Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1856-01-19
Familiar Letters from Europe.

| PARIS 1855.
Dear u Judging you would bt
pleased to hear from me in my absence, purpose
giving you occasional accounts of my movements
and commence with our journey up to this time
As you know bid farewell to home and friends OF
the - Truly then did that little word cause
the heart to swell with emotion that no pen car
describe, and which few experience, except under
similar circumstances. The Captains final orders
given, and the signal that call were aboard,
hurried our friends ashore, and we soon left ou
fair city in the distance. The night was beautiful
the moon shedding her respondent rays from be-
hind the snowy curtains above, upon the still waters
Of the turbid Missippi; lent charm to all sur
rounding objects as we glided noiselessly along
On the evening of the next day we reached the
mouth, passed the bar with little trouble and were
soon afoat upon the beautiful gulf. We had warm
calm weather until we passed Cuba, the shores Of
which were tantalizingly visible. We afterward:
had a continuation of cold winds, when overcoats
and shawls were not only comfortable, but ne.
cessary During the first few days. life at sea was
a novelty and full of charms, but as the week
passed slowly and YEARLY, the heart grew thorough
ly sick, and pined for the good days of auld
Lang syne," for home, its joys and comforts; and
the loving society ofhome friends. But as was
never annoyed with seasickness, I could enjoy all
there was of interest, to advantage. I used to sit
for hours on deck, watching immense schools of
porpoises, sporting merrily around the vessel,
seemingly glad of the warm sunshine. l loved to
watch the ships in full sail they glided majesti-
eally along, sometimes there being as many as
twenty in sight at one time. But do think l
never witnessed more beautiful sight than ship
in full sail by moon-lght-truly all my most ideal
pictures were realized. loved too to listen to
the merry songs Of the Sailors and watch them as
they pursued their daily duties; but it was always
with a feeling of commiseration for them in their
utter degradation, and friendless, homeless condi-
tion-perfect slaves as they are; ordered from
place to place with out daring to exercise their
will. Let the philanthropic portion of mankind
pirate Of the hard lot Of our negro slaves, but far far
happier are they, than those poor wretches. Much
would prefer the lot Of slave on sugar planta-
ton, with master-kind and attentive in sickness
"a good home, good food, and good clothing
But this roaming life seems perfectly to &scinate
them, and the more boisterous the weather, and
terrific the storm, so much the more happy are
the poor sailors. We had one or two severe blows;
and l loved to watch them then, as they leaped
from rope to rope like so many cats, in their ex-
element, regardless of all danger
Oh how longed for storm; real old fashion,
ed one. We did have a most terrific gale one
night when the ship was obliged to heave to, with
one of her sails badly rent. But this I did not
witness, obliged as was to lie quietly in my BERTH
1t was indeed very tantalizing, for knew by the
loud, quick commands of Captain and officers, the
hurried tramps of the sailors as they hauled in the
Sails and the terrible rolling of the ship, that there
was something worth seeing.
Our ship was new, and well built, our Captain an
old experienced navigator, officers and crew as
good as could be found, and was perfectly fear
less; but the elements were contrary in daylight,
80 after voyage of six weeks, cannot say have
witnessed storm.
AS said before, our Captain was good COM
mander, and above all, good company, as well as
kind and humane to his crew. But for him, our
time would indeed have passed YEARLY. Intelli-
gent, quick, fill Of anecdote, and possessing a |
keen sense of the ridiculous, he could amuse and
keep us laughing for hours.
Among other objects of interest were several
whales, and the wreck Of vessel How wished
The latter could tell its story. Yet how terrible it
might have been-revealing unto us the agony of
so many poor creatures struggling with the angry
waves as they found their last resting place in the
deep cavern below-a prey to the ravenous
iwelers thereof. But though the contemplation of
such death almost chills the hearts blood, vet
when reflected seriously, felt that it made no
how or where our poor inanimate clay
S stored.
Well dear friend, the glorious 7th at last arrived,
when we took a pilot; never was poor fellow so
heartily and joyously welcomed before Then in
Iced did we feel that we were approaching our
leven of rest The weather changed for the
better; giving us fair breezes, while the sun shed
lis rays more generously than ever before, pour
ng sunshine into every heart. Yes every one
grew cheerful and happy, the Captain who had
been suffering, scarce able to move about with
7ery lame foot, seemed to walk as well as any one
md was more amusing than ever, while the sailors
an to and fro with as much life and activity, as
hough they had had six weeks of rest, instead of
work. Determined, to have one merry dinner before
eaving the social board of our noble ship, cham
'agne was furnished freely and toasts were drank
uitable to the occasion. All was now put in read
ness for our entrance into port, such as rubbing
md scrubbing generally. Hearing the command
hat all the sailors should bring their parcels of
obacco tied up with name attached, l enquired
he meaning of it, and learned that upon our arri-
al, it would be taken by an officer, and the men
eceive their daily allowance
On the morning Of the 9th l awoke about four
'clock to learn that we were in sight of Havre.
dy state room was soon deserted, and on deck,
ager to witness our approach to the city. Quite
change had come over the scene instead of the
irty set of deck passengers, there appeared COM