Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1850-10-17

from the pen OF Professor McCiintock,
who was passenger in ,he steamer
Asia, on her late voyage from Europe.
The letter explains itself, and was
communicated to the New York OBJ
server -
"Wcssrs. Editors:-As ! sailed TO
Europe in the steamer Washington, Of
the Southampton and Bremen line, aud
returned in the Asia, the new Cunard
ship, | have had an opportunity 10
form some estimate Of the compara-
tive comforts and advantages Of the
American and British steamers and,
with your permission, ] will state some
Of the results of my experience.
ut will he remembered that the
Washington is several years old, while
the Asia is the last and best product Of
British skill Yet, after having sailed
in both, | have now to say, if | we're
setting out for Europe to-day, and the
two vessels were TO sail together, |
would freely pay twenty dollars moro
to 60 in the Washington than in the
Asia The comfort, ease, and enjoy
men, Of our passage out was so great
that we really lei, the ship with regret,
while on the return voyage, though we
had far more agreeable weather, and
the most favorable winds, the days
dragged slowly and YEARLY along
The ship is very uneasy and uncotrl-
Portable, and she rolls badly in mod
crate sea, at least in comparison with
the Washington The table in the
latter contained all the luxuries the
market could afford, and the service
was in every respect unexceptlonable
that Of the Asia afforded little or moth
ing to tempt the capricious appetite oi
sea-sickness, and you had lot even
napkin al the dlnnsr-table. We had
very heavy weather for several days
going out, yet l do not remember
that the Washington ever shipped a
pint Of water but on the return voy-
age. with far quieier sea, there were
few days in which the decks were not
more or less wet. This difference a.
rises from the very construction of the
vessels, the Asia lying Comparatively
low in the water and having no upper
deck above the saloon, as all the Am
erican steamers have.
II bore testimony in letter some
months ago to the excellent qualities
of Captain Floyd, Of the Washington,
both in point Of seamanship, and of
kind attention to his passengers. And
J can speak with equal satisfaction Of
the watchful attention. Of Captain Jud-
kins to the noble vessel uuder his com.
mand He certainly inspired his pas
scneers with the fullest confidence in
his skill and care as commander
Nor, although his manner is destitute
of the suavity and ease which so gen.
orally mark the American sea-captain,
have | any fault to find with him in
! point Of attention to his passengers.
The Deficiencies Of the ship and Of the
table are, am persuaded, to be charg-
ed neither to Capt. Judkins, nor to his
! excellent steward, Mr.. Emmons. but
rather 10 the systematic parsimony Of
the British and North, American Steam
ship Company.
"On board the Washington we had
religious services with sermon, on
each Sunday, to which the passengers,
with few exceptions. gave respectful
attention nor did | learn that any
were offended By the use Of the cabin
for such purpose. In returning we
had no less than nine clergymen ofd.f-
fcrent denominations in the Asia. On
the frs, Sunday on, Capt. Judkins was
asked whether a sermon could be had
from one Of the ministers in the sa
'oon. He replied very politely tha, il
there was any munster OF the Church
of England or OF the American Episco-
pal Church on board, he could be in
yited to ofiiciate but that according
TO his orders, none Others conld he
asked to preach on board his ship. He
distinctly placed the responsibility OF
this procedure upon the Company,
whose orders he said, were imperative.
Accordingly, on the frs, Sunday out,
he read the Church Of England service
himself to the crew, and such, Of the
passengers as chose to attend in the
saloon. But OF the second Sunday, a
minister Of the Church of Scotland