The river at many places and in many seasons being very low, these steamers are built as light as possible; in short, I believe they are built as light as any company can be found to insure them.  Above the natural load-line they flam out like the rim of a washing-basin, so as to give breadth for the superstructure; on the deck is placed the engine and appurtenances, fuel, &c.; whatever is not so occupied is for freight.  This deck is open all round, and has pillars placed at convenient distances, about fifteen to twenty feet high, to support the cabin deck.  The cabin deck is occupied in the centre by a saloon, extending nearly the whole length of the vessel, with sleeping cabins—­two beds in each—­opening off it on both sides.  The saloon is entered from forward; about one-third of its length at the after-end is shut off by doors, forming the ladies’ sanctum, which is provided with sofas, arm-chairs, piano, &c.; about one-fifth of the length at the foremost-end, but not separated in any way, is the smoking-place, with the bar quite handy, and the stove in the centre.  The floor of this place may with propriety be termed the great expectorating deposit, owing to the inducements it offers for centralization, though, of course, no creek or cranny of the vessel is free from this American tobacco-tax—­if I may presume so to dignify and designate it.  Having thus taken off one-third and one-fifth, the remaining portion is the “gentlemen’s share”—­how many ’eenths it may be, I leave to fractional calculators.  Their average size is about sixteen feet broad, and from seven and a half to eight and a half feet high; the centre part is further raised about eighteen inches, having glass along the sides thereof, to give light; they are always well painted and elaborately gilt—­in some vessels, such as the “Eclipse,” of Louisville, they are quite gorgeous.  The cabins are about six feet by seven, the same height as the saloon, and lit by a door on the outside part, the upper portion of which is glass, protected, if required, by folding jalousies, intended chiefly for summer use.  Outside these cabins a gallery runs round, covered at the top, and about four feet broad, and with entries to the main cabin on each side.  The box which covers the paddle-wheel, &c., helps to make a break in this gallery, separating the gentlemen from the ladies.

Some boats have a narrow passage connecting the two galleries, but fitted with a grille door, to prevent intrusion into the harem gallery; before, the paddle-box, on one side, is the steward’s pantry, and on the other, that indispensable luxury to an American, the barber’s shop; where, at all hours of the day, the free and enlightened, mounted on throne-like chairs and lofty footstools, stretch their carcases at full length, to enjoy the tweaking of their noses and the scraping of their chins, by the artistic nigger who officiates.  This distinguished official is also the solo dispenser of the luxury of