64 
CLOTHING FOR THE TROPICS, 
quickly it is put on, how readily changed, how 
easily washed. A Dutch lady on board tells me 
that when a journey is contemplated, friends 
and neighbours lend linen both for personal 
and for household use for some time before 
departure, and so the traveller has the advan- 
tage of starting with everything clean. 
1 have learnt that any kind of clothing con- 
taining dye is objectionable, and also that for 
us, who are constantly travelling, quantities of 
linen clothing are a nuisance. It accumulates 
in the cabip for one thing, and when one comes 
to port and gives it out to be hastily washed, 
the destruction of all finer things is heart-break- 
ing, while every button is sacrificed. Besides, 
the starch used is either sour or gets so in the 
moist climate, and the elotlies have a most un- 
pleasant odour if shut up for any time in a box. 
It seems to me that clothing of pure undyed 
wool is most suitable. If you contemplate 
travel in the tropics, I should recommend you 
to study Dr Jaeger’s ‘Woollen System/ I 
should also recommend you to try to get a good 
native or, better, Chinese maid, A European 
would be of no use, besides that there is no 
proper accommodation either in hotels or on 
steamers for white servants. 
