The Portland daily press., 1868-11-17
Notes by the Way.
LONDONDERRY Ireland, Oct. 26, 1868.

LONDONDERRY Ireland, Oct. 20, 1868.
To the Editor Of the Press:
I arrived at this city this morning, having
made the passage from Quebec in few hours
over eight days running time. We had
strong westerly winds during the whole pas
sage, which made the sea quite rough, and
kept many of the passengers, myself among
the number, seasick most of the time The
steamers sailing from the st. awrenee cross
those from New York. 1t shortens the pas
sage, but at this season of the year makes it
cold and uncomfortable.
My experiences on first voyage across
the Atlantic, were probably like many others
who have so often written and described
them. We had nothing outside of the steam
er and its company to attract our attention
A solitary iceberg upon the Labrador coast.
and two spouting whales in the Gulf of ST.
Lawrence, was all that we saw upon the
broad expanse of waters. Not a sail did we
see on the whole passage. The rolling ocean
with its white capped waves sparkling in the
sunbeams was the one monotonous prospect
on which we looked during the voyage.
On board, for those who could enjoy it
there was amusement and comfort. We had
about forty cabin passengers, six or eight of
them being ladies, most of them officers of
the English army in Canada going home on
turlough. There were about a hundred in
valid and discharged soldiers in the steerage,
many of them having families, in all about
four hundred souls. The cuisine of the ship
was all that might be expected, mainly con-
sisting of the substantials of food, suited to
the tastes of those whose apretites were good.
Seasick passengers would have been gratified
by few of the little niceties which are 50
refreshing to the palate that rejects other
food. On the two Sundays, religious services
were held in the saloon. The soldiers were
mustered on deck and inspected, and then
marched into the saloon, where the cabin
passengers as many Of those in the steerage
as wished to attend and the officers and crew
of the steamer were assembled, a congregation
OF over two hundred. The solemn liturgy of
the church of England was read by the sur
geon, and with the assistance of a fire piano
and some good voices both of ladies and gen.
tlemen from among the passengers the IN
terest OF the service was greatly increased Dy
the chanting of the glorious "Ie Deum," and
the SINGING of the Tooth Psalm, "With one
consent let all the earth, %c.
The steamer arrived at Morrille ON the
rough Foyle, eighteen miles below Derry this
morning at o'clock. The mails and passen-
gers were transferred to tender, and we
came up to the city. 1 have busted myself
during the day in visiting the various places
of interest in this famous old town. The
place contains population of about 10000
inhabitants; is very pleasantly situated on
the river Foyle, is well built, (although many
of the buildings have very antiquated ap-
pearance) lighted and paved. 1t is in the
county of Londonderry, is the center of a rich
agricultural district, and has large export
trade Manufacturs and other branches of
industry are making it place OF Importance.
1t occupies an important part in the history
of Ireland, by the famed defence of its in
habitants against the French and Irish army