The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-10-28
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Letter from Rev. G. Nash Morton.
STEAMSHIP SOUTH AMERICA,
AuOust Dist IS6S

STEAMSHIP SOUTH AMERICA,
August Dist, 1868.
Editor Central Presbyterian
One can hardly find any thing of general in
terest to write about on board of ship
Morning and nght-breakfas lunch and din.
ner-a smooth sea, gale-a strong bird
distant sail, make up the small variety and
endless sound Of a long sea-voyage. Yet now
and then monotony is broken by some inter-
esting story of travel and adventure, some ami.
mated discussion, the landing at some port
IF you will allow me to talk on in familiar
strain without any effort to arrange my mate
rial, or to have beginning, middle, or end to
my letter, l will tell you what has occurred
since leaving New York.
was accused, while in the above named
city, of being true Virginan in my careless
disregard of the value of time. The ship on
which | had taken passage was advertised to
sail at II NJ, on Monday. A gentleman, on
taking leave of me on Saturday, begged me to
remember that IL o'clock, in New York, was
u o'clock, high noon With this timely eau
ton, | endeavored to be in place, and was
comfortably on board few minutes after eev-
en-. At the hour named we loosed from Pier
43. North River-our cannon fired farewell
and our prov was turned toward the open sea.
This is now the eighth day of our voyage, and
more beautiful weather could not be wished.
For the first two or three days the sea was
scarcely ruf1ed into wave. The old sailors
said it was as smooth as fsh-pond-a rather
strong hyperbole to landsman like me-
When we struck the Southeast trade winds in
North latitude about 800, the breeze blew stiff
" enough to raise few white capped mounds
here and there. Although we are now as far
South as latitude lS0, have not felt uncom.
fortably warm in wooden clothes Nothing
could be more delightful than the atmosphere.
You could hardly call it warm or COOL 1t is
lust pleasant In the shade, there is no per-
ceptible variation of the temperature, day or
night. You can sit half the night in the open
air, and feel no chilling or benumbing effects
whatever. As closely built as a ship is, it is
necessarily warm in the cabins and state-rooms.
Persons going South from the Eastern coast of
the United States should endeavor, therefore,
to secure berth on the left hand side of the
ship. They will thus have the benefit of the
trade winds.
The passengers ON our ship, as on other
ships doubtless, lounge about, eat, smoke
read. talk, and two or three of them engage
occasionally in playing cards. lido my portion
of all these, barring the smoking and card
nlaving. do not know how it is with Others
but with me, it is next to impossible to do
ANYTHING like studying under the influence of
the motion of steamboat or railroad car. I
therefore, do vast amount of n,using. Nv
favorite position for this INDECENT kind of occu-
nation is on deck, at the stern of the shin
There | can sit as long as | please, and watch
the foam playing like soft network over the
dark underground of the seattle long white
road stretching far away homeward, growing
less and less distinct until away off there, near
est to those whom we have left behind, the
;ealous sea has wiped out our path and re-
sumed its trackless sway Now lie down on
NV hack and gaze up into the blue sky, and
follow with my eyes the passing cloud flakes
which are perhaps gathering the store for re-
fresbing showers in my native land. And at
evening | turn to watch the gorgeous cloud
cities niled in the West, with hill, and castle,
and tower, and streets of FURNISHED gold, fall
ing soon like the prouder fabrics of men, into
ipdistipguishable heaps And the stars come
forth. and the moon throws her sheen upon
the waters. Now, have spread out before
me, for contemplation and for wonder, some
of Gods grandest works, the moon and the
stars which he has made, and the mighty ocean
whose proud waves he alone can stay. And
the thought will steal across my mind-a
thought filled with comfort and with hope
that this superb weather, these gentle Winds
and calm seas, are answers to the prayers of
the dear Christian people at home, who are