FELLOW TRAVELLER
Sta,—As a regular reader of The Spectator and one who has especially enjoyed the articles of D. W. Brogan, I was much interested in his contribution, Douleurs de Voyage, in your issue of December 24th.
Having been a fellow first-class passenger in the ' Queen Elizabeth' returning to this country on the same voyage which the Professor refers to, I am more than interested. That the Q.E.' is somewhat garish, I completely agree, but, despite also taking sleeping tablets, I found sleeping in a " bed " (not a " bunk ") a difficult experience during heavy seas. Though a thoughtful steward arranged a zareba of willows,
remaining in " bed" was somewhat of an accomplishment, and I felt envious of those with less sumptuous accommodation. Professor Brogan refers lightly to the tedious routine of ship-board entertainment. That bored and harassed pursers should have to spend each evening organizing childish amusements, such as horse racing or the well-known soldiers' game of " House" (disguised under the name of " Keno "), seems some- what unimaginative ; are travellers of education and intelligence not able to provide such entertainment as they consider amusing, according to their various tastes ? With the luxury and over-abundance of food provided, the wastage must be enormous, for neither the shrunken stomachs of Britons, nor the healthy appetites of Americans, can possibly cope with the menus provided, and the latter, well informed as to the austerity of British rations, are amazed and unimpressed by the lengthy bills of
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