The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-04-27
From the n Y. Evangelist.
LETTERS FROM DIR. BEMAN.

LETTERS FROM DIR. BEMAN.
From cause to us unknown, the first letter writ
ten by DR.. Beman has not been yet received. We
take pleasure, however, in publishing this without
delay.
LONDON, March -, 1889.
Mr.. Editor,-My former communication an
nounced my safe arrival at Portsmouth, on the
4th of February. Our luggage had been forwar-
ded direct to the Custom House, and we repaired
Immediately to that national ordeal, that we might,
after due inspection, have a legal claim to foot
hold upon 9" the sea-girt Isle." AS | was now,
for the first time, in an ancient city Of the old
world, my eyes and ears were open, and every
object possessed, in addition to its intrinsic value,
fictitious interest derived from the circumstan-
ces in which it was seen. Portsmouth is situated
on the island of Porsea, and in connection with
the town of Portsea, flor they may be considered
as forming one town) contains between forty-ive
and fifty thousand inhabitants 1t was strongly
defended in the reign of Queen Elizabeth and ev-
cry succeeding sovereign has added to the extent
and strength of the works, so that it is now said
to be the most regular fortress in England. From
two to four thousand men are employed in the
dock-yards 1t is deemed almost inpregnable
both by land and sea. This harbor is decidedly
superior to any other in the kingdom. While the
entrance hardly exceeds the breadth of the
Thames, at London, it soon expands and becomes
sufficiently capacous 10 afford anchorage and pro-
lection TO nearly the whole of the British navy.
In the roadstead of Spithead, between Portsmouth
and the Isle Of Wight, thousand ships of the
line may ride in perfect security. The town it
self is not very imposing in appearance, its streets
being Tor the most part narrow and dirty. | saw
no buildings which were remarkable for the beau
ty or elegance of their architecture. To an ad-
venturer from the new world, the principal atrac-
tons will be found in its venerable antiquity, and
the great extent and strength of its fortfcations-
The whole of the walls around the town are
planted thick with cannon, and in the harbor are
always lying several ships of war. The Victory,
the celebrated ship of Lord Nelson, is always
pointed out to the stranger. On my way to the
Custom House, both novelty and familiarity ap-
peared to be Blended in the various objects which
met my view. The streets, the shops the public
and private buildings, differed, in so many fea-
lures, from those in the large towns of my own
country, as to assure me, that | was indeed
abrOad, and yet even so much like them, in other
particulars, as to make me feel quite at home.-I
This same remark applies with additional force to
the people. They were not americans; but they
were only ENGLIsHMEN, and felt, at once that | |
was not in Turkey, or in France, was particu-
arly pleased with the gentlemanly manner in
which every thing was conducted at the Custom
House. confess | was agreeably disappointed
in this respect experienced nothing of that an
noyance which is often complained of. in similar
none of that insolence of office
which is not unfrequently troublesome in those
who are clothed with " little brief auhority"-
prying into little matters, such as the extent or
poverty of mans wardrobe--no examination of
single travellers Mread-caSe, to see whether his
silk and needles are of British manufacture, or not
As opened my pormanteau, | stated fact or
wo respecting the contents, and the object of nv
visit to England, and with gentle press or two
With the hand upon the various articles, the Off
,er remarked, let it pass" and the whole matter
vas over. hardly expect to fare as we'll in ev-
Try instance. Portsmouth is situated "A miles
southwest of London, and between the two pIa-
es there isa Geographic communication by which
Intelligence can be conveyed from this important
ea-port to the admiralty in eight minutes. 1t is
aid to have been done as a matter of experiment
n two minutes. cannot underwrte for the COR j
ectness of this assertion {
| busted myself both before and after my visit
0 the Custom House, in scanning every object
which fell under my observation. NoceltieS, or
Kings which are somewhat out of the course of J
ur ordinary experience or observation, are most I
kelly to attract our attention, while those which
re of daily and familiar occurrence pass unnoti-
ed | will set down few of the former class )
,hich first struck me on walking the streets of :
'ortsmouth. The sidewalks are tagged with
mooth stones, but were covered with black sill
~ mud, which seemed to be compound of the G
ne mist which is constantly descending, in a ;
lick and foggy day, and the smoke of bituminous y
bal with which it becomes fully saturated before
reaches the ground. This substance gives a II