The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-24
Steamshsp Enterprise In England.
OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENCE.

Mmkxam0s
QUIZ LONDON coRxxsr0SDsscx.
LosDox, Oct. I, 1869.
vis8 b ne Great Acknowledgment Ha,Tssow LION a.
I've Dcy-A Card Of Invisatioa--Soe,syy BY tie Way--
Getting on Board-Appeasance Of the Lsuas1an-A
Scisov's Salute to he Correspondent Of tie HyoJd-Krs.
Horizons Care Of TIE COmmander--At Dinser, and an
End Of the Descipto~, &c.
Your correspondent was the recipient this week Of
Gathering attention, by being invited to dine with
Captain Harrison aboard the Great Eastern The Captain
has become AZ great lion adays ~ the famous ship
he commands, and he does little else 70 Judge from the
newspapers these three weeks past than receive the visits
OF royal and noble pcrsonages who have Ockod crowds
10 inspect the nautical wonder Of tho world.
As no one has been admitted aboard the big ship this
week. from the preparations rapidly making for her de-
parture from Hoyhead tho 9th inst your CORES
pendent has reason TO think himself honored merely
for tho privilege Of ontxSe, but the offer share the
Captains ''ness" doubly inviting prospect left
London day before yesterday the 5h, and by way OF
making the trip easy, stopped at southampton-thrse
hours from London-and accepted the hospitality Of tho
United States Consul there FOR the night. word due
this worthy unctonary, who has deservodly the
appellaaion Of "amiable Thomson from his universal
civty 70 the hordcs OF Americans who, espe
ciay, take boat here for the lovely Isle Of Wight The
devoted Consul Ia yicmizcd not only Of his leisure me,
but Of every Of his paltry salary in bcstowing
knowledged Tho cvines Of Consul Thomson are rs IN.
bounded as miscellaneous, and he never shrinks from
any responsibility, whether trying his feelings his
purse He never stckcs ut paying the bill OF country
run short which happens many who here
with small credits; but nc nurses those who fall ILL., and
has buried few who made Southampton hnal
Ing place This more Of tribute than puff Consul
Thomson, wAO has really made good Samaritan Of him
self sics no 10 this duh but pleasant place.
Alter hurried breakfast, started with my host for
Weymouth, some three hourS distance which reached
In duo time, and jumping into enyn-angicc, a one
tbe MI tha
10 the Great Eastern. Weymouth is Of the favore
bathing resorts the south coest Of England and
siss chiefly o well butt stcsk facing the sea. II has
cheerful appearance from the numerous strangers that
promenade the quay and Crow ne windows OF tho hotels
ana lodging houses whea constitute the whole town.
kght opposite 10 weymouth picturesque island,
some three miles Oh, doue,w pretty viliaa and re-
Jocng in the name OF &sAnd which has become
famous not only for gsing LIS na 70 the rich quarres OF
stone, known everywhere, ci tinere still for M magnh
cent breakwae which is lie OF the wonders
oi the world About two-tsA1s completed aud
here under shelter OF this 80 southwark against the
fierce tempest. hes in CAIN imposing majesty the
world renowned Great Eastern.
We up alongside OF ser ~ twenty minutes steam
ing and our little cocsboat ouy enhanced the colossal
dimensions OF the "bg sn2, that looked like doatng
like anything but steamer do steady CONNER
cial business between Engsnd and the United States.
After considerable climbing up OF ladders slipped into
porhoG Of the Great EASTERN which brought on
30 deck that was lofty aud spacious but turned out
cellar, as were, OF this great hotel We met
bere by an officer Of the vessel who said his orders
perempory to admit no one my two friends, who took
the task OF accompanying me- were compelled to their
disappointment, turn back but my being on the
"frec st,' was escorted by the quartermasor to tho
\ captain 3 quarters
asceuded two temporary ladders and soon arrived on
the main deck and forgetting all about the quartermaster
and the captain stood stock still and stared quite Devil
dered about, before, above, and behind me. What
sight the breadth and extent Of that vast deck with
it's huge masts and their rigging with its tunnels and
chimneys with its houses and skyights, and with it's
numberless namoless other things Accustomed as
sights Of nautical kndfor have everything
naval or mercantile Of every size in every counryyet
was just much astonished may say astounded IL
had never boarded a vessel before.
was still gaz ng in rapt admiration, when the forbear
ing tar who had led the way pleasantly touched bis hat,
without speaking, much as to say, "whcn you arc
ready" so bid go on and did my best TO follow
hun
Elbow are you, my hearty" cried brisk familiar
voice. which brought once TO focus, aud look
ahead my eye fell on the tine form and genial res Of
took his pro1ered hand and underwent cordial sailors
grasp.
gone of which the "biow up capped the climax
expected, naturally, 10 find the man, whose weared
under any pressure quite battered broken undo.
the many and depressing trials he had through But
coored nay jolly and good hunored as in the pleasant
days when he commanded Cunarder, and had little els
70 do than make himself agreeable to the ladies' who's
| fav0rte be always was, and no wonder.
"Why, captain" exclaimed CATER all your fatigue
and reverses see no change in you save your whsker
"That the fault" he replied of this little lady; beg
to present you 70 Mrs Harrison Who clipping my locks
has not, happily, taken away my strength
bowed promptly 70 q very pretty woman with q yer
winning expression Of countenance and learned from
that she bad lately taken up her abode aboard the
Eastern; else she had little hope OF seeing her hus
band, whose whole time and half his affections
sorbed, she said, in her rival the Great Eastern.
"Wcll" said Capt H., " have you como prepared TO
| take pot luck with uses"
~" sharp appetite Ia all that is required am moro
than prepared For the breeze and the big ship
Their bad filed me with sensations that had finally settled
down into keen hunger.
"Then follow me- cried the captain; and giving
my arm 70 Mrs. b. did 3d. We entered q
splendid saloon just about mdships the main deck
was charmingly furnished, and between two windows
stood elegant marble mante piece with iron CRATE
Of the shape Of sea SHE'LL fine mirror adorned the
space above large table occupied the centre Of tho
ROOM and set for dinner The soup already on and
the captain, taking his seat at the head babe be
seated having, in his of hand but courteous way
duced me to another lady, Mrs L., who also guest
am obliged TO break of my story, such as ii s even
before have got 10 the middle of it, returned To Lon
don only hour ago. and the mail for the United States
just closing II Is vexatious that ii happens TO be mail
day, but prefer sending you this fragment rather than
wait another week to finish it,
livery body with YOU suppose, here Is anxious to
hear all he about the wonder of the day. the Great
Eastern and am just fresh from her decks send you
without apology this rough and ready glimpse of her.
which will next week lengthen out into somehat fuller
view.
Jersey City NcWs.