The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-27

seemed able TO get without him. Every MOMENT
during the dinner somebody came in with an ".ixcase
me- Captain, butt and naper was presented to DO
signed, his directions asked to bow this or
that was TO be done. The prosecuted commander made
desperate efforts TO play his part Of host and rather than
have the amenity Of his table disturbed he apoogzed
frequently, and bolted out Of the saloon with lot Of oal
Gals at his heels Returning, he woulI take his knife
and fork again. and the nteres ting Of
incident OF the late explosion when the interruption
would break in TILL at last begging me TO take his place,
and cut up the pheasants and be civil to the ladies, he
resigned himself to his fate gave up his dinner and left
US for the last time.
g" is paying rather dear for the glory Of commanding
the Great EASTERN, remarked, 'to be obliged to aban-
don such birds these. Shall help you TO a wing
"Then you think" said Mrs. H. smiling archy at is
harder Cor the captain to away from pheasant than
from ms company, to say nothing Of his wife,"
"By no means,a stammered out. 'swhat did sayS"
woke up fror my unconscious homage to the spen
did game before There was thing that struck
forciby amid the repeated assaults upon Captain lar
risons PATIENCE that he took them quietly as target
does balls showing the utmost mpassabily, giving his
replies and orders with coolness precision and above
all civity that proved my mind that he the right
man in the right place
Dinner over stroled out upon deck with the ladies,
where met the captain hurryfng by.
Sorry to be so rude" said he, 'but here's glorious
segar-e present from New York"
siay your shadow never be less y Irephed taking the
proffered luxury.
snow my man, if you want to get glimpse OF the ship
there's be lost is getting dark and there are
no lights below My quarters you have seen, except the
bedroom and bath room-here they are.
followed Capt. H into the apartments mentioned,
in the Everett House.
81 have Mt time to go down stairs with yon," continued
the Captain rapid words movements, shut here's
my steward, Dan, who will show you all the wonders"
'sMany thanks, was going to say, but the captain was
out Of hearing Snow, Dan, take TO the grand saloon,
want TO see what's left oft"
descended wide stair case like of the lights In
the Capitol and in a minute was in the midst
of lofty, spacious apartment like hall parlacc, but
up my knees shvings surrounded by carpenters
looked round rather bewiered but Dan began his func
tons a cicerone.
sA the mirrors was smashed except them fastened
in the wall The floor was all blowed up just here-al
these 'ere pillars was carried away
"Not these, surely, Dan The gliding is too fresh and
bright"
WAS this blown away" asked pointing to one end Of
the saloon OF solid oak.
ssNo sir, said Dan, slowly Il sorry admit that
anything was stronger than the explosion; Shut these
starcases all dropped just like nothing into the hold below
and lady had just got to the top and fell forward the
deck"
1t was getting darker every moment, 30 bid my pilot
to push on hastily From the grand saloon passed into
the dining room, filed with long mahogany tables run
ming abreast each other and than could stop to
count 1t looked like superb banquetting hall, and
minded me of the Egyptian saloon in the Lord Mayors
city mansion
"Now Oar" exclaimed, show me some Of the state
rooms, quick, or it will be too dark to see them"
"Here you sr,N and he led me into
charming private parlor with table the centre and
bedrooms adjoining This struck me as the beau ideal Of
travelling Just think Of small party of congenial
souls having their own private room and table while
crossing the Atlantic, instead of being jammed into @
crowd of hundred people you don't know and can't like,
and obliged sit still dinner till the mob dispense that
you may creep into the open air This private parlor
thoroughly capvaed me, and threw into the shade all
the contryances for comfort that modern invention has
introduced into such ships the Arago and the Persia
One of the greatest annoyances in crossing the Allan
tic, nowadays, is living the live long day in the
publicity fish does water not to tire Of this perpetual
scrutiny. You might well be picture hanging In q
for everybody does nothing else than stare at and COM
ment each other What refuge to fly to must be this
private parlor aboard the Great Eastern Happy the
bob who can buy it up for himself and friends over
stayed my time nduging in these reflections and conte
plating the attractions of this pretty boudor The shades
Of night thckened fast that had need Of the constant
aid OF my escort to grope my way safely along.
'Just look in here sr,' said Dan, throwing open the
door of a state room leading into the grand saloon.
"Whats the use, ! answered, 81 can't see any
thing"
boiling steam filed the saloon"
"Wbai presence of mind.'
"Yes,u continued Dan, "nothng saved 'em but that
She boiled in and closed the door, and when she heard
the captains voice ont and he passed em right up
if it was any body ese's child he was handling"
lie was all captain then, Dan, . exclaimed, "and had
no time TO play father"
'..Just So sir" was Dams appreciatory response.
With that came ont upon deck again, and was seized
with a sensation Of wonderment. The moon mean
while had risen and in its soft bewtchng light the Great
Iked nlrQ 10 n mo n mi ho
such things than of the Cant scribe the
negro preacher said when he found his eoquence unable
magical sight, with all It's surroundings-that
juvenile mountain already mentioned overhangng the
village Of Portland; the magnificent breakwater; the
town Of Weymouth with long line Of gttering lights
running the entire length OF its extensive espanade to
say nothing Of several line battle ships lying in the
harbor carrying large sparkling lanterns fore and aft to
turn and finally compelled to light my segar
to puff away my acute Of the sublime and beaut
full, which was taking too much of my mind
Walking astern l met the ladies promenading in
the moonlight | joined the group and tried t,
affected by all had seen and felt Mrs.
h listened with polite attention; but could not
help suspectng that this amable lady had already under
gone such repeated broadsdes Of astonshment and de-
light from everybody she had encountered that was
only civil to spare her much possible, suddenly
closed the valve upon my expanding emotions. As we
were walking up and down O portion only Of the quar-
ter deck, esped man standing close up against
pedestal 10 brass six feet high and wide in proper
ton He mounted STOOL He seemed quite absorb ID
in gazing alternately the top OF the brass pillar and the
heavens above His attitude was SO motionless and his
attention rapt, that thought be inwardy rumi
mating the destiny of the Great Eastern and seeking
to read in the planets above the fate that awaits her.
he is not asrooger he be somnambuist walking
in dreamland. Nobody seemed to observe him,
which puzzled me the more ! began to think
endowed with second sight. Giving rein
to my curiosity asked, What in the world is
that man about" pointing to the silent figure
that kept raising and dropping its head like Chinese
mandarin "Oh only Mr. Gray, Of Liverpool said
Mrs H. 'who is regulating that splendid chronometer
OF his by the stars
times by moonlight Not long after the captain came up
saying he had few minutes at his DISPOSAL started
off walk and talk matters and things general.
We had not got fairly under way when gruf voice
shouted near us, Gan ready, sir That's the mail boat"
s" berth with us 80" you must be- srrin aAs
"Many thanks" replied "but have
promised to return TO Southampton by the last train
With prouse Acknowledgements TO my host and hostess
set about descending by the series Of ladders TO
the very depths Of the Great Eastern. " Show light
x1,n knl.,x sha an,oi