PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. VOL. 102. June 4, 1892. LOST LUGGAGE. (_OR THE EXPERIENCES OF A "VACUUS VIATOR."_) _At the Douane, Ostend._--Just off _Princesse Henriette_; passengers hovering about excitedly with bunches of keys, waiting for their luggage to be brought ashore. Why can't they take things quietly--like _me_? _I_ don't worry. Saw my portmanteau and bag labelled at Victoria. Sure to turn up in due time. Some men when they travel insist on taking hand-bags into the carriage with them--foolish, when they might have them put in the van and get rid of all responsibility. The _douaniers_ are examining the luggage--don't see mine--as yet. It's all _right_, of course. People who are going on to Brussels and Antwerp at once would naturally have their luggage brought out first. Don't see the good of rushing about like that myself. I shall stay the night here--put up at one of the hotels on the Digue, dine, and get through the evening pleasantly at the Kursaal--sure to be _something_ going on. Then I can go comfortably on by a mid-day train to-morrow. Meanwhile my luggage still tarries. If I was a nervous man--luckily I'm _not_. Come--that's the _bag_ at all events, with everything I shall want for the night.... Annoying. Some other fellow's bag.... No more luggage being brought out. Getting anxious--at least, just a shade uneasy. Perhaps if I asked somebody--Accost a Belgian porter; he wants my baggage ticket. They never gave me any ticket. It _did_ occur to me (in the train) that I had always had my luggage registered on going abroad before, but I supposed _they_ knew best, and didn't worry. I came away to get a rest and avoid worry, and I _won't_ worry.... The Porter and I have gone on board to hunt for the things. They aren't _there_. Left behind at Dover probably. Wire for them at once. No idea how difficult it was to describe luggage vividly and yet economically till I tried. However, it will be sent on by the next boat, and arrive some time in the evening, so it's of no consequence. Now for the Hotel. Ask for the bus for the _Continental_. The _Continental_ is not open yet. Very well, the _Hôtel de la Plage_, then. Closed! All the hotels facing the sea _are_, it seems. Sympathetic Porter recommends one in the town, and promises to come and tell me as soon as the luggage turns up. [Illustration: "Please, de tings!"]