The Portland daily press., 1870-11-05

THE TRAVEL OF THE FUTURE.-In a re-
cent number of the Madras Times we find
this sketch of a. tour to be taken in January,
1890, by an impatient traveller from London
to Madras
4 Ist January, 1S90.-Arrived here yesterday
after rather rapid passage from London of
five days. Left London on the 26th of De-
cember for the Christmas holidays, in the
hope that scamper through India would be
beneficial to my health. Was advised to pro-
ceed by rail overland BY way of the Euphrates
valley, but considered that route too slow and
iatlSulng for my purposes. Preferred a sea
voyage also under medical advice. Took a
berth on board the Camilla, magnificent
vessel OF seven thousand tons burthen, one of
the ships of the great India and Oriental
company. Paid 45 for irst-,lass passage via
Egyptian canal to Suez. Was shameluy de-
layed ten minutes at Gravesend, while weigh
was got upon the Camilla by means of her
donkey electrical engine. Mem. to complain
to the company on this point) Once under
weigh, engine put out of gear and the Camilla
proceeded on her voyage, her SIX pair OF pad
de-wheels worked by her motion through the
water. Slow work at first, but speed with
each mile faster and faster. Passed
across the Bay of Biscay at the rate
of from one hundred to two hundred
knots an hour. In the evening some one
said, 'there's Malta" LooBed up from
book was reading, but was told the island
was already one hundred and fifty miles
astern. Beautiful moonlight night on the
Mediterranean. Conversation with the cap
tain. Observed upon the velocity of our
speed, noticing that although our vessel was
heavily laden her keel only skinned the wa
ter as consequence of our tremendous pro-
gress. The skipper declared there was no
danger, and explained the beautiful but COM
plicated electrical cOntrlvance by which the
vessel can be stopped almost instantaneously.
Next morning entered the Egyptian canal
the ship going one thousand knOts an hour.
Could see nothing of it as we were at Sliez in
an instant of time. Was told that the canal
was ten miles broad and three hundred feet
deep. Pity poor old Lesseps could not have
lived to this day to see the success of that
project at which an incredulous world laugh
ed twenty years ago. Stopped at Suez with
out difficulty, but the dizziness produced by
the ship turning for half an hour on pivot
with extreme rapidity very disagreeable. To
avoid the notorious heat of the Red Sea, took
a berth on board the submarine compaDy's
vessel AlbecOre, three thousand tons burden.
This ship is shaped upon the lines of fish,
and bears striking resemblance to an enor-
nous dolphin. The locomotive power is in
Ine Tall, Wnlcn Is worked IN precisely the
same manner as a fish tail by electricity. She
has electrical fins, also of wroughG iron, and
her speed is about one hundred and fifty
knots an hour. All the passengers on board
the Albecore were sunk ten fathoms beneath
the water, when we got under way without
more ado. Very cool, but no daylight. As
the ship was splendidly lighted with the
electric light, this, however, did not much
matter. Felt rather nervous at the idea of
collisions il this crowded sea, but was told
there was no danger. At Alden in the afternoon.
Anxious to sec Abyssinia, where twenty years
ago we had an expensive kind of little war,
took seat on the African atmospheric rail
way to Magdala Greatly pleased with the
highlands of Abyssinia. Returned by atmos.
pheric rail to Alden, and took berth in the
electrical aerial mail balloon which sails to all
parts of the east every ten minutes. Found
the accomodation very superior, only ninety
passengers beside myself. Rose seven thou
sand feet above the earth to get clear of foul
winds, then brought our electrical engines in
to play, when the enormous fans worked
beautifully, driving us through space at the
rate OF two hundred miles an hour. Over
Ceylon In the evening, where we descended
10 transfer passengers. AT Gall took anoth-
er aerial mail to Madras, where landed yes
terday evening" much pleased with the rapidi-
tv OF my trip from London.