The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1859-09-22
o ORIGINAL SKETCH.
Written for The Alleghanian.
Extracts from E'e cEEiingsa at Sea.
BY A CITIZEN OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

b1 a OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
There is probably no city on the conti-
nent Of Europe that presents such pecu-
liar and varied aspect to the foreigner as
the city of Gibraltar Its inhabitants
seem to be composed of nearly every kin
dred and people, so that it is almost i'm
possible to say which race predominates,
or to which belongs the original proprie-
torship of the soil. The English, Amer
lean and Spanish appeared to be carrying
on the principal mercantile operations Of
the city, whils the French and Italian
generally confined theselves to the retail
trade. Beside these, there was a conglom-
crate mass of mankind from every nation
under Heaven continually erowding the
streets, apparently without business of
any kind.
Porters and runners, as is usual in all
cities, .were here in large numbers, and
showed qualifications for their office un-
equalled by those of any city of America
L had one advantage over these pests to
strangers, in that l could not understand
the language of any Of them; 50 that
whether accosted by French, Spaniard or
Turk, [ was alike ignorant Of their wants,
and thus escaped an annoyance always
dreaded by newly arrived forei sher at a
strange port.
Having made my way through the
crowd that thronged the landing, [ en-
deavored to pick my steps as carefully as
possible along the best and cleanestlook-
ing streets, anxiously examining the diff
ferent shops and houses of entertainment
for some place where refreshments could
be obtained, without encountering a host
OF greasy natives. Indeed, it seemed as
if they had devoted this particular day to
endeavoring to Fill all the thoroughfares.
and throng every place where anything
either to eat or TO drink was kept. After
wandering through some half dozen streets
or alleys, and making as many turns as
might have taken one from Dock Square
to Washington street, in Boston, | fortu-
nately came upon a market place, and
there encountered three American sea-
men-one from our own, and two from
another ship, now in port. Their object
being the same as mine, and being better
acquainted with the city, we soon found
ourselves comfortably seated in what they
We're pleased to call Coffee-House On
the table before us, was placed pewter
mug, containing liquid which went by
the name of Santa Cruz. Drinking this
gave Us an appetite for something more
substantial, so we Immediately adjourned
to an Eating House, kept by nondescript
foreigner, who persisted in saying he was
an Englishman. If so, he must have
forgotten the language, as it was with no
little difficulty, even with the aid of our
whole Spanish and French vocabulary,
we made ourselves understood. Having
finally succeeded Gas we thought in do
ing SO, We were soon furnished with an
abundant dinner-not exactly what we
called for-but Of dishes prepared some
what in character with the landlord of
unknown nationality. Notwithstanding
the Objectionable flavor Of onions and gar
lie, we did it ample justice, as it was still
preferable to the salt junk and sea bread
on which we had Jared the past three
months. Our host, on learning that we
were Americans, endeavored to secure a
continuance Of our custom by declarations
Of high esteem for America and American
institutions and to our great amusement,
attempted to describe voyage he had
made to New York. Like the "certain
man who went down from Jerusalem to
Jericho our good friend had fallen, if
not among thieves, among set of sharp
ers, who had sadly victimized him in some
of the games not exclusively confined to
that city. But, forgetting his former pro-
testations of admiration for America, and
his love of freedom, he ended by such
epithets as we would fain construe into any
other meaning, than that all Yankees are
ID set of scoundrels, rascals, &c
Just then we ended our dinner, and not
considering the would-be Englishman's S
expressions worth noticing further than
by a grin of silent contempt at his ver-
dancy, we settled our bill and retired,
scarcely noticing his numerous bows and
other signs of gratitude-all of which sig
nifcantly requested US to "call again.
Our leave of absence being limited to
the next morning, we determined to make
the most of the afternoon, which was done
in promenading through the principal
parts of the city; and we need scarcely
add that this was an enjoyment that can
only be fully appreciated by one when
first put on shore after a long and tedious
sea voyage.
Evening coming on, we concluded to go
TO the theatre of Casa ST. Carlos, which