Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1857-03-28
Lospos, JANUARY Is, 1857.

Does every one when first gazing full upon the shores
of the Old World find himself half in doubt what phase
of his feelings if any belongs to real lfes Have the
waves Of monotonous least of novel fortnight al
most washed out the clearly defined outlines of the past
till the broad the only truth the land-lie
in the past DREAM and that before him but castle in
the air Such at least my feelings when entering
St. Georges Channel; and it was in dream that I
remembered awakening to the early darkness of New
Years in Washington the hurried preparations the
newfalen 1.-THE first of the season Fastening the
effect of the grey dawn the abrupt farewell the spires
of Trinity Church last family visible and the first rising
of the New Years sun when / was gone. So too the
dreary day and the shivering halfozen friends upon
the New York wharf when the noble steamer moved off
and the inhosptabe in which were driven by
see snow hail. and arude Northwestern out of our haven
into the open, blank, and boisterous sea.
doubt whether the most disagreeable voyage old as
is the theme is thoughtful mind void of material for
reflections; but have other subjects upon which to
dwell Still omit the opportunity to re-assure
those, any there be, who doubt the vigilance of the
officers of the Atlantic steamers, have the story from
"pars magma ft himself IN. the latter watch of
calm, clear moonless night year ago. the officer on
deck suddenly saw through slight mist light almost
directly ahead "Helm hard port vessel close under
HSo1hOA-oon.
AT obedent the steamer veered around still plung
ing ahead through the deep and they looked see
the vessel narrowly avoided pass by But her light
drew nearer though it did rise higher and the officer
was after that more than compmentsd on his con-
sidsrateness in not running down the morning star
On the twelfth night of very rough and long pas
sage sat up till midnight to see Cape Clear light,
which beamed upon tell that the ocean was cross
ed within FIVE minutes of the time foretold The next
morning "hugged the Irish coas-in fact we could
have Rugged any thing for joy had the satisfaction of
looking down upon the Satee Islands, and growing
proud in approaching release turned backs upon
Tuscan light In the succeeding night the guns and
rockets told to the wakeful of pilot and bar the
mouth Of the Msrsey, and, when the morning
of the 17th there lay Liverpool before u.s. its scattered
lights drowsily blinking through the English mist
and through what was trying to be the approaching
dawn.
In due time the officers of the customs had sufficiently
tumbled clothing and mixed up books and cravas to
be sure there cigars in either, and we were
emptied upon British soil 1t was muddy soil; it was
the first fact to which attained full perception on
landing and this very day for the first time have en-
;oyed dry walking.
As it was Saturday, and did wish to nger over
Sabbath left Liverpool till my return and with full re-
spect for its grave and ssdate brownstone buildings all
looking massively and complaceaty upon citizen of
country whose history is but two hundred years sent
my luggage to the station, got my ticket at the booking
Office saw my said luggage put the top of the carriage
got into the same, and really made myself most COM
Portable with full realization of two more facts viz
that in England must have plenty of shillings and
one must not be in hurry
castle now and then some handsome quadrangular
groups of architecture, which we were told was this
lords or that sirs villa the numerous little Gothic
country churches; the green fields Gin January y sur
rounded with hedges instead of fences the fresh and
blooming girls in attendance at the station refrsshmen
rooms and, most continuously, exclusive compart
ment IN the rapay carriage and its delightful gliding
motion, all made realize that we were indeed in TO-
is-e- PARTS"
we taken an express should have been en- route
- hours We did not, and consequently arrived in
EaoPoiis with the fatigues of nine hours travel
was glad At once .sssek the substantial comforts
an abuadant bath and oldfashionsd ourtained Eng
Dish bed.
If not the first thing perceived upon cultivating an
acquaintance with London, was the result of nv first
perceptions that, far my reading had gone our
travellers and open their eyes London
according to the previously well conned directions of
guide-books emanatng from London ITSELF and conse-
quenty marking as notable only what notable even to
resident of that cy and that therefore, however they
may think and write about afterwards they see at first
what they told to see and think and feel what they
are told to think and feel In fact one cannot avoid these
beaten routes avoid having his thoughts and feelings
therein duly laid out for him; but after all for the
sanen novelties OF London, I, for one was not at all
prepared.
began with an anteprandial walk to Regents Park
and continued my explorations later in the day by plune-
ing into the city. Here wandered without settled plan
Tor hours and had time permitted would have done so
for days. Tor the sake of the old familiar names unex
pectedly sprnging upon as turned corner and
nquisitivey found my way into some venerable close
How much old topography thought might be gathered
even IN such walk, and how much ancient local history
and upon the corners of the street.
and lanes AS assembled Ludgate Hill and SUCCESSFULLY
entered upon Moorgate, Aldgate, (Old gate) Alders
gate, lOlder-gae, Bishopsgate and Newgate streets
could realize the little city that was once comprised
within the limits of these gates Temple Bar HoIborn
Bar, &c reminded me of the extent of its CELEBRITIES
beyond its walls and, passing thus back into the olden
time st. PauPs Church-yard filled again with its
tombstones the fleet little streamet trickled down the
thoroughfare which now bears that name and the pe
dssran by the river side plodded his quiet way along
the strand to the neghborng city of the Westminster
Cathedral or to the Church of St. Martins in the fields
The fields Of Lncoln's Inn are truly such once more
Coyentgarden is in full bloom Hay-market rejoicing in
the abors of the scyhe and the lawyers have not yet
Succeeded to the bal1auad nrao;n.+a IL.