MERICANS intending to visit Europe are not limited in their choice of conveyance. There are no less than twelve lines of steamers plying regularly between the United States and European ports. Among the ships composing them are many of the finest vessels ever

constructed.

Full information in relation to steamers will be found in the official advertisements of the companies, immediately following the Index at the end of this volume.

Tourists are recommended to take their berths as near amidships as possible, if they are not good sailors, always giving the preference to the bow before the stern. It is always well, if possible, to go over the ship and see the position of the state-rooms before engaging one, as a good deal of one's comfort at sea depends on having a well situated state-room. Tourists are also strongly advised, if possible, not to leave engaging their rooms till near the time of their departure. The present travel across the Atlantic has reached such large proportions, that in spite of the number of steamers sailing weekly the best rooms are generally engaged months ahead. The time the steamers are most crowded is from America during the spring and early summer, and from England during the late summer and autumn months, though for the last twelve months the passenger lists of the more favourite steamers have been full both out and home every passage.

An exceedingly pleasant variation to the outward or return voyage is to take one of the fine steamers of the Union SS. Co.'s Line to Baltimore, which call at the Bermudas, and give an opportunity of visiting these beautiful and interesting islands. This voyage has the advantage of generally commanding fair weather, as the steamers naturally must run a very southerly course.

A

USEFUL HINTS FOR THE PASSAGE.

RAVELLERS are recommended to get a steamer trunk or

Τ bag that will fit under the berth to contain the articles

required on the passage; the space between the floor and bottom of lower berth is generally about 15 inches. We also strongly recommend getting a "steamer chair," which will be found most useful on the voyage, especially if the weather be at all fine. All the steamers have bath-rooms, and those who desire their morning "tub" should, as soon as coming on board, register their name and the time at which they would like to take their bath with the barber or bath-room steward (whoever has charge of the baths), as the demand for the baths generally exceeds the supply. Travellers making the passage across the Atlantic, who are liable to sea-sickness, will do well not to put their trust in any of the so-called remedies for sea-sickness. Some of these may alleviate the trouble a little on a short passage, but no remedy, except that of becoming accustomed to the motion of the vessel, will cure seasickness on an Atlantic voyage, and the best thing the unfortunate sufferer can do is to brace up as well as he can, be as much as possible on deck, and live plainly; and, from long experience, we can assure timid travellers that it is very rarely mal-de-mer lasts more than the first day or two. The purser allots the places at table. We have so often been asked what the usual fees to stewards are that we think it well to inform travellers that, although fees are not compulsory, it is usual on the principal lines where the stewards have been attentive to fee the table steward 10s., the bedroom steward 10s., and the boots 2s. 6d.; or, in the case of ladies, the stewardess, instead of the bedroom steward, 10s., as she attends to the ladies' state-rooms. Also, the "hat" generally passed round among the frequenters of the smoking-room for the smoke-room steward.

is

Meals on board are usually: Breakfast, from 8.30 to 10 A.M. Lunch, 1 P.M. Dinner, 6 P. M. Light supper, to order, between 9 and 10 P.M. Bar closes at 11 P. M. Passengers do not "dress" for dinner.

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PASSPORTS.

Russia, Turkey, or Portugal. It is not essential elsewhere, in countries described in this work; but the author advises all travellers to be provided therewith. Its exhibition procures its possessor the entrée to many galleries and places of interest, which he could not otherwise see without difficulty or delay. It is useful as a means of identification at post-offices, and at the offices of strange bankers. Its cost is trifling, and it will be seen, from the directions we give, that it is very easily procured.

Directions for procuring American Passports.

One passport will be sufficient for husband, wife, and minor children; other members of a party, except servants, must have separate passports. The relationship between different members of the same family should be stated in the application.

To procure a passport, the applicant has only to transmit the following papers, by mail or otherwise, to the Secretary of State at Washington, requesting that a passport be made out and sent by mail to his address:

(1.) Applicant's affidavit of Citizenship, to be sworn to before a justice of the peace or notary public.

do swear that I was born at

..on or about the day of..

; that I am a (native-born or naturalized) citizen of the United

cents.

(Justice of the Peace, or Notary Public.

If the applicant is a naturalized citizen, his certificate of naturalization must accompany the affidavit. It will be returned to him with the passport.

and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the declaration

It will also be necessary to enclose the following oath of allegiance, sworn to in the same manner as the foregoing affidavits:

of

(3.) I, ..., do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution and Govern

ment of the United States against all enemies, whether domestic or foreign; and that I will bear true faith, allegiance, and loyalty to the same, any ordinance, resolution, or law of any State, Convention, or Legislature to the contrary notwithstanding; and farther, that I do this with a full determination, pledge, and purpose, without any mental reservation or evasion whatsoever; and farther, that I will well and faithfully perform all the duties which may be required of me by law. So help me God.

(Justice of the Peace, or Notary Public.)

Annexed to the application should be the following description of

the person :

(4.) Age

Stature

Forehead

Eyes

Nose

Mouth

Chin

Hair

Complexion
Face

No visa or other formality is necessary, after the passport is procured, until the traveller reaches Europe, when either at London or Paris he will procure the visa of the American Minister (if at London) or Consul (if at Paris), and afterwards that of the Minister of the country he proposes visiting-Russia or Portugal, as the case may be.

Directions for procuring British Passports.

1. Applications for Foreign Office Passports must be made in writing, and inclosed in a cover addressed to "The Chief Clerk, Foreign Office, London," with the word " Passport" conspicuously written on the cover.

2. The charge on the issue of a passport, whatever number of persons may be named in it, is 2s.; and if it is desired that the passport should be sent by post, that sum must be forwarded with the application for the passport by a post-office order, made payable at the post-office, Charing Cross, London, to the chief clerk at the Foreign Office. Postage stamps will not be received in payment.

3. Foreign Office passports are granted only to British-born subjects, or to such foreigners as have become naturalized, either by act of Parliament or by a certificate of naturalization granted by the Secretary of State for the Home Department. When the party is a "naturalized British subject "he will be so designated in his