The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-10-29
Our Ocean Correspondence.
OK BOARD STEAMER GEORGE Law,

q WI
Thursday, Oct. IL, 1854.
Letter from Lady Passenger on the Steamship
George Law-Seiour Accidcufs on Boord-IHe
Ladies and The Babies-N Nothing to Eat--
Life on the Octo~ Ware-Society on Board q
California Sftomer.
sit down in the Purser's room to write line
for the HERALD--a thing sooner and easier said
than done. The thing is almost impossible, CON
steering the " ills that wait on frail humanity
en- board an ocean steamer, besides Interruptions
from the male sex, and eruptions from the females
and the steamer pitching and tossing occasionally
by way Of change. pitching me, ii not " into the
middle Of next week" into the middle OF the saloon,
OF into some nice mans arms-not my husbands.
TbeL there is the great evil the crying evil in fact
the babies I used to think them i" blessings
you think them SO now; but don't, il you haven't
ventured, don't try it. Go to sea with parcel OF
them just OF ce, and you'll endorse my remarks.
Why, bless you, we have only got thiTty-two on
music il their own pc uiar style about four 10 the
morning, and manage to keep Il up regularly
throughout the day; and the best, or rather the
worst Of it, u.s. that when one begins the rest il
in duty bound, all follow, striving each to
Guido the other. Why, sir, you haven't the least
idea of it. Bedlam wouldn't be circumstance.
Such muss and fun az there Is In the cabin every
morning, washing and getting up the little uns.
and fcme Of them are "got up" at considerable
expense sid waste of patience and Of time. There
is one in particular-my next door neghbor-who
l am certain has some design upon my peace and
quietness; he'll never be guilty Of leaving this
world with the lung complaint. l have heard OF
squalls, but never did encounter such squalls Is
Theses even old sailors tell that squalls at sec are
ncthir to them. Now, confessing to all these ills,
can nceive it possible for me to write and prove
intare sting.
The ship [the George Law is q fne one, and the
officers gentlemen, except the steward, who, when
made him long speech, nearly as long a. my
ann, begging for something to eat, just bite,
looked at me to see II really meant it, smiled,
turned upon bis heel, and quilted the premises,
leaving me a prey to rsQe, hunger and despair.
The provisions sre positively awful-n0thing at to
eat-ncthing bu. love and my own good looks keep
me alive. Ahem!
line. Many old San Francisco people, who came
home with determination to settle, but after few
months there couldn't stay from the golden shores
of San Francisco.
Time hangs heavy on board steamer; everything
and everybody gets to be monotonous. OF course,
you begin the day by getting up, which 10 under
taking, then try little breakfast, which is more
difficult still, then on deck for . while; You say
good morning" to everybody, everybody SAYS
good morning" to you read little, chat q little,
remark upon the weather. your neighbors, wonder
II that young woman is married who keeps up such
an incessant Irritation with the handsome young
man who is constantly at her side and doing all the
pretty little attentions that are incident to voyage
at sea, psyir her compliments and her wine bills
"lspipg soft words and 10 ling his soul to sleep"
Then you remark upon the young woman whom you
where she was born" and you wonder how PEG.
pie can "** 50, for you say You are sure you can't
see anything pretty-n0t even interesting and
then you think one thing is certain, that she will
never return alone, for now that you look at her
second time, you think her "chances are good"
Then you have on either side of you loud talking
ladies' fast talking ladies, and ladies' that can't or
won't talk at all. TIE male part Of the community
are generally all rights now and then you meet with
not quite "such good 'un."
After your lounge on deck it's about time for
lunch-a very Important deration-when crack
and cheese are demolished in large quantities,
claret are made mysteriously to disappear At thai
time the chat is generally Of home and the " old
foks we have left there It's the most social meal
on board. After lunch, another lounge around and
about; then the great event OF the day to some on
are blessed With It's enough to make man for
swear his country and his friends. The piles of
meats, vegetable and "sich" like things as are de-
molished is positively shocking to one Of weak
the luxury Of eating Dinner over, We are down
for nap, and if the babies will let you, why you
enjoy it, get no refreshed, ready for tea and the
jolIy-no airs, no fdlls-all hail fellow well met.
A good song, with good round ringing chorus
fri m a set Of wholesoued ones in the crowds
pretty sentimental song from pretty lady, who
tells US that she has learned TO love anotaer" (she
don't mention who he is)-a quotation from the
"immortar' and perhaps o negro air or two. sung
by somebody that can't siDg-innumerable jokes,
had pups and story telng-then it is about time to
get drowsy, and then to bed. So ends our day upon
the steamer.
To morrow we shall be at Aspinwall, and our
good captain tells Though they all do that each
trip that we have made an uacom monly quick pas
sage. With renewed assurances Of my distinguish
ed consideration, hope to be as formerly, your
SUNSHINE.