magnificence, with lifts between the
various decks, restaurants á la carte, wireless-telegraph installations,
etc. It is worth noting that the largest and swiftest steamers are said
not always to be the most comfortable for indifferent sailors.
ATLANTIC
PASSAGE.
Cunard
Line.
A steamer of this company starts every Sat. and every alternate Tues. from
New York and every alternate Tues. from Boston for Southampton. Cabin fare
75-175 dollars; second cabin 42½-57 dollars. Steamers from Southhampton
for New York every Sat., for Boston every alternate Tuesday, Fare 12-50l.,
second cabin 9l.-15l. London offices, 93 Bishopsgate Street
and 29 Cockspur Street, Charing Cross. Chief steamers: ‘Mauretania’ (31,900
tons), ‘Aquitania’ (45,600 tons), ‘Berengaria’ (formerly ‘Imperator’, 52,000
tons), the largest and finest steamers on the Atlantic; 'Caronia', 'Saxonia',
etc.
The
five lines immediately following all belong to the International Mercantile
Marine Co. (the 'American Combine’), with combined offices at 1 Cockspur
St., S.W., and 38 Leadenhall St., B.C.
White
Star Line.
Every Thurs. in summer (fortnightly Jan.-March) from New York to Queenstown
and Liverpool and vice versa. Cabin from 82½ dollars, second
cabin from 45 dollars. - Steamers: 'Baltic’, (24,000 tons), 'Cedric’ 'Celtic'
(each 21,000 tons). - From New York to Southampton and vice versa,
every Wed., via Cherbourg and Queenstown on the E. voyage, via Cherbourg
on the W. voyage. Cabin from 92½ dollars, second cabin from 41½
dollars. ‘Olympic’ (45,300 tons), ‘Majestic’ (formerly ‘Bismarck’, 56,500
tons), ‘Homeric’ (formerly ‘Columbus’, 35,000 tons). - From Boston to Liverpool,
and vice versa, once or twice a month. Cabin from 72½ dollars,
second cabin from 40 dollars. 'Republic (15,400 tons), Cymric'.
United
States Line.
Every Sat. from New York to Southampton and vice versa, calling
at Plymouth (eastbound only) and Cherbourg (in both directions).Cabin
from 92½ dollars, second cabin from 47 dollars. ‘Leviathan’ (formerly
‘Vaterland’, 55,000 tons),'St. Louis', 'St. Paul', 'Philadelphia', and
'New York’. - From Philadelphia to Liverpool every Sat., returning every
Wed. (no first cabin; second cabin from 8l. 10s. or 42 dollars).
‘Haverford’, 'Merian', 'Noordland'. (Note: in compliance with the Prohibition
Laws alcohol is not served aboard these ships).
Dominion
Line.
From Quebec and Montreal in summer, and from Portland (calling at Halifax
westbound) in winter, to Liverpool, and vice versa, weekly. Saloon
from 131. or 65 dollars, second cabin from 8l. 10s.
or 42½ dollars. 'Albany', 'Alberta' (14,000 tons), 'Canada’, ‘Kensington’.
Leyland
Line.
From Boston to Liverpool and vice versa every Sat. (from Boston
in winter on Wed.). Saloon passengers only; fare from 13l. 10s.,
or 67½ dollars. 'Devonian' (10,400 tons), 'Winifredian’ (10,400
tons), 'Canadian', 'Bohemian'.
Atlantic
Transport Line.
From New York to London and vice versa every Sat. (from London in
winter on Thurs.). Saloon passengers only; fares from 131. 12s.
6d. or 68 dollars. 'Minnehaha’, 'Minneapolis', 'Minnetonka’ (each
13,400 tons).
Note:
service on the North German Lloyd Line has been suspended indefinitely
North
German Lloyd Line.
From New York to Plymouth every Tues. and Thursday. From Southampton to
New York every Wed. and Sunday. Fares (New York to London from 95 dollars,
second cabin from 54 3/4 dollars) vary greatly according to season, steamer,
and position of stateroom. London offices, 2 King William Street, E.O.,
and 32 Cockspur Street, W.C. At Southampton passengers are conveyed to
the liners in steam-tenders. ‘Kronprincessin Cecilie' (20,000 tons), 'Kaiser
Wilhelm II.’ (19,300 tons), ’KronprinzWilhelm’(16,000 tons), 'George Washington'
(27,000 tons).
Note:
service on the Hamburg-American Line has been suspended indefinitely
Hamburg-American
Line.
From New York to Dover and Cuxhaven every Sat. in summer (less often in
winter). Saloon from 90 dollars; second cabin from 65 dollars. From Dover
to New York every Fri. in summer (less often in winter), and from Dover
to New York every Mon. in summer (less often in winter). Saloon from 18l.;
second cabin from 101. 7s. London 14 Cockspur Street, S.W.,
81 Strand, W.C., and 78 Gracechurch Street, E.C. – ‘Imperator’ (52,000
tons), ‘Vaterland’ (55,000 tons), ‘Bismarck’ (56,500 tons), 'Kaiserin Augusta
Viktoria' (25,500 tons), 'Amerika' (22,200 tons).
Anchor
Line.
