Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-08-22
HALLS TRAVELS
Extract from Basil Halls Travels TN Norts am''
ea in The years S27 and 1928.


ed TO break through my rule, in order 10 give
some account Of our dinper party; chiefly, in-
deed, that might have an opportunity OF ex-
could do with perfect truth
and prea, pleasure-on the conversation oil our
excellent host. For have rarely, IN any coun.
try, met man SO devoid Of prejudice, or so WI
ling to take all matters on their favorable side;
and withaI. who was so we'll informed about ev-
e,y thing in his own and in other countries, or
who was more ready 10 impart his knowleogeto
others
To those agreeable attributes and converse
tinnaI powers. he adds such mirtbfuiness oil
fancy, and genuine heartiness Of good numor,
10 all men, women aud children, who have the
good fortune TO m AXE his Acquaintance, tina,
should have no scruple-ifit were not TO great
a>Iiberty-in naming him as The person have
been most pl-ased with in all my recent travels.
After dinner, we repaired 10 the Museum,
the rio treasures Of which have been collected
exclusively by captains or supercargoes OF ves-
sells out of Salem, who had doubled one or other
Of the great southern promontnrles-the cape,
and the Horn, as they are Technically called by
The seamsn. AS my eye FIJI on numb rless
carefully cherished obicc 5, WHICH ] had often
seen in familiar use on The oi"er side OF the
globe, my imagination rerelled Tar and VIDE IN
10 regions NAV never i've TO see again!
1t was quite dark before got back 10 Bos.
ton, wher, next day We recommended our round
OF Sightseeing, which We pursued with such
industry that in the course Of week, hardly u
single insri ulion was left uhvisiird. Rop"
works-prnling ofhces-hnuses CT correction
prisons hospitals iaries--schools
aims houses-Navy aud building yards pas
sed il quick bui not in careless review before
A (, IaSi, aHu
made point of seeing. 1t mattered not what
II was we wished to examine; scarcely was the
wish express d, when immr dialeIy some one
left his business al a minutes waning. 10 be-
come gu" zea,ous and useful guide. All
this busy intercours brought us into very plea
trg habits Of acqn sin'anre with the good citi
Gems of Boston, w,,n whose manners, appearance
and style al'ogether we were much taken
In the Navy yard we saw two line of-battle
ships. one frigaIe, and one sloop OF war, on the
stock; all readylo he pur into the waer al a
month n SIX weeks notice. The frames of
thess fine shi,s were Of live oak, as we'll as The
keels, trarsoms, and other essential large tim>
hrrs, including he beams before aud abafr the
mast; the res, was whie oak. the line of
bauIe ships were about the siZ, i his maies-
ty's ship G.nges, but without poops. A dry
d1,k, which, when completed, is 10 be 2lo feet
lung, is in progress, under the management Of
a skirul engineer whom had the Satisfaction
Of meeting on The spot. Witt that absence of
al idle concealmen's whis found every where
H. America, this gentleman p: odaced his plans
before me, and We discussed 'oge Their the pros
merely an abs'ract question: Of scientific engi~
neering,--to the entire oblivion of national ri.
valrIes. Nothing, certainly, is more agreeable
than such confidence.
While w were chatting away in this fami-
liar style, We were joined by rbe naval officer in
command OF the station, an old and valued friend
mine, with whom had formed an Acquaintance
in other countries, such as no circumstance IF
peace or war, trust, will ever dim lnish.
NAVAL OFFICERS - The naval off, ers of A.
merica form, necessarily, as il always appeared
me, class somewhat more dlslInct than any
other from the rest of The community; for thew
are the only person, in the country whose whole
Tvs are passed in permanent habits of ubor.
linaIion. In fac,, hey are almost the only men
~ whom The practical value Of those ineouaIi,
les In rank, which the rest of The American
world dcrde, are admitted 10 be Important
Every one, suppose, is aware, that a shin of
var whose discipline is not sirici, especially in |
hose branches Of II whlc h consist in keepinp |
'P strong lines OF distinction amones, the off
ers, mus, as matter Of course, be worse than
scIess; for, instead Of being able 10 do lie
ounry honor, she Cannot fail 10 bring il into
Isgrace, at moments Of trial. OF the ruth OF
hese principles all parties in America are SO
ven aware. INA any lampering with naval dis
lphne, whatever may be done in the army, has
o. been seriously Thoughts Of; conse uuen,ly. a
cry rigid 'yslem- probably not too rigid, bu.
I'LL very strict system; continues 10 be oh
rrved in their ships Of war The effec, even
this, indeed, would be uncomfortable u,on
etsons exposed 10 j, only for lime; but when
pphed TO the whole life, it must of necessity
I've distinguished cha ac,er 10 the whole class
objected 10 its influence
! have reason, indeed 10 believe, from VIVA,
Nv ana heard that the American discipline,
specially as applied 10 officers, is more s,ern
lar. .a IN the BRUSH navy, and for reason which
Y llh US, The supply Of officers comes e., 9
'c,e'y not only familiar with The ,beorv Of =,
INKS, II | may say SO, but practically q, ou.;,,