The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-08
OK BOARD GREAT WEsrI


and her noble captain are absorbed III their BUSH
ness, and every day we make an advance OF some
hundreds OF miles. Tomorrow We shaii see The
land they say; how exhillraiing the promise.
Symptoms Of an approach began to show them
selves; the men are shaving of their sea boards,
and the women begin 10 think of their dlsordered
locks again. The greater part Of my voyage has
been boisterous and unfavorable We reached the
seventeenth day Of an allotted existence, to the
annoyance OF our esteemed captain, who hoped 10
put us ashore some days earlier. There was great
excitement on board to-day;. all the amusements
and occupations that have hitherto given zesi TO
my isolated life are forgotten and abandoned in the
stirring interest awakened as rapidly gain upon
the New World whittier we are anxoisy bound
For myself, have ceased to think of the adven-
lures or msfortunes that may befall me there; all
other emotions are buried, absorbed, in one deep,
intense feeling OF curiosity that has taken complete
possession Of my sonl oh! how intolefably long
an hour seems which interp0ses between the pre-
sent and the goal OF my boundiess Impotence Our
last dinner was joyous one; and, miraculous to
say, after seventeen days eating and drinking OF
made 1 sa
more abundant than ever; the wines circulated
freely; and the eloquence Of our ocean orators
could no longer contain itself; toasts and speeches
succeeded, and the health of Captain Hoskns was
drank amid cheers and braves. He replied with
that mOdesty and correct feeling chara ctersilc
OF the man, and bid US adieu with afectionate re-
greet The confidence have reposed from the be.
ginning in this admirable commander has never for
a moment deserted me; and his interchangeable at
tention to his important duties at all hours and in
all weatheIs has called forth our unanimous and
most grateful admiration. No wonder such man
should enjoy such general esteem; few, indeed,
so entirely worthy Of it.
laid down my pen an hour ago to run on deck
breathess at the news we had arrived soundings,
which simply means that we had passed the bot
tomless sea, and could, by dropping u heavy piece
Of lead with long line, touch the solid earth.
and it was deepened thousand times when | re.
collected that It was American earth-tbat lard
had so long and so ardently desired to Sec was
standing by as the lead drew up with some Of the
soil adherlng to 1t. grasped with greater eager
ness than lft had been precious pearl, and re-
garded it with an interest words .can convey.
shall not sleep tonight. Howmy eyes strain and
beam for sight of this new land Columbus, !
don't believe, was half SO impatient.
SUNDAY, May 8.
Look there, Nina, behold America! Since day.
light we have land, and since that how have
been staring till my sight has grown dim and con.
around which we turned into a fine stream between
two islands, looking almost like canal, leading
straight to the harbor Of New York. AS we 60
steaming rapidly along in smooth water, am every
moment enchanted by the lively landscapes that
present themselves so entirely unlike anything
ever saw or fancied Hill and dale deckea in the
highest verdure and luxuriating in the richest TO-
!iage, succeed in the most pleasing variety. Mum;
painted IN dazzling white, relieved by green Vene-
tan blinds These pretty objects are to me so per
fectly novel, that | am exclaiming with delight
every moment. The harbor of New York opens
upon us. Can anything in nature be more magni-
ficent? Islands Of the most picturesque beauty are
scattered in every direction the eye wanders to.
The city itself is an object Of wonderful attraction
lovely promenade called the Battery, adorned
with splendid trees and pretty walks, and running
from the waters edge may be considered its natu-
raj frontspece, and nothing can be more strkingly
beautiful to the eye OF stranger.
have scrubbed these lines with my pencil as we
steamed along, but my Impressions so rapid and
various that must give myself up to them entirely.
You shall have them, with me, at another time.
Adi.u.
New York, May s.
come intelligence, as you will regardit, of my safe
arrival in the western world; and what do | think
Of it, is the first inquiry you would put to me were
within the sound of your agreeable voice.
hardly know what reply to make other than that
have been to this moment astonlshed, amused,
and delighted hundred times with the strange,
odd, and beautiful sights that have greeted me at
every turn. | arrived on Sunday last, and was
greatly struck at first with the unexpected size and
commercial opulence of the city. AS we assembled
Of the two fine rivers that enclose New York,
observed the quays lined with noble warehouses
and fleets of fine vessels riding at anchor front
| of them. On the steamer reaching the wharf,
was greatly diverted at the crowd and hustle, and
very much hlttered you may be sure, to find that
| my arrival was making great sensation, even
dowa to those matter-offact creatures, the CUSTOM
house officers who treated all my parcels sacred
property, when expected just the contrary from
the much-talked-of national curiosity. Al. drove
| y quiet and deserted. That attributed to the
character of the day, which is observed here after
| the fashion of London.
The houses above are of all possible sizes and
colors, but generally well built and cheerful in as
pect; the paving not over smooth, as felt by the
joing of the carriage, but very clean and NICE
Gu reaching the lower part of the town my atten-
| ton was directed to the Park Theatre, where
hp0n ia d..xtr
of fine building in marble and of great size, but
was soon cured OF my illusion by being told that
| it was the City Hall.
"There is the theatre - and looked upon "a
building utterly devoid Of architectural rnerts,
as anv public edifce ever saw. Nothing could be
meaner or more uninviting than Its exterior; but
was told not to despair, that my opinion of it would
rise crossing its threshold, and SO hold myself
in reserve. alighted at the American Hotel, where
| | had been strongly recommended, and was ushered,
with great cvlity, into handsome saloon, but
was promised even better the first vacancy.
My exerions had made me quite hungry, SO l or
dered my dinner, not little curious to see some-
thing of the mystery Of an American cuisine. Ihad
| scarcely done SO when the card of my manager,
Mr.. 3, was brought in. Well, this is prompt
and gallant, thought !, and he was shown In but
what different person from the class have been
accustomed to in Europe, who, dressed in high
fashion display their wit and gallantry in the gayest
compliments. Mr.. s., on the contrary, attired in
plain black and with most staid,y season
ed, had the serious aspect of man OF business.
He sat down, looked at me, said the day was fine,
| to which ] cheerfully assentcd, asked sbout my
voyage, looked again, hemmed, and getting very
formally up, said he would call again; and SO began
and ended IN live minutes. my first interview with
an American director. was told that he was rather
eccentric, though very honest, upright man; but
| that loquacity was a weakness lie never INDUCED
in, that he would do any thing to obiige you but
| talk to you. Yet am cure shall like Mr.. 5.
must confess my first dinner astonished me
outright. The table was most elegantly garnished
with fac linen and beautiful glass; ana-would
who had been here that "A napkin was not to be
fourd in the country, that | had, consequently,
brought some dozen with me. / found them use
less. Four or five were served, and nothing
could have been better cooked or of better quality
There is Science in the kitchens of the hotels,
and begin to think that America is not quite 20
barbarous as fine folks have assured me; however,
| have some more to see AS / went to bed, / put
my head out of the window for look at the stars