The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-04-07
(onGNAL.)
"A CRUISE IN THE EAGLE.

BY A
My "leave of absence for three MONTHS had ey.
pired but week. when, calling at the village post
office, yellow document with the Navy Depart
ment stamp, was placed in my hand. On opening, i
found myself ordered to report in days for the
U. s. frgate Eagle, then fitting out at Brooklyn, New
York. She was a crack ship, and / was pleased to
be selected as one of her officers
The novelty of home had worn off | had ceas.
cd to receive all the attentions of guest and re-
lapsed into my former situation, as one Of the boys
OF the family, in spite Of my assumed dignity and
numerous nsinuations that they were soon 10 loose
the charming society of important officer in the
United States Navy But, tell the truth, believe
they were growing somewhat weary of me- My
Munchausen accounts of two years cruise round
the Horn had ceased to elicit the respectful attention
of the family and the only auditor who now mani
Tested the slightest interest in my yarns, was pretty
little black eyed girl, the chosen playmate of my sis
ter, and her constant companion. Her father was
the village physician, man of some requirements,
and universally beloved Mary was his only child,
her mother had died in giving her birth the mourn
full circumstance attached deeper interest in the
Doctors heart towards his beautiful daughter And
Mary Gray all sweetness Of disposition warm
heart filled with the most pleasing sentiments of ma
ture None associated with her without feeling their
hearts warm towards the interesting creature Twas
but natural should love her; and if there was a
pang to my feeling on reading my orders second
time, it was the idea of being separated from Mary
Gray.
hurried home and entered the parlor where nv
mother and sister were seated-neitber paid me any
attention. their habit on my first return home.
noticed this falling off, and secretly rejoiced at the
prospects of their respect and attention returning las
knew it would) when informed that their midsbip-
man was soon to leave them.
A sad parting with my family, a tender adieu from
Mary Gray, with a memento of her kind rec ards,
and was, on the fourth day from the receipt of nv
ORDERS my way to join the Eagle, arrived in due
time, reported to the commanding officer, and once
again was an inmate of the steerage, the Midship.
mans home, his bed room paror and dining apart
ment. IT'S the most remarkable part of the ship,
without comfort, yet has the happiest occupants
1t is the scene of his youth. The Storage officer.
are gay, Wild reckless, devil. set, fun and
frolic ever uppermost in their thoughts, till the pc
Rod of their examination draws near when at inter
walls they are more sedate and sudious A Midship.
man was scarce ever known TO be sad unless nut in
watch and watch, for punishment and then only with
the momentary reflection of the quantity Of sleep he
was to be deprived Of. Blow high or blow low, wet
or dry, hot or cold in danger or out the steerage is
the same heller SHELTER, noisy, fun and frocksome
spot
The gallant Eagle was ready for sea, and on
beautiful Sunday morning in June, when the bells
were tolng for the assemblage of the church goers
we rip'd anchor and with all sail set stood out
to sea, Qeaving crowded battery and tall church
spires behind) seeking the deep blue waves of old
ocean. There were few sad faces, many sentiment
tai expressions, and crowded letter bag on the CAP
STEM containing doubtless the last tender adieus of
some Iove.sck swain, who breatbed vows of eternal
devotion. There was one letter in that bag for Mary
Gray.
We passed the Narrows crossed the bar dismissed
our pilot and soon old Nspesink beed i,s name and
,ank in the dimness OF distance. We were suav
from the land, on the wide spread ocean. clear
blue sky above and good westerly breezes propeIinp
us along at rs the hour Our destination was the Me.
diterranesn, every one on board was delighted with
the idea Of visiting the Old World, with Its classical
associations.
1, Is goriou, feeling TO be board Of fine dash