Glasgow & Highland Steamers
The Royal Route
Steamer Columba
June 21 1881
My Dearest Wife,
It is a showery day so I will come down below during a storm and write a letter to you. I started this morning from the wharf at Glasgow at 7.0 A.M. (instead of taking the rail to Greenock and embarking there) as I wanted to see the shipbuilding yards down the Clyde. This “Columba” is a splendid vessel said to be the finest river steamer afloat and I can quite believe it, the saloon in which I am now sitting is a magnificent one with large plate glass windows all along either side. There is a post office on board, a book stall and all sorts of conveniences. Soon after I got on board I went and had a shave and was shampooed, they had given me a cup of cocoa & a piece of bread and butter before leaving Glasgow so I waited for breakfast till we left Greenock 9 a.m. and then I sat down and demolished a piece of fried fish, a plate of Irish Stew and a plate of ham & eggs besides coffee & bread & butter so you can see I am picking up my appetite, the refreshment saloon is a first rate one and then things are well served by a good staff of waiters. I believe we shall reach Ardrishaig about 1 o’clock I have a return ticket and shall come back again by this boat to-morrow leaving about 2 o’clock the full fare is 7/6 cheap enough, I should like someday to come this trip with you we should enjoy it so much together. Yesterday we had a nice trip to the Isle of Arran, on Thursday we talk of going to Edinburgh. I left too early to get letters this morning but they will be forwarded me by early post. I suppose Miss Pollard has arrived please remember me to her and say that I will find her plenty of garden work on my return. It is fine again so I will go on deck for the air and also to view the sun through the “Kyles of Bute.” With kisses for the chicks and love to yourself I am ever
Your affectionate Husband
Julius Sladden
