The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-08-10
Foreign Correspondence.
Mr.. ALLEN
COMMITTEE.
IIAvRE, June %, 1871.

Mr. ALLEN:
DEAR Sin 1t is now s clock in the morning and
am comfortably seated in my little chamber in the
Hotel de Holland, after very pleasant, and, for
the ofthc year quick passage Of days
and some hours from New York. II had been my
purpose to have sailed by the ship Mosem from Bal
timore, on the 9Th instant but, to my great dsap-
pointment arrived hour too late. 1t has happen
ed, however for the best; the Moslem has not yet
arrived, though she sailed than three days in
advance OF the ship by which lcame out the Duchess
d'Orleans. And besides, have had advantage
which should not have on board the Moslem of max
ing progress in speaking French, having been
passenger with many French gentlemen can now
par iez rous somewhat can ask for pommes de ,erre
pain ct beurre in other words, for bread butter and
potatoes, &c. Sci that shall not sarve for lack of
ability to my tongue As sit looking my petit
bed, am exceedingly puzzled to know how to bestow
myself in it, as, with What comparison compare it
is very low and yet very high being surmoun,ed
with conca sor, of white curtain, in shape some
what like mandarins hat, with an opening on one
side, evidently for to crawl beneath; but yet
have been studying for some minutes how in the
world shall get between the sheets for they seem
i
fer an experiment however, to more convenient sea
son, and 90 to the custom house for my baggage
1t is now three o'clock have my baggage my
passport for Paris have visited and been very politely
received by the American Consul have traversed
much Of the city, and waiting and longing
for good dinner which yet it | am no, to get
until between five and six o'clock O. Mores Thus
they live here rise late breakfast at ten dine at five
or six, and drink coffee when and where they can get
tat cafe, or 90 without it.
am thus far much pleased with Havre Il con
tans only about thirty thousand inhabitants as yet
the amount Of shipping is very great, and the bust
ness done very considerable The buildings are Of
uniform appearance in respec of material style of
architecture, and color except that are more din
~ than others. All built Of stone or brick, and
plastercd painted. The entrance to the houses
Is generally by paved passage to some little paved
court from whence ascends by paved steps 10
chambers and halls, with paved floors; all is paved
and what is especially worthy Of notice is that all
the pasements within the houses are kept very neat,
The buildings are often four five stories high and
some of them have majestic appearance.
must not forget to mention the Charm Of polite
manners, which have already struck me as peculiar
to the French people, and which seems almost uni
yersal here The manners Of females are especially
interesting SO sweet, gracious and so graceful
why our hostess is perfect syren
Much detail in describing place like this well
known, and in which there is nothing remarkable,
except, may be- its docks and noble display Of ship
ping, would, fear, fail of interest shall therefore
not remark upon several things which have good
deal excited my curiosity stranger in a strange
land will now pre- ent you with some specula-
hons-whch think may be of interest and some i'm
poHance TO many Americans-upon the peculiar ad.
vantagcs afforded by the New York Liners as thew
are called for passages 10 frem Europe advantages
could not fail to remark as saw noble ship the
Dutchess outsai every thing with which we measured
speed, IN our passage out These vessels the liners
are IN the first place, built after the most approved
models, with special reference TO fast sailing though
capable from their urcror size being generally ofthe
largest class Of merchant ships Il carrying very large
cargoes They are rugged IN the best manner with
abundance of spare canvass and cordagc with which as
anything rent carried away place is Immediately
supplied Thccahns are spacious commodious and fur
nshcd in superb style The living board is generally
othe best that BE- furnished sea- scarcely inferior
To that found in the best hotels in America These
ships never over-freehted and often only in bal
last trim. They tanned by able seamen and in
numbers sufficient take immediate advantage of all
winds and weather. They are CON handed by expo
renccd captains and men of character proud Of their