New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-06-27

mig an albatTnss, cHhslhH inc nene w scb .ho ~ !"
laid eggs or watching lest the poor cows should be
worried by the dogs Delightful concerts We had,
sweet moonlight nights-t the captain, the young
and handsome Count de c., and L., whoee sScet
voice YOU must remember, all aiding. Then such
learned discussions and gay Conversations aud
grave ones always something new ard agreeable.
/ was perpetually wondering at the inexhaustlole
stock Of knowledge all subjects possessed by
these Frenchmen, and the wealth OF words always
az command. To the very last hour on board the
vessel. there was still something interesting and
new IA be spoken Of
Our cargo consisted Of mules and cows; II was
very valuable one, as only the most hardy oil THESE
animals can bear the long, hot voyage. Eve OF the
COWS were Of the best Norman breed, and ON the
eighth day out the most beautiful vi them died iron
the heat. Whom the gods love die young In
the still evening she consigned TO watery
grave while the glow-worms of the sea came forth
with their llyer-hghted torches almost rvallng the
stars in brilliancy, to welcome her.
One of the mates had several cages Of Canary
birds and as we passed the Isles the little creatures
twittered and sung, as though they knew they were
passing their ancestral homes, and praying 10 be set
free. Very pretty and pleasant seemed the Canary
Isles and much we lODged to go ashore, although We
had been onlv Il week at sea. One or the Isles re-
senbles church with high tower and as you re-
cede the illusion is perfect, until, while gazing,
church and tower fade away in the dim twilight.
As We passed BY Africa We had a shower OF red
sand from the Desert Of Sahara, and as Tar as the
eve could see was cOuteur dc rose. 1t is SAID tnat
tie elevation of the Desert is gradually diminishing
in consequence of the immense quantity OF sand that
is yearly blown into the sea.
Crossed the Line the Eth day out In the morn
ing spoke a vessel, which proved to be the =,
bound for Rio, and commanded by n friend OF our
captaip's a very handsome, Intelligent man, VINO
dined with u.s. and lett in the quiet evening, bearing
with him our letters to the United States VIA Rio;
tie day for the sailors high holiday ana the
noyices in crossing the Line were OF course show
cred with rain and peted with hail (strongly resem-
bling white beans) by some emissary OF Neptune
concealed in the shrOuds. But when night came on
the sea-pod himself trident and all, was actually seen
hoyeriDg about the ship, while blue lights were
burning in all directions.
Tie weather until the 9th degree south was
intensely hot. Our cabin was 50 uncomfortable
that We dned on deck, enjoying at the same time
the fresher air and the gorgeous sunsets which, IN
these ATTITUDES, are beautiful beyond description.
The clouds, particularly after shower, take forms
as of cities with towers and castles. One night
we saw what seemed To be a large lake surrounded
with antique statues; another time there was city
with large bay or harbOr in blue aud gold, and, as
thorph 10 complete the illusion, two vessels APP
peared and sailed into the golden cloud, as though
approaching the city, and thus disappeared. Once,
SO strong was the resemblance the clouds bore to
town that one of the passengers insisted that mis-
take had been made by the captain, and that we
were actually approaching the Isle of Bourbon.
One day we saw three watcr-spouts; the last
one turned our ship completely round, and for
half minute made great cOmmotlon; but hap
pily il passed away without doing any serious injury.
Aprtl I've saw two large brown birds called
cerdonniers (shoemakers), with wings larger than
their bodies.
april Clouds at sunrise resembling the sunset
clouds of New England at the commencement OF
Autumn; saw many whales.
April 3.-Calmer; shark caught with hook,
and very beautiful looking fish it is, gray outside,
and white underneath, and most uninyltng mouth.
A little fish, the romOrd, sometimes called pilot (as
it is by some supposed to guide the shark was near
its mouth The remOra has singular little instru-
ment like cup, by which it fastens itself to the
shark. Whether ii is nourshed by the sharks
blood, or whether it shares the sharks dinner is
not vet decided but the learned say there is res
son to consider it rs pilot.
For three weeks advanced slowly, many short
Gains: saw green clouds; strange birds flying around
the yetsel; many were taken prisoners some we're
eaten, some were stuffed, some died martyrs b
scieI CO. some were set free and some fe" away
One beautiful gray bird, as large as crow, Win
green neck, black and yellow beah and claws, re-
served for "A muse am in Maurltius, was accidentally
emanciput+d. Many albatrOsses were caught with
hook and after satisfying the curiosity OF the learned,
ANONYMOUSLY eaten by the sailors, who evidently
had 10 fear of sharing the fate OF the Ancient Mar
incr Some of the albatrOsses were perfectly white,
others of the most delicate shades OF brown. The
feathers under their wings are very beautiful, and
the down on then bodies much thicker than on
the swan. They have beautiful-sba necks, and
indeed look truly regal, and after being caught stand
regarding their captors as stOlid as Indians
guard commodore was caught and stuffed. This
bird is similar to the albarOss bpt much larger, be-
inc ] was told, the largest sea bird. The one in
question was pure white, with the exception OF a
crayat of cOlored feathers. Pretty black BIRDS
with white breasts, the size of pigeon, were con-
saBty Ground the vessel The sailors say that they
are haunted by the souls of wicked captains, and
now come begging food as their punishment When
they rested or where they made their nests, was and
still is a mystery TO me.
Man ]. Sunday-SumptuOus breakfast and dinner
the captain thinks it is our last Sunday On board
Mau 2.-Great cleaning of the vessel. {. is very
busy painting the coat Of arms OF Nantes, to put
over the cabin door. Many land birds seen. b. in
ecstasies, exclainling "A Paile queue" and all
the Maurtians rush on deck to this beautiful lit
tie bird said to be peculiar to the isles around Maui
ritus Such waving Of caps and handkerchiefs-
such shouts Of joy at the sight Of their compatriote
az they call it, Ii is the last thing that speaks OF
home as they leave their loved island, and the first
to welcome them on their return to their native
shores. Very, very strong is the attachment Of the
Mauritians to their beautiful, birthplace, and all had
tears in their eyes they watched the receding
form Of the little visitor
The Paille en- queue is about the Size of small
pigeon, perfectly white, with two long feathers in
its tail OF a straw color hence its name, Palle en-
queue-straw in the tail. The birds from the Isle
Of ROdrgues haze red feathers in their tails, but
still are called Paille en queue.
Sunday, May IA calm. Saw beautiful red
Bird large as an abatross, name unknown. In the
Ia.l Of tha olutinnus suhstanc