Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-11-26

III,
the auction for that day.
These sales at first glance appear be species Of
gambling but when we are acquainted with the fact that
oneha Of the proceeds goes to the relief of the poor
sailor we are not apt to condemn them.
Aft is the smoking At all hours, but especially
after dinner, when the number is increased, here
gathered engaged in conversation lost in orgenness
amid the choice Cuba leaf those whose stomachs
not peculiarly disposed to succumb to tie combined
influences Of the ships motion and the dense at
mosphere Of the place.
Below, in the magnifcenty furnished ladies' saloon,
where but for the Earring motion Of machinery and an
occasional urch of the boat would fancy himself IN
Of the most splenddly adorned and comfortably ar
ranged drawngrooms of America is clustered agree
able company of ladies and gentlemen around piano,
listening the soft strains of music; young lady is
skully touching the keys mngng with their harmony
her clear voice. whose ducet warbngs seconded by
gentlemans strong bass, form strange and delightful
contrast with the rushing element without 1t is indeed
home picture that group around the singers and the
instrument; those four INDUCING in social game OF
whist those damask velvet cushions tempting to and
Incidence those mirrors large and costly rejecting every
object in the room those domestics hurryng here and
there with the most delicious fruits the innocent prae
of children in their nurses laps tumbng over the
floor and that friendly social feeling peryadng the as
sembly.
But it is Sunday-sunday in the midst of the ocean!
No loud and prolonged succession Of bells peals
land, in christian country breaks upon the still
ness of the morn One single bell, rung measuredy,
reminds that it the Sabbath of the Lord and sum
His worship; and how solemn and impressive
II
Then gathered in the aft saloon and with attentive
listening the eloquent peadings of such eminent
divine as DR.. Wainwright Of New York. are christians
Of a., creeds forgetting their sectaran preuccs kneci
ing down to and singing the praises of common Re-
deemer, and acknowledging his omnipotence. What
place more meet for such Acknowledgement? Under what
circumstances could we feel ourselves more papaby in
the power of God readily appreciate individual
worthessness and insgnihcance in contrast with His
glory and might?
Having noticed some of the most prominent events
that lend interest to voyage let look about
and see what variety of people, character and manners
we have board.
Here is real Jonathan from away down East" who
in truly republican STYLE whistling some
such air Hail Columbia" and willing to bet any
amount that America is ahead of all creation in any
thing you can start there is warm booded Southcrner
from the cotton country his way lands where though
slavery exist not in form, yet doth it in principle Walk
ing hurriedly up and down the deck ready for 5oe
upon the first sound of the dinner gong are couple of
young Engshmen who have been making tour through
the States and returning, after years absence
from their country with many preconccived notion
and prejudice in reference to dispeled by observa
ton; venerable Divnes there, visiting the old
ecclesiasc representatives the world
TOO on board taking notes with the view day of
edyng the world with the results of their observation
Here and there are men women whose feeble motions
and pald counenances convince US that they seek
ing Ill the briny air. the umuuous action of the sea,
change of scene &c., that precious boom good health
men whose heads covered with the fests of age
for the first time yenturing the great deep
mes of collegiate life and glowing with the enthusiasm of
travel the miss not yet emerged from her teens ardent
and romantic her mind filed with bright antcpations of
those lands of beauty and osong that have long impress
ed themselves upon the dreams of her youth and upon
which, long, she hopes to gaze and tread; the dplo
mat after brief visit his friends in America,
turning to his honorable post at foreign court;
chants their way purchase the fabrics of Western
Europe, which goody portion of fellow-citizens
deem superior to own, not aays because they have
hrmer texture or more perfect finish but oft ween on
account of its being supposed that the productions of
foreign loom must necessarily surpass our gentlemen
retired from the busy of money making life
spending their time and their for tho relaxation
entertainment, and information afforded by travel peo
pie speaking various languages the loquncious French
man, the gesticulatng Spanard, the nurshaun, smok
ing beer drinking German and the short-cropped
Russian are all there mihgng social harmony like one
large family Whatever may be their individual tastes
their personal sectional national preudices these
all merged into desire please and to be pleased
angry words are spoken unpleasant wit
nessed all act like persons moving to the harmoni
accomplishment of one grand purpose
At length the shores Of Europe and breasts
heaye with delight that voyage pleasant as it
has been, is about to terminate that
to set our foot upon something stable, eyes
augbt else beside the tossing wave.
We think not SO much of land when out but few days;
feel that certain time elapse before
reach the shore for which we destined, and with
commendable philosophy divert minds with whatever
is transprng around but, when conscious that the
land toward which steering is not far distant how
anxious become, how long for glance of it. how
stretch vision and elevate the captains spyglass
to discern its first fen outlines the distant horizon
And then the interval between the first cheerful glimpse
Of and arrival at it appears longer than day we
haze spent the Atantc the shores actually appear to
retreat and feel if will reach them. But
in the course of time the " fastened light standing out
in majestic relief upon isolated rock the dashng
in restless breakers around it. whilst stands high and
firm if in proud defiance Of the elements, is passed
Soon, upon the verge of hill four hundred and fifty feet
above high water is perceived Cape Clear lighthouse,
whilst deep valley and high hill follow each other in quick
succession almost every revolution of the wheels de-
veopng objects along the rock bound coast OF Ire
land whose general aspect though dreary else yet glad
dens nor the coydgeurs weary VISION and enables him
to perceive, in the distant hills crowned with manor
sidences and surrounded by parks the white crested
poughing the waves with light fcecy clouds lowering
over all, beautiful and pleasant picture.
And now the great ocean il crossed. We are In ST.
Georges channel and with bounding hearts view every
object land and water that denotes approach
to port We 60 below and partake Of lat dinner.
This occasion, we ind affords fine opportunity for the
display Of eloquence. The wine hat day is furnished by
the captain The noble qualities social and seamanke,
Of that gentleman spoken Of in the most laudaory
reference is had the prosperous voyage that is
about to terminate, to the INSTRUMENTATION existing
between the two enlightened countries Of England and
America, produced mainly through the medium Of the
magnificent steamers of the respective countries, in
tercourse calculated not only to promote c interests
and prosperity but to produce social and political adj
vantageous effect countries less favored with liberal
and benefccnt institutions auson is made to the great
harmony existing between the passengers during the
whole voyage, &c.
Every thing passes off very agreeaby at the table, and
after pretty heavy inhibition of champagne the passen-
gers all assemble upon deck 1t is their last