The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-07-03

h the menbers Of their respective families, as
2 well az 10 each of themselves. The invita-
d ton was subsequently extended to the mem
n Lers of the corporation of New York, aud
\ such ladies' and gentlemen as they might
select as guests.
1t was then, if we have been correctly in
formed, proposed by some of the guests at
that dinner, who were members of the Com
mon Council, that large steamer should
be chartered for the accommodation of the
guests of the Prince, at the expense of the
city. But he would not listen to the sue-
gestion for an instant. The orders of L.
HERcULE and her consort, the corvette FA-
voRrTr, were peremptsry, TO sail on Thurs
day. Hence but small space of time was
allowed for repartion--during which the
completion Of the tour of the Prince requir-
ed that he should visit Boston.
Accordingly, on Monday afternoon, the
Prince left New York; by the Stonington
line, for Boston, where he arrived at nine
o'clock the following morning. Remaining
there six hours, during which time, as he
informed us himself, he was so actively en-
gagged as to see all that was to be seen, he
started on his return TO New York at three
o'clock, arriving here at six on "Wednesday
morning. In view Of the great fatigue he
must necessarily encounter during the three
days which only remained ut his disposal,
il was proposed.that he should repair from
Boston to his ship, instead of reyisiting New
York. But he was peremtory in his refu-
sal l-declaring that he would receive his
guests in the latter city.
The preparations have, we believe, been
a 4 Il. 6 ~ l.. \
the French consul general-Mr. Delmonico
being chief butler and caterer in-general.
Unfortunately the Massachusetts and Mar
ragansett, both of The largest and most com
niodious class of American steamers, were
disabled; and the only craft that could be
obtained, that would in any wise answer tho
purpose, was the CLEoPATRA--a light roll |
ing vessel, ordinarily plying between this |
port and Hartford.
The hour of departure was seven o'clock |
on Wednesday evening. 1t was nearly
eight, however, before the vessel with beau
tiful name, aud more than seven hundred
passengers, who had been courteously re-
ceved by the Prince, got under way. The
passage was one of the most uncomfortable
ever endured by human beings, while every
Il
the captain and the lowest of the deck hands
may, by the passengers themselves-to
render it otherwise. Fancy a collection of
seveu hundred people and upward-ladies
and gentlemen-with now and then small
child to boot--crowded into n steamer no
larger than the Cleopatra. The cabins
were oil slowed full, and the decks crowd
ed to the density of column of grena diers
in close order, TO resist a charge Of cavalry.
Great, however, is the power of music, the
full force of which was cxcellently discours-
ed by the band Of L'Hercuic, that Ind been
, brought to New York for the occasion. 1t
was even reported that cotllions were per-
formed on deck, but Of the truth Of the tale
the writer hereof has no personal knowl-
edge. Ii such were the fBct, the dancing
must have beon performed under singular
constrant, slice the fact, of the compressi-
biIity of matter had been sufficiently tested,
before space was sought wherein to exhibit
the poetry OF motion. Dancing with fetters
in n basket would have been perfect free
dom IN comparisoa.
Nor was there n lack Of other devices to
soothe the sufTerngs ofthc votories of plea
sure. Refreshments, The choicest that Del
monioo could furnish, were served Mt half
past eleven-the ladies, as many mt least rs
could, being seated ut the tables spread in
the cabins-whie at the same time, iced
creams, strawberries, and iced champagne
were bountifully dispersed TO the gentle
men. AT halfpast twelve, orders were Civ.
en- that the cabins must nll be cleared of
the gentlemen, for the exclusive use of the
ladies. The Prince came into the forward
cabin with the message. "Your Royal
llighness must be obeyed," replied one gen
tleman, setting down plate of iced cream
just as he had brought the first spoonful
of the oleagnous luxury to his lips. The
orders of the ladies must be obeycd," res
ponded the Prince with smile.
The first hour of the exclusive occupan.
cy of the deck by the gentlemen, all stand
ing-not in honor of the Prince--nor of
each other, but because they could neither
sit nor lie down,-was passed in compuri-
tive comfort. But when the jokes had all
been used up as often as Alexander slew
the slain at the feast-when mems Snder-
standings began literally to ache by the per-
formancs of constant though inactive duty
when the artificial stimulus of the Great
ure comforts had somewhat evaporatcd-
and when the eye lids began to droop hy
an influence more leaden than animal mag
ne,ism-then drew the visages of men dark
us the wings of night, albeit will, steady
resolution each endeavored so to govern his
own temper ms to commit no outrage when
his corns were troddon upon, or when he
was crowded from the post against which
he had been leaning.
Fortunately, Mt this point of,ime, the his
toriau Of the exhibition, with the Secretary
of the State Of Kentucky, purscr in the
navy, aud two Virginians, succeeded, by
the magical influence offive pieces of sill
yer, of the value of a halle eagle, i'm dispos-