Читать книгу An Australian Ramble; Or, A Summer in Australia онлайн

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At Naples we took up more passengers and more mountains of luggage. Our captain is in despair. That luggage question is the terror of his life. He says that there would be no need of it if the company would but establish a laundry on board; and why should they not? It would be a great convenience to everyone, and save a vast amount of trouble. The cabins are choked up with packages. It would be as pleasant again for the passengers if they could have their clothes washed on board.

I fear I did injustice to a dead royalty. I find, after all, it was simply the fault of the company’s agent at Naples that most of us spent an idle day in that far-famed city. The distinguished representative of the distinguished Cook informed us that the Museum and Pompeii were closed that day, because the agent of the company with whom he came on board informed him such was the case. I find that they were not, and that a small party of our fellow-travellers visited both places; had lunch on shore, returned to the ship to dinner, and paid a visit to the theatre in the evening for a sum under £1 per head. As you may suppose, most of us were highly indignant at the conduct of the company’s agent, and described him in terms that, with the fear of the libel law in view, it may be dangerous for me to report. I mention the fact that travellers may not be deceived by what they hear on board, but go on shore and act for themselves. Many of my fellow-travellers are Scotch. The Scotch, Mr. Charles Reade tells us, are icebergs with volcanoes underneath, and we had quite a volcano on board as we summed up the experiences of the unfortunate day. I own it served me right, for, as a rule, I only believe half that I hear. I ought to have started for Pompeii—by myself, trusting to luck to get into the place. I am glad, however, to be able to do justice to Cook and Sons, the friends of the traveller in every part of the world. It is seldom that they make a blunder, or their agents either.