Britain at Work
A Pictorial Description of Our National Industries

120 BARGE LIFE. Photo; Cassell & Co,, Ltd, A YOUNG BARGEE. behind him a heavily laden STEPPING O forward, slowly and steadily, and scarce q u ickening his pace, even when the whip cracks like a pistol- s h o t near him, an old horse plods meditatively on the canal tow-path. He is hauling barge which seems almost to glide over the water by its own volition, for sometimes the tow-rope hangs quite loosely between its gaily painted post in front and the old horse on the path. At the stern of the barge, near the little chimney from which light smoke is flying, stands a healthy and comely woman with a child in her arms, and on shore, beside her father, not far from the horse, trots a little girl. Here they all are, the bargee and his family, living on their barge, and conveying at the rate of about three miles an hour a heavy load of bricks to the heart of mighty London. Look in the little cabin at the stern of the boat, near which the good woman is standing. Your first impression would probably be of bright blue and red colours. A very gaudily depicted Windsor Castle might strike your eye from the wooden panelling, then a soldier in startling uniform, anon a mermaid, and then, perchance, a peacock in more brilliant dress than ever Dame Nature designed in her most lavish moods. Bargee and his family evidently like bright colours. But a cheery stove beams red and warm close to the hatchway door—a stove shaped something like an egg, its upper part narrow- ing to the pipe which rises as a chimney without. Beyond the stove extends a set of cupboards, and opposite, on the right hand as we enter, stretches a broad seat on which a bed can be spread at night; in front of us, at the end of the cabin, between the cup- boards and the broad seat, projects a smaller seat, where probably the chubby children may rest their healthy limbs. A bright brass lamp, polished to shine like gold, gleams near the stove, a few cooking utensils hang here and there, and a small clock ticks loudly, making—like some persons —great noise for such a little thing. The cabin is the bargee’s home, and it reminds us of the tiny kitchen of a well-kept cottage, with, of course, certain characteristic differences, due to the fact that it is built on a floating craft. In spite of apparent dis- advantages, the bargee, as a rule, prefers his home and his life to a London lodging'. And it is doubtful if he is unwise in his preference, for really his cabin, with the fresh air he can always obtain outside, is surely better than many a city slum. In fine weather the life of a bargee is, no doubt, pleasant enough, as he glides smoothly through the quiet country, bathed in the bright sunshine and the fresh air, and surrounded by the song of birds. But his life has other aspects, as when he voyages through a dreary manufacturing or mining district, when rains fall heavily and the wind is cruel, when snow lies thick on the tow-path, and ice hampers or blocks entirely the passage of his boat. Yet the liking of bargee for his calling is genuine enough. I here are varieties of bargees as of other folk, and not all of them may present the picture just described. The tendency in these days is for a number of barges to be owned by one firm, and some of the proprietors will not permit women and children on their boats, only unmarried men or widowers are employed, or, should a man have a wife and young family, they must dwell ashore. On the other hand, some large barge-owners permit the wives and families to dwell on the boats, subject to the regulations of the law ; and barges may still be found which are