Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-09-17
From the Washington City Chronicle.
From the Sketch Book Of q Student.
NO. ].
VOYAGE TO HAVRE.
Ar SEA. .July QS. IS

What delightful day! pleasant roll Of the
sea; "a ci0udl-ss heaven Just sufficient breeze to
keep our ship steady, aud give to the atmosphere
a delicious GOODNESS. Here, beneath the shade
OF an amp'e SAT-, thrown careiessly over boat.
hook dashed to the shrouds. whilst another part
serves as lounge, upon the round.house that
nearly covers our quarterback: in this only re-
tired place on board, do open to the first page
Of nv sketch book-how strange. how uncertain
sill be its cOntnuarion-lt will 60 with me thro'
:. beautiful France" and may feel the warm sun
shine OF Italy upon its leaves; II is homeiy af.
lair, but II is like the possessor, American How
long to gu onward: each plunge Of our vessel
in her track through the vide waste of waters,
brings jny with the thought, that am nearer to
the ooject Of my earliest, warmest anticipation,
to Rome, to imperial Rome. that :. city of the
soul" But the land seek is that of strangers:
[ have no friend before me, all dear to me On
earth avn leaving, for years, perhaps forever;
the thought will come before me, know it will
haunt Inc every where. But an hour ago, sim
pie. though lasting moral has reen presented, and
| shall no, soon forget it, trihing as it may Beg
perhaps. | too. have prematurely ventured to
leave the quiet OF home, the society OF kindred
spirits and kind friends. to wander alone among
scenes and people foreign in every thing.
About noon, as our company we're ENJOYING
their usual lunch, solitary bird directly as,ern,
attracted our notice; it seemed making its last
feeble effort to reach the ship, its wing occasion.
ally touching the water, as though it had scarce
iy power to keep above it-one violent exerlion.
It lit upon the mizen yard. and fell exha listed on
the deck-a little Creole boy, the pet of all on
board, innocent as Itself, picked j, up iI tri.
umph, offered 1t some crumbs Of his biscuit
which 1t ate, with any thing else presented; but
died in less than an hour. 1t proved to be snipe
we were then live hundred miles from the near
est land; how long must this pour little wander
er have been blown about at the mercy of wind
aud wave-how often must its adventurous wing
have wearied without a resting place.
Never could realize so strongly that nv Iono
anticipated Journey had commenced, as when
placed my foot on board the little steamer d.s.
tined to convey the passengers to the Havre pack
ct then living IN the stream ready to sail had
no friend with whom to exchange that sad word
farewell; nv home was already at a distance.
and could but feel my presence an intrusion
upon the scene OF deep interest that followed
our reaching the side of the ship There was
but one cold locker on beside myself; invounta
rlly we drew near each other, and became
friends The mother pressed her Ii tie ones to Ter
bosom, perhaps for the last time: IS father YOU
will soon come backi''-" Oh yes:" though the
pallid lip. that uttered the promise, forbade the
hope that it ever would be fulfilled. An express.
sive silence followed the deep toll of the bell, an
nounc,ng that the last moment had arriyed.-i
There was an expression of feeling, beyond the
power OF words. in the looks exchanged from one
vessel to the other-who, that has soul to leeI,
could look upon such scene and soon forget IT'D
The paddles Of the steamer had scarcely aeitated
the water, ere the rough voice of the pilot seem.
Ell I" give life to our stately ship; a few rapid
turns OF the windass aud clanking of the cable
followed; the sails dropped from the yards, and
we were gliding slowly. as If reluctantly. from
the beautiful harbor Of New York.
Head winds detained US until the NEXT evan. |,
ng within Sandy. Hook. The sun had lust set {
Is we launched upon the broad bosom of the ocean:
he dark clouds that hung around were tiueed
With deep purple. and gave every appearance Of
windy weather. The breeze ireshened towards
usk. and we soon parted with the pilot. Like
bird that had gained her native air, our gallant
essel bounded like "thing Of life" before IN. ,
We wind. her studding sails and royals expand.
] to the breeze, and she seemed 10 If snxiousIy