The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-07-23


[FRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENCE
The Great Eastern-Her Vast Size and apparent
Strength and Security.
New YORK, July 10.
The exhibition of the Great Eastern which is
advertised to cease on the 2sth, is certainly not
closed because of any lack of interest or curiosity
on the part of the public. From five to six thous-
and citizens and strangers leave their contribu-
tons daily at the entrance-gate to the monster,
and there is no apparent reason for believing that
the crowd is likely soon to grow less. On the con-
trary, when the tide OF Southern Fundamentally
late this season-shal begin to set in more steadi-
ly, the chance of larger profits would seem to in
crease likewise, and it might be matter of very
proper consideration for the owners of the Levia-
than whether, like our own overgrown Peunsylva-
mia, Comparing small things TO great,) she is not
apt to be better as "receiving ship than as
anything else. Beyond doubt, however, the
gentlemen in question ought to know their own
interest best, though, unfortunately, thus far, it
has not turned out so.
do not of course, mean by these observations
to disparage the noble ship except as a money
making speculation, for in all that science and
naval art and architecture can achieve she is,
unquestionably, worthy monument to the
time power and the genius of the great nation
which sent her down to the sea. Lying safely
moored to the shore of the North river at the foot
view, you approach, and you can hardly imagine
a contingency in which theblended power of wave
and storm could overcome her mastery. She looks
like the ark, waiting for the rising of the waters,
ordained to ride over them, though there should come
deluge. Extraordinary as is the impression
which her great magnitude at first produces, there
is no doubt that it is modified by the exquisite
symmetry OF her proportions. International criti-
cism--sharpened by international rivalry-can
have nothing to object to the beauty and grace of
her long lines and curves, and it seems impossible
for mechanical ingenuity and talent to poise
mighty mass like her with greater buoyancy, or
shape it more deity to cleave the surges.
Ii you like exercise, you walk, or, being prudent,
you are driven up and down the quay, from end to
end of the great ship, before you 60 on board
Quite n colony OF mountebank Ks and showmen have
gathered themselves around the spot, and you have
black bears from California, growing to the music
of hurdy-gurdes, surrounded by liquor booths and
fountains that profess to distil saltwater. The
inevitable Barnum is there, too, in a of enor
nous posters, representing the Gigantic baby
only seven years old, and weighing some incredible
number Of pounds which must fall far short of the
reality II the counterfeit presentment of the little
giant, done in red, some four feet wide below the
waist, In any way comes near to nature.
Having completed your survey of the ship from
without, you enter by one of the stern-ports and
make your way from deck to deck, until YOU reach
the main one. Your idea of the vessel, as whole,
Is not complete, until you have mounted one of the
paddleboxes, or stood upon the bridy re which runs
between them, and taken in the immense length
and breadth before you at glance Six mighty
masts spread out their arms above you, and five
enormous smoke-stacks tell the tale of the volcano
within. Upon the deck, it seems to YOU that
regiment OF cavalry might manuuvre with freedom,
ana were it apparelled for war, you could not
imagine gallanter sight than such field, made
clear for action. Every one has learned from the
newspapers the actual dimensions of the ship and
the illustrated press has made the people, in our
remotest backwoods, familiar with the guise of
every thing notable on board shall not there
lore, attempt to give you any details. Indeed, |
paid but little attention to them myself, for to
study them thoroughly would be months labor
to an unscientifc man, and to understand them
without study were sheer impossibility. | con-
tented myself, therefore, with wandering hither
and thither chance led me, realizing as we'll as
could, by contrast with the largest vessels had
seen, the grand conception of Brunei and the vast
ness and magnificence of its execution. To look
into the immense machine rooms with uneducated
eyes, seems like taking liberties with Vulcans sane
tuary, and you bring away with YOU as if for pun
ishment, only huge images of shafts and rods
cranks, plates and ENTHUSIASTICALLY umbled
all together-beside the least of which the hupest
YOU have ever seen before seems merely rudimen-
tai and in miniature. The lofty and capacious "be
tween-deeks" and cavernous holds appear almost
sufficient of themselves to bear the imports of
season, while the spacious and magnificent Saloons
the ample staterooms, chamber and sitting room
combined, and the berths, commodous and COM
fortable-if anything of the kind can be comforta-
Die at sea-persuade you to doubt whether Cato
would not repent of his wise saw, could he but
visit her, and believe it no folly to go by water
when he could go by land.
About the 30th of the month, the Great Eastern
will make an excursion to Cape May, and will
doubtless be crowded. 1t ought to be charming
trip to those who have no oathiDg for salt water
L do not know what impression the ship produced
upon others, and it may be that the mishaps which
have attended her may have weakened confidence
IN her, among the timid and foreboding, but she
ertainly impresses me decidedly with the
idea OF perfect security than any thing l have
ever seen or dreamed of af1oat X