A noteworthy feature in improved saloon accommodation is the provision of music rooms or social halls, which are usually situated above the dining saloons, and connected or made one therewith by means of light and ventilation wells placed in the centre. The size and ornamentation of these, and the light and air they are the means of admitting, contribute in a very marked degree to the spaciousness, beauty, and comfort of the main saloon. By recent special modifications in the deck structure, several builders on the Clyde—notably Messrs J. & G. Thomson—are rendering this feature of greater value than ever. In the National Line Steamship _America_, just finished by the firm named and to which attention has already been directed, the Grand Saloon is a splendid apartment, extending from side to side of the vessel, and measures over eighty feet in length. Its size and height are augmented in a remarkable degree by the fitting of a dome-roof extending in height through two tiers of decks, and embracing about half the length of saloon. This feature—some conception of which may be gathered from the sketches shown by Figs. 9 and 10, is altogether free of athwartship beams, and practically gives to the saloon a clear height of 18 feet. The crown of the dome is formed of beautifully-executed stained glass, finished round its base in a richly coloured frieze formed of panels containing well-executed oil paintings. The whole feature, for structure, ampleness, and ornamentation, is a noteworthy advance in the way of rendering the saloons of steamships more comfortable—not to say palatial—and reflects the utmost credit on the building firm. [Illustration: FIG. 10. CROSS SECTION OF GRAND SALOON IN _S.S. America_, SHOWING DOME-ROOF.] In several vessels built within recent years on the Clyde there has been adopted—in addition to the athwartship middle length saloon, a curious and complete reversal of the traditional arrangement with respect to accommodation for the crew. The plan, one would think, must shock the orthodox sentiment of our seamen, whatever they may think of its utility. A few strokes of the draughtsman’s pencil, and _per saltum_ “Jack” and his “castle” are transported to the poop, and the precincts so long sacred to his use are prostituted to the lounge and the tobacco pipe of the pampered “land-lubber”—_i.e._, they form a luxuriant smoking saloon for passengers.