SELBORNE SOCIETY XOTICES 
99 
oak, while the drawing room is panelled with bleached Italian walnut and satin- 
wood. The second saloon rooms are but little inferior to the first, and the very 
liberal allowance of deck space for both classes for exercise and amusement is 
especially noticeable. The Selbotnians were shown the method of closing the 
watertight compartments, and many, braving the steep ladders and the oil, pene- 
trated to the engine and boiler rooms, and went along the tunnels wherein run 
the twin screw shafts. The ladies were particularly interested in the e.xcellent 
galley and pantry arrangements for the different classes. 
One very striking feature is the comfortable (piarters that are allotted to the 
steerage passengers ; cabin space naturally is much less than in the saloons, but 
the comfortable dining room forms a great contrast to what steerage passengers 
in the past had to suffer. Then they were herded together like sheep, they were 
supplied with rough benches and coarse food on tin plates, which they themselves 
had to wash and store, now they sit at comfortable tables covered with white 
napery and decorated with flowers, and have a four-course dinner served by 
deft-handed stewards. 
The curiosity of the Selbornians being now satisfied, they were invited to the 
great dining saloon, where they were entertained to tea by the Cottrpany, while 
the male members of the party also enjoyed the hospitality of the officers in the 
smoking room. 
The great pleasure the Selbornians had experienced was expressed by the 
Honorary Excursion Secretary, who proposed a cordial vote of thanks to the 
Company and the Managers of the line, coupling with them the names of 
Mr. Mathieson, Third Officer, and Mr. Astley, who had so efficiently carried out 
all the arrangements for the comfort of the visitors. 
This was carried by hearty acclamation and was acknowledged by Mr. 
Mathieson. The party then proceeded to the station and reached London just 
before 7 o’clock. The London, Tilbury and Southend Railway Company pro- 
vided reserved carriages on both the outward and homeward journeys. 
Thus pleasantly concluded the Winter Excursions of 1907-8. 
FORTHCOMING EVENTS. 
CouNCii. AND Committee Meetings. 
Monday, May 18. — General Purposes Committee at 5.30 p.m. 
Tuesday, May 26. — Council Meeting at 5.30 p.m. 
Excursions. 
Satio-day, May 2. — Farthing Downs and Devilsden Woods. Meet at 
Coulsdon Station on arrival of train leaving Charing Cross 2.12, Cannon .Street 
2.12, London Bridge (S.E.Ry.) 2.18 p.m. Passengers from Cannon Street 
change at Purley. Return ticket, 2s. Tea at the “ Fox,” Coulsdon Common, 
IS. Guide, Mr. II. IL Poole. 
Saturday, May g.— Sii\a\Uoid, London Colney and Hatfield. Train leaves 
King’s Cross (G. N. Ry.) at 2.30 p.m.. Take half-day return tickets to Hatfield 
<is. Qd.), at Hatfield take single ticket to Smallford (3d.). Tea at Kemp’s, 
White House, London Colney. Guide, Mr. Ernest A. Nash. 
Saturday, May 16. — Ramble round Leatherhead and Mickleham. Take 
cheap return tickets to Leatherhead, 2s. Train leaves London Bridge (L.B. & 
S.C. Ry. ), at 1.50 p.m., but the time must be verified from the excursion hand- 
bills issued in May. Guide, Mr. A. B. Wilkinson. 
Saturday, May 23. — Gorhambury Park and ruins of Lord Bacon’s house near 
St. Albans, by special permission of the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Verulam. Tea at 
cottage in the Park. Take cheap half-dav excursion ticket to .St. Albans 
(L. & N.W.Ry.), 2s. return. Train leaves Euston at 1.45 p.m., Willesden at 
1.57, arriving at .St. Albans at 2.45. Enquire if change has to he made at Watford. 
Return trains 8. 1 5 and 9. 1 5 Guide, Mr. W. Percival Westell, F. L.S., M. B. O. U. 
Saturday, May 30. — Joint Botanical ramble with the Barnet Natural History 
.Society and Field Club to Arkley Green Lane. Train leaves King’s Cross 
(Met. Ry.), at 2.14 p.m. Change at p'inshury Park. Take return ticket to 
High Barnet, is. 3d. Members only and number strictly limited. Members 
