The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-02-10

IF teOO . : tsu Iouus
Correspondence Of The Gasctlc.
The Ocean-Realitics and Greetings
Imprcssions at ". Where Ihapc
been-R Richmond, Norfolk, and Ports
aortk, Ta.,--Nary Yard, &c.
ATLANTIC OCEAN, Sur MARY JAxE,(
January 18th, l048.
An eternity Of sky and waters! Not o
spsck Of land in sight, not moving thing
but the flying clouds and rolling WIVES
and our own dashing ship. Yet the wind
is company A. il whistles through the rig
ging, aud snowcaps tho pillows. All, hero
] can breathe. There is sense Of free
dom in this boundless air and water. I in
hale the strong icy wind, and feel ,hnt il
is moro like God. breath than the feeble
brcczes Of tho land. look abroad upon
tho mighty hosts Of pillows lcnping mp and
down like monsters Of power, and believe
this 10 moro like Gods strength than the
changes and revolutions Of earth. lhcar not
nor see around me the workings and effects
Of man's selfish passions and grssping am
billions, and ! appreciate TINT all this alb
scnce hut the more swectly and viridIy
marks Gods presence. All ha,l, then, old
Occsn! Beautiful in calm and in storm
mighty in thy slumbcrs, and in thy wrath
infinite, eternal.
Well, tho realities Of tho present src
with me, that am on swift sailing ship,
all sails spread and stiff breeze, a gale
prophesicd by the 'ssca dogs" about two
hundred miles from N. York to which we
arc hastening, weather cold, out ofsight Of
land, and with the comfortable assurance
from the Captain that more vessels arc lost
in the month Of January in this region than
during any other season. care MT much
how these realities may rcvolve. lf am
to die in youth, pray il may be mid the
awful grandcurs Of o ''storm at sea-" A
whimsical idea, possibly, yet ono that has
strangely worked on my mind for the last
three weeks. Am reading my destiny ?
Mans fate has thus hauutcd his living
hours. To-day have been thinking much
Of home and friends, even Of Davenport and
Of my neglect Of you and yours. IL il be
mot too late TO secure general pardon, let
mo in letter to my friends and yourself,
through The Gazette, solicit forgiveness,
set not criminasc myself in promises for
the failure. Here then 10 good greeting to
you all. lIealth, prosperity aud happiness,
bubbles up in warm wish from my hoart.
Two months have passed since ] left
home 10 make my FIRST visit to this eastern
country. OF course have in this part oil
tho world seen much to crafty curiosity,
20 please and 10 instruct. ] have ohcn
thought some Of my impressions might be
entertaining 10 my Iowa friends, but being
in manner engaged to transfer them 10
the columns Of another piper, have refrain.
ed from giving them to you. j had expect
Cd ore this 10 have been revealing 10 the
sssunny south" but being unable 70 obtain
q ycseel at Norfolk, am obliged to return Il
N. York. During visit Of month Al
this latter city visited almost every prom
mont part and circle Of il from The palaces
Of the fashionable parks, TO tho miserable
degradation Of the noted "riye Points."-
MOI moro than one stranger out Of hun
drsd wishing the great metropolis, have 9th
o. tha~phs mast underlined and erroncou'
opthiods q Tho city. There are = thi'
sias psopls residing il N. York who hav'
nsser ssss ths sppasiae aide Of tho city 4
that in which they reside. They are soms