Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-11-26
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
A VOYAGE ACROSS THE ATLANTIC in AN AME-
RICAN STEAMER.
ny JAS. =. P. BouEDEs, ND.

by JAS L. BoULDES, ND.
We 1.-Two in steam propeing age The waters OF every
sea and river from whose margins barbac darkness has
vanished before the glorious light of human progress and
civilization are furrowed by the revolving wheel of the
vessel Old Is crossed in trice and
the yoyageur who, days previously, threading
broadway and admring the expanding greatness Of
metropolitan city, is now gazing from the dome OF ST.
Pauls upon London's world of brick tile and humanity.
As in the accomplishment of almost every other object
80 in the achievements and Accomplishments of steam
does Yankee go-aheadiyeness carry off the palm from
all conf EDITORS; and other nation can compare
with in regard to the number, yasness, comfort mag
nfcence and speed of our noble floating palaces that
ply the tud.on the Ohio, the Mississippi push boldly
out to the most distant seas neither does any other
people by the aid OF said agents hurry into eternity
fast Is that such decidedly fast nation
that not content with the ordinary rapid progression that
forms daily characteristic of American life,
must have speedy hghpressure mode of exit from
existence, the natural process OF fes ebbng to close
being too slop and tame for u.s.
Seriously speaking, however, let trust that long
the rapid ransits from section to another of
tensiye country will be attended by complete qua
rantes Of safety than at present that legislative inter-
ference win check that objectionable careessness that
has recently caused many csamtous results But it
is not upon the high as it is upon inland waters
that In an American steamer we need feel any peculiar
apprehension OF suddenly soaring aof becoming char
red, or meeng with watery grave and with the
Portable Of safety and almost certainty TINT in
less than fortnight we will be mngling in Old World
scenes let during the pleasant mouth of May, step
board the Baltic the Of her departure the
North Atlantic.
The last earnest grasp Of the hands and the fond
sure OF parting friends The booming cannon
and the paudts of the assembled multitude announce
that fairly off, and the lapse of but few
hours Castle Garden, Governors and Staten Islands
between and place Of embarkation Before night
has enveloped in its dark shades we proudly
reerDg Atantc waves and the receding shores of
America have vanished behind the swelling waters Now
having bid our native land ssgood night and expert
enced that feeling Of isolation that one who
for the first time is at retire to berth to in
duge in bright ances of Europes spendors dream of
the friends we left behind u.s. Vain hope! Happy
dreams and glowing ancies bless not but in lieu of
them prosrang every mental and physical energy,
all the nauseang effects of the ships unsteady motion
sleepess restless night is passed The morning dawns
yet brings not relief What would give if we
could ONLY stay that horrid motion and indulge in the
briefest quetude Food that land would be delicious
is indignantly rejected AT length tired of confinement
in narrow berth, venture upon deck: but
have attained the ships side and looked upon the
bright expanse Of waters than sickly, deadly feeling
created by those majestic waves otherwise much admired
comes upon feeling that pen describe hor
ribe to the last degree Our head aches violently
stomach with all its contents and these lend bitter taste
indeed to the tongue appears to be crowdng into
throat and seeking exit which every motion of the
vessel creates longing desire afford it, but with
out avail We reel, the ships unsteady motion unba-
ances US we totter against and seize hold of any object
that happens to be nearest wish had been
foolish as to leave the firm EARTH will again
look for sympathy in the face Of fellow passenger
but find it not for perchance he is in the plight
ourselves about to give up despair and abandon
ourselves to our sad fate when tremendous but friendly
lureh produces feeling that cannot be resisted and with
one mighty heave dslodge bilious accumulatons
and New York dinner of the previous day together
into the guphng waves and thus find temporary relief
Now for the first time begin take interest in what
is transprng around We actually, though suffering
much short time before, find ourselves amused by
the queer antics which that motion which made sick
causes the passengers to perform One man. thrown off
his dignity aud his feet stimuli taneously suddenly discovers
himself flor gerry brief time, however) in adys lap
couple promenading the deck ostled violently and
unceremoniouy together at the expense Of each others
ribs walk is suddenly accelerated by the ships de-
scediag motion, retarded by its uprising At the table
wine intended for the Ups is prccptaed the breast
inglorousiy marring that splendid sentiment that we
were about to put forth when proposing the health OF the
ladies
Gradually, time flies and the ship speeds on, be-
accustomed to its every motion We have Mt length
thoroughly recovered from sea-sckness. Now
feel like beings there sensation of buoyancy OF
elasticity about US that felt before we actually
rejoice that we have been SICK charming is the re-
covery from it.
Now that we have experienced all the disdgreca5ics
the keenly relish the pleasures of an ocean
life These afforded those who love gaze upon the
grand and beautiful in nature view the rolling pillows
chasing and overlapping each other to the horizons
sparkling with the suns noonde eugence, anon
Lit up his subdued rays when sinking in the west
sky that more lovely scene afforded by the clear
tranquil armament at night
"where, one by one, the living eyes of Heaven arise,
Quick kindling DER the face of ether
One boundess blaze !"
and nights bright queen sheds down her softest light
upon the gittering
1t is now, too, filled with meditation deep"
As look upon the mighty expanse Of waters sublime
in its vastness it's profundty and the eternal agitation
of it's BOSOM fully realize the wondrous power Of the
Great Creator of the elements and nsgnhcance;
the conviction home to that in the hands
of One who could speedily ride in tempest Ger the
and sink US within its lowermost depths
Growing less serious in contempations we dwell
upon that partial mastery the elements which the
genius of has achieved that enables to traverse
mighty to visit distant continents and the farthest
islands whilst yet surrounded by the comforts and luxu
res OF home upon the motive power of steam that has
converted the Atlantic into moderate sized lake. and
brought the eastern and hemispheres within ten
days of each other and proud happy feeling peryades
breasts when remember that country is in
feror to other in accomplishing these grand results
But let us turn from the zpeatve to the practical
adopted board to make the time pass away
agreeably.
g Going, going, gonel" What's that? 1t is not pos
sible auctioneer is board dsposing of his
No. not exactly dsposng OF merchandise, but there he
is, surrounded by half the passengers, regular New
York auchoneer well acquainted with the arts of his
profession, urging upon the bystandcrs tho value Of
number Humor plays upon his countenance, wit shines
in all his sayings. With many droll expression and
whimsical remark he keeps his audience in roar of
laughter Even grave DIS and ladies' too, participate
in the enjoyment of the But what is he selling
hear you ask Let explain. The ship makes every
twenty four hours number Of miles, somewhere between
twelve o'clock During the morning the auction takes
hav nd tuni al