Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1868-04-01
LETTER FROM EUROPE.
Koppen PIatZ.

Editor Chronicle Pardon me for not
having fulfilled my promise sooner
We have been in Berlin almost six
months already, and so engaged in my
studies have l been, that this Is the
first opportunity 1 have had to drop
the promised line. Well, l suppose
you would like to hear, among other
things, something of our ocean ride.
On the beautiful afternoon Of August
10, 1867, find myself and family on
board the magni6cenv steamer Gin.
bria, Hamburg line. booked, bag and
baggage for Hamburg. Germany.
The clock strikes one boom, goes
the great gun. We understand its voice.
We dare not disobey its command A
shrill Teutonic voice cries-"aA ashore" "
Then follows taking leave Of friends
and dear ones, while "God bless, pre-
serve, and bring you all back in health
to your native shores" breaks for the
last time. warm from the hearts of those
we value most dear Anchor weighed,
sails spread, revolution of the screw,
and away we glide down New York's
beautiful bay, into old Atlantic's broad
waters. Soon the last wave of the last
handkerchief disappers; friends on
shore soon grow less and still less
They have receded from sight. / look
around, the tear is breaking from the
eyes Of more than one stout heart. |
love to sec it stealing down that honest
| looking German face. 1t tells me there
is 8 good, kind heart back of those hon
est expressions of attachment and affec-
tion.
But soon the great metropolis of our
dear native land is but the dim outline
of great city. Soon it sinks behind
the crystal waters. All has vanished.
The green earth, with all her beauty
and her life, has passed like a dream
away. We are veritsbly on the bosom
Of the ''GreQt Deep" But we feel per-
fectly safe, as our noble ship, eomman-
ded by the oldest and said-to-be, most
experienced Captain of the line, and
manned by one of the most faithful
crews that ever faced ocean storm, car
ries us most delightfully."- over the CLASSY
surface of old Neptuue's domains.
But as we promenade the deck, feast
I ing our eyes on our first sunset scene
on the ocean, an indescribable sensa-
ton, premonitory of thatindescribsble
something termed Sea-SickHsss, of which
l had heard so much, and from which
l was beginning to fondly dream should
go scot-free-commanded me, in un-
mistakable language, to the amase-
ment of Mrs. L. and her lady compan-
ion, to beat a most hssty retreat to my
state room, where ejaculation after
ejaculation, not in praise of Neptune,
the Nereids, life at sea, or any thing
else, but to the disDaragsmsHt of good
dinner, soon convinced me / was the
victim of a most relentless SCI sickness.
Here am slowed away in my bunk,
afraid TO move lest l yorrick insides
and all into the ocean, while others are
on deck laughing at my expense, and
enjoying the beauty Of this beautiful
eve, was not an unfrequent exclama-
tion-mentaL of course, for | was afraid
to open nv mouth, lest l should be
obliged to repeat the same process
But was not always to be laughed off
deck. Soon released, took my posi-
ton as high up and as bold as ever
l expected some salute from the bal
ance of the party, but no, not a word J
What's the matter? It's soon explain
ed by a sudden spring from their seats,
and rush toward the state-rooms.-I
Anxious to witness the scene, follow,
and, to my astonishment, / must con
fess they surpassed my best efforts to
enunciate according to the stadard Of
Nauti Lexicogrsphy, the most diff
cult inteIjections, and in q few minutes,
they too were of the number that had
given their last American dinner to the
sea monsters, and l assure you they
had my sincerest sympathy and my
unremitting attentions, for all which |
was as certainly remunerated by very
many expressions of most cordial
thanks. On all future occasions, when
summoned to cast up accounts with old
Ocean, 1 was not laughed at. Our SYM
pathies had become mutual on this
point.
After we had got out several hundred
miles from land, bnt few signs OF life
appeared. Occasionally passing stea-
mer, a merchantman, sslutes US. We
sit on deck, and see nought but the
great round ocean rolling on and ever
on. The sight is monotonous. Messrs
Whale and Porpoise, deign to come
near enough once or twice, to say, 10
their peculiar arlangusge-"whenoe came
ye-whither bound" then away TO
their watery retreats. Of course, we
crafty their curiosity, pay our most
respectful compliments, and pass on.
The Newfoundland coast passed, the
monotony is somewhat relieved by
little wind and rain, and an occasional
swell, Just strong enough to make our
mammoth boat rock at an angle Of 45',
and estop all pedestrian efforts. OBJ
serving our good natured old Captain
amused at my fruitless efforts to pre-
serve a proper equilibrium, remarked,
Captain, this is a heavy sea, great gale,
strong swell-more of the rough than
| like. "Hai Ha no sea, no swell,
no rcughness, no gale-only a little
tresk-best of sailing. must chow you
a storm before take you toland, then
you eau say rough, heavy sea, &c. Grand
I consolation for one expecting 3 little
different sympathy. A real jobs COM
forter thought 1, and that was the last
/ | had to say to him, sensibly conclud-
ing the old Captain, who has spent
forty wears of life on the ocean, Is the
last man to whom to complain OF gales,
ocean swells, &c But we pass on
Let the ship rock. We begin to enjoy
the motion, and as crested wave after
wave comes marching up, sweeping over
and on in ceaseless succession, until
the whole ocean, as far as eve can reach,
looks like g great plain of snow-capped
rocks, fising and falling with every in
spiration and expiration of the great
deep-the prospect is sublimely grand.
Column after column, battalion after
battalion, they sweep on and on, as II
in pursuit of the flying foe, until they
are lost in the watery distance; and
while the whole deep seems to be strug-
Cling, like thing of life, to break forth
| from its troubled bed and flee away for
real rest. sit for hours watching the
fury of these contending foes, and
imagine can see beneath the oceans
deep troubled waters, Myraid hearts
with their treasures of affection and
burdens of hate, their deep secrets and
their proving cares, their bright hopes
and their dark fears-all pressing for
ward to behold that great day, when
the sea shall give up the dead Won
derful ocean Terribly sublime emblem
of omnipotent power
We are now within sight of Old Eng
lands coast. We are in the ehdHnsL.-
We have reached the Isle of Wight,
landing for Southampton. Johnny Is
out in full force and rig. 1t is 4 a. m.
The GUN has sounded forth our arrival