Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/211

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third class), with sleeping accommodation, but without food, for which about another IDS. a day must be counted, unless the traveller imitates the emigrants and carries her own supplies. The first-class fare, including use of the sleeping carriage, is over /9. Railway travel in Canada costs about i^d. a mile, half as much again as in England, and the distances are so enormous that travelling comes expensive. To Australia the journey is also rather expensive, the five weeks at sea costing about /22 third class (the same to New Zealand) in a two -berth cabin, which is very much superior to steerage accommoda- tion to America, as there are not so many low-class Continental emigrants. Of course, however, the second class (from £^{o to £4^) is a great deal more comfortable if one can afford it. Australia has certain advantages over Canada, the climate is perpetual summer, and the people are less strenuous, and perhaps more inclined to welcome English people. I have been assured by an Australian that an English girl, who is good company and a really good musician, might visit for a year from one new set of friends to another without it costing her a penny. Perhaps this is too rosy a view, and, in any case, a sensible girl would prefer to set to work at once to earn her living, but it illus- trates the hospit- able, pleasure- loving nature of the Australian people. South Africa varies very much in its con- ditions. The fare runs from £1^ (third) and £2^ (second class) to Cape Town, to about ^5 more to Beira, and after that the railway fare has to be considered — £^ or so to Kimberley, £1^ to the Victoria Falls (second class). All these details can be obtained from the various steamship companies, and they must be borne in mind when counting the cost of emigration. The CDlonies are served respectively by the following principal steamship lines : Australia : P. & O., whose offices are : 122, Leadenhall Street, E.C. ; White Star, 38, Leadenhall Street, E.C. ; North German Lloyd, 2, King William Street, E.C. New Zealand : P. & O., White Star. Canada : Allan, 103. Leadenhall Street, E.C. ; Cunard, 93. Bishopsgate Street Within, E.C. South Africa : Aberdeen, 4, East India Avenue, E.C. ; Union-Castle, 3 and 4, Fen- church Street. E.C. 189 WOMAN'S WORK The ignorance of English people on the subject of colonial climates is quite monu- mental. Canada is looked upon as a frozen land, whereas the truth is that Canadians suffer terribly in England from the raw winter cold ! Canada is very hot in summer, and very cold in winter, but with a dry cold, which is not felt, even at extreme temperatures, as is muggy English weather, so Canadians assert. The houses are kept at an even temperature, so warm that women wear thin blouses all through the winter, putting on extra garments when they go out. Climate The AustraHan climate, like that of New Zealand and South Africa, is perpetual summer, occasionally rather hotter summer than the English emigrant appreciates. The South African climate is extraordinarily beneficial to people with any consumptive tendency, and all these colonies have very low death-rates. The air in Canada, especially, is "like wine," and women from The Homestead. Ca>ia</ia>i Pacijlc Rail-way A photograph being taken for the old folks at home the west have told me that they could hardly breathe or think when they first came to London because of the terrible oppression of the atmosphere. South Africa offers perhaps less scope for women to set up for themselves, but more opportunities of marriage, than the other colonies. It is, at present, a poorer country, living is more expensive. Kaffir servants, moreover, although they are cheap, are very unsatisfactory. Australians and Canadians, however, alike declare that one can live in either country as cheaply as in England when one has learned where to shop. Certain articles are more expensive, but others, notably food, are cheaper. Outfit The time has passed when it was necessary to take as complete an outfit for a colony as if one were going to a desert island. The clothes that do in England will serve equally there, and there are excellent shops.