The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-12-14 00:00:00

MISS FAITHFULL AND MR. GEORGE
FRANCIS TRAIN.

- -
Miss Faithful), who left Liverpool recently In the Oceanic,
writes from New York in the Vittoria Magazine—
After the first few days of severe weather, one after
another appeared on deck, and capped their perform-
ances by dining in the saloon; and if anything could
make a sea voyage bearable, the arrangements made
in the steamers of the White Star fine would do so.
The qate-rooms are placed in the centre of the vessel,
where the least motion is likely to be felt; and until
Mr. Bessemer's invention comes into general use,
them) steamers will continue the most popular
boats with travellers who know the discomforts of
the other lines, and are capable of appreciating
the effort which has been made by the White
Star line to render crossing the Atbuitic as pleasant as
may be. Among the chosen few who enjoy • sea
voyage was George Francis Train; and where he is,
neither silence nor gravity can reign. As he never ob-
jects to any personal alluaioas. I shall be pardoned for
adding that I have seldom seen so strange an individual
in full possession of his liberty. Imagine a very tall
man, attired in • heavy sealskin cost, advancing
towards you with • somewhat fierce expression, ex-
claiming, as he strikes his hand on his heart,
"Madam, you have probably seen a Republican
and a Democrat; but in me behold an American
citizen!" and you can picture my introduction to
Mr. Train. His great ambition is to be elected Praia-
dent ; and he lIJ fully believes his wish will be grati-
fied, that he liberally distributes • carte de visite on
which is printed after his name, "Future President of
the United States !" Ido not find that many Ameri-
cans endorse his opinion, though they do justice to his
wonderful oratory and vivid flashes of wit. Certainly
our ambassador would not pray for the realiaation of
his hopes of aggrandisement bad he heard him declare,
on board the Oceanic, that the instant he became Presi-
dent he should demand a large sum o: money front
England as compensation for his unjust imprisonment;
adding that, unless he received a telegram acceding to
his claim, be would bang the English Minister to a
lamp-post in Washington!

Mies Faithfull's tribute to the worth of Mr. Greeley
is not less interesting because it reaches us simul-
taneously with the announcement of the distinguished
campaigner's death. In a letter from New York pub- '
hatted in the new number of the Victoria Magazine,
Miss Faithf till writes :
I had a long talk with Mr. Greeley at dinner the other
night, and he seemed very indifferent about the result of
the struggle, though he has relaxed no effort to ensure his
success. When I saw Mr. Greeley surrounded by some of
his disciples, I no longer marvelled at their enthusiastic
devotion, lie has lust that kind of personal magnetism
which enchains chivalrotu hearts, and I never more enjoyed
an hoor's talk over our English poets, Browning and Tenny-
son, and Lowell and some rising American ports Mr.
Greeley's choice and numerous quotations proved that hie
knowledge kept pace with his lore. A fascinating, quaint
humour ran through all his remarks, and shone out more
particularly in hls reference to the political campaign in
which he is playing so conspicuous a part.