Steamers between New York and Glasgow every Sat.; fares from 101.
London Office, 4 St Mary Axe, E.C. 'Caledonia' (9200 tons), 'California',
'Columbia'.
Canadian
Pacific Railway
('C. P. R.'). Steamers belonging to this company ply from Montreal every
Thurs. in summer, from St. John every Sat. in winter, forLiverpool, returning
every Fri. or Tuesday. Saloon-fare from 45, second cabin from 37 dollars.
Offices, 62 Charing Cross, S.W., and 67 King William St., E C. 'Empress
of Britain', (14,500 tons), 'Lake Manitoba’.
Allan
Line.
From Quebec and Montreal in summer, and from St. John and Halifax in winter,
to Liverpool and vice versa, almost weekly. Cabin from 60, second cabin
from 37½ dollars. Steamers also to Glasgow from Boston, from Montreal
and Quebec (from Portland in winter), and from St. John’s (Newfoundland)
or Philadelphia. London Offices, 5½ Pall Mall, S.W. and 103 Leadenhall
St., B.C. - Victorian', 'Virginian' (12,000 tons each), 'Corsican' (11,500
tons).
ADVICE
The
average duration of the passage across the Atlantic is 5-9 days. The best
time for crossing is in summer. Passengers should pack clothing and other
necessaries for the voyage in small flat boxes (not portmanteaus), such
as can lie easily in the cabin, as all bulky luggage is stowed away in
the hold. Stateroom trunks should not exceed 8 ft. in length, 1½-2
ft. in breadth, and 16 inches in height. Trunks not required on board should
be marked 'Hold' or 'Not Wanted', the others 'Cabin' or 'Wanted'. The steamship
companies provide labels for this purpose. Dress for the voyage should
be of a plain and serviceable description, and it is advisable, even in
midsummer, to be provided with warm clothing. Ladies should not forget
a thick veil. A deck-chair, which may be purchased (from 6-7s. upwards)
or hired (3-4s.) at the dock or on the steamer before sailing, is
a luxury that may almost be called a necessary. Bought chairs should be
distinctly marked with the owner's name or initials, and may be left in
charge of the Steamship Co.'s agents until the return-journey. Seats at
table, retained throughout the voyage, are usually assigned by the Saloon
Steward immediately after starting; and those who wish to sit at a particular
table or beside a particular person should apply to him. It is usual to
give a fee of 10s. (2½ dollars) to the table-steward and
to the stateroom steward, and small gratuities are also expected by the
boot-cleaner, the bath-steward, etc. The stateroom steward should not be
'tipped' until be has brought all the passenger's small baggage safely
on to the landing-stage or tender. On arriving, passengers usually remain
on board the steamer until all the baggage has been placed in the custom-house
shed. Here the owner will find his property expeditiously by looking for
the initial of his surname on the wall. The examination is generally soon
over. Porters then convey the luggage to a cab (3d. for small articles,
6d. for a large trunk). - Baggage may now be 'expressed' from New
York to any city in Europe (among the chief express companies, all in Broadway,
are: Adams Express Co., No. 69, American Express Co., No.
65; United States Express Co., No. 19; Wells Fargo & Co.,
No. 51). Agents of the English railway -companies, etc., meet the Steamers
on arrival in England and undertake to 'express' baggage on the American
system to any address given by the traveller.
RAILWAY
CONNECTIONS
From
Liverpool to London there are five different railway routes (192½-240
M., in 4-8 hrs.; fares by all trains 29s., 20s. 8d.,
16s. 6d.; no second Class by Midland or Great Northern
Railways). The Midland Railway (to St. Pancras Station) runs
by Matlock, Derby, and Bedford. The route of the London and North Western
Railway (to Huston Station) goes via Crowe and Rugby. A special service,
for Atlantic passengers by the large liners, runs from the Riverside Station
on the landing-stage to Euston Station in 3 3/4 hrs. The Great Central
Railway (to Marylebone Station) runs via Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester,
and Rugby. By the Great Western Railway (to Paddington Station)
we may travel either via Chester, Birmingham, Warwick, and Oxford; or via
Hereford and Gloucester; or via Worcester. Or, lastly, we may take a train
of the Great Northern Railway (to King's Cross Station), passing
Grantham and Peterborough. - The following are comfortable hotels at Liverpool:
North
Western Hotel, Lime Street Station; Adelphi, near Central Station;
Lancashire
& Yorkshire, at the Exchange Station; St. George, 51 Dale
Street; Shaftesbury Temperance Hotel, Mount Pleasant.
From
Southampton to London, by South Western Railway to Waterloo station
(79 M., in 13 ¾ to 3½ hrs.; fares 13s., 8s.
2d., 6s. 6d.) Hotels at Southampton: South Western;
Radley’s; Royal; Dolphin; Polygon House; Flower’s Temperance.
From
Plymouth to London, by Great Western Railway to Paddington Station,
or by South Western Railway to Waterloo Station (227 or231 M., in
4¼-7 ¼ hrs; fares 37s. 4d., 23s. 4d.,
18s. 8d.). Hotels at Plymouth: Grand; Duke of Cornwall;
Royal; Chubb's, Albion; Westminster Temperance.
